PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vito Scaletta (ranked 416 p4p, 64 weight class) and Alexander Usikov (ranked 1365 p4p, 183 weight class). Scaletta comes to the cage accompanied by i kill cause im hungry. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Scaletta
vs
Usikov

181 cm
34
184 lbs
25 - 10 - 1

175 cm
38
195 lbs
20 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vito Scaletta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usikov wants to clinch but Scaletta slips to the side
and Scaletta connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Usikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Scaletta circles away from the clinch attempt
and Scaletta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A shot to the liver by Scaletta. Beautiful body shot.
Scaletta smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Usikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Scaletta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Usikov.
A clash of legs there as Scaletta blocks the low kick.
Usikov throws a sloppy head kick and Scaletta moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Usikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Scaletta has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Scaletta and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
It looked like Scaletta was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Usikov.
Usikov tries to clinch up
and Scaletta cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Usikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Usikov lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scaletta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Usikov tries to clinch up.
Scaletta swats away the attempt to clinch by Usikov.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Usikov.
Usikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Scaletta off the cage and back into range.
Usikov misses with an uppercut
and Scaletta counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Usikov moves away from the strike by Scaletta.
Usikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice cross by Usikov.
Scaletta lands with a right hand.
Usikov tries to clinch but Scaletta moves away
and Scaletta counters with a nice low kick that buckles Usikov's knee momentarily.
Scaletta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Usikov.
Usikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Scaletta counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Scaletta is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Usikov slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Scaletta lands with an uppercut that bounces Usikov off the cage and back into range.
Scaletta throws a hook to the side of Usikov's head but Usikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A lazy body kick from Usikov
and Scaletta counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Usikov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Usikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Usikov works Scaletta's body with a nice hook.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.
Scaletta looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Usikov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Usikov pushes Scaletta away with a front kick.
Scaletta keeps the fight on the outside.
Usikov throws a leg kick but Scaletta sees it coming and moves out of range.
Scaletta lands a nice looking body shot.
Scaletta tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick from Usikov lands but Scaletta takes it in his stride.
Scaletta throws a low kick but Usikov moves out of range easily.
Usikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta looks to land a combination. Usikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Usikov tries to clinch but Scaletta is having none of it.
Usikov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Usikov tries to clinch up
and Scaletta counters with a nice uppercut.
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Scaletta.
Usikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Usikov stuns Scaletta with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Scaletta scores with a nice right hand.
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little feinted left hand from Scaletta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Scaletta just misses with a punch to the body.
Usikov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Scaletta.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Scaletta paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Usikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Scaletta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Usikov.
Usikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Scaletta looks to land a right hand but Usikov moved out of range.
Scaletta throws a hook but Usikov avoids it easily.
Scaletta defending well as Usikov loads up on a big left hand.
Scaletta misses with a straight left.
Usikov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Scaletta doesn't seem bothered though.
Scaletta staying out of range there.
It looked like Scaletta wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Usikov moves in looking to clinch but Scaletta pushes him off.
Scaletta was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Usikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Scaletta throws an overhand right that lands on Usikov's shoulder, as Usikov tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Usikov cracks a nice hook into Scaletta's ribs.
Usikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Scaletta throws a combination. Usikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Usikov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vito Scaletta dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Usikov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Usikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Scaletta misses the target.
Scaletta has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Usikov throws the left hand but Scaletta avoids the punch easily.
Scaletta misses with a hook. Usikov ducked under it nicely.
Usikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Decent striking displayed by Scaletta there.
Scaletta takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Scaletta avoids a kick to the body.
Usikov throws a series of punches but Scaletta avoids them all with ease.
Scaletta with a hook.
Usikov throws a lazy body kick
and Scaletta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Usikov misses with a right hand
letting Scaletta counter with a right hand.
Usikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Scaletta.
Scaletta scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Scaletta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Usikov can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scaletta takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Scaletta misses with a hook.
Scaletta lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Scaletta looks to land a left hand but Usikov moved out of range nicely.
Usikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Scaletta is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Scaletta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Scaletta is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Usikov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Scaletta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Usikov slips under a jab from Scaletta.
Usikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Scaletta has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Usikov slips a jab from Scaletta.
Scaletta uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Usikov.
Usikov misses with a looping left.
Usikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov moves out of range as Scaletta throws a body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Usikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Usikov closes the distance and clinches.
Usikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Scaletta misses with a hook to the ribs.
Usikov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Usikov prevents Scaletta from breaking the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Scaletta avoiding damage as Usikov throws knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Scaletta.
Usikov landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Usikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Scaletta is defending well for now.

Scaletta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Crunch! Usikov slams his shin into Scaletta's torso.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Usikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Scaletta moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Usikov throws a big shot that misses.
Scaletta was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Usikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Scaletta misses with the head strike.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Scaletta scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Scaletta misses with some punches.
Scaletta misses with a hook to the ribs.
Scaletta just leaning against Usikov, taking a breather.
Scaletta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A hook to the body from Scaletta.
Scaletta lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Usikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Usikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Scaletta.
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Scaletta has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Usikov keeps control of Scaletta as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Scaletta on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Scaletta blocks an elbow strike from Usikov.

Scaletta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Usikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Scaletta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Scaletta tries to land a leg kick but Usikov saw it coming and moves away.
Usikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Scaletta.
Scaletta throws a low kick but Usikov moves out of range easily.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Usikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Usikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexander Usikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Usikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Scaletta checks it well.
A big left from Usikov misses.
Usikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Scaletta.
Usikov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Usikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Scaletta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.
Scaletta slips under a jab.
Usikov throws out a leg kick but Scaletta moves out of range and Usikov only half commits.
A little feinted left hand from Scaletta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Usikov connects with a high kick.

Usikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Scaletta lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scaletta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Scaletta gets through Usikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Usikov stalling in the clinch but Scaletta improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Scaletta is blocking nicely.
Usikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Scaletta scores with a shot to the side of Usikov's head.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Scaletta misses with a punch on the inside.
Usikov blocking some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Scaletta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov blocking some punches.
Scaletta tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Usikov obliges.
Scaletta avoiding damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Usikov.
Scaletta tries to work over Usikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Usikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Usikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Scaletta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Usikov misses with a looping left.
Scaletta swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Usikov tries to clinch
and Scaletta counters with a one-two to the body.
Scaletta keeps the fight on the outside.
Scaletta misses the jab.
Usikov wants to clinch
and Scaletta counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Usikov pushes Scaletta up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Usikov.
Scaletta lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Scaletta tries a body shot but Usikov blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Scaletta.
Scaletta lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Scaletta has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Scaletta.
Scaletta is struggling to control the position.
Scaletta has a couple of punches blocked by Usikov.
A head punch on the inside from Scaletta fails to land.
Scaletta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Scaletta misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Scaletta.
Scaletta scores with a shot to the side of Usikov's head.
Scaletta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Scaletta is trying to break free.
Usikov landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov landing knees to the head.
Scaletta misses with a hook to the ribs.
Usikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov scores with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Scaletta blocks with his arms.
Scaletta pushes Usikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Scaletta lands a nice shot to the body.
Scaletta misses with the head strike.
Usikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Usikov.
Usikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Scaletta gets an underhook and turns Usikov into the cage.
Usikov with a knee to the head.
Scaletta goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Scaletta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Usikov.
I think Usikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Usikov!
Alexander Usikov was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
The defeated Vito Scaletta had this to say: 'You know when we first started out, I thought I was gonna be the biggest, baddest wiseguy in the world'.