PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Usikov (ranked 610 p4p, 83 weight class) and Dean Wesson (ranked 689 p4p, 92 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Wesson's choice of entrance music: In Your Honor - Foo Fighters. Alexander Usikov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Dean Wesson's chin.

Usikov
vs
Wesson

175 cm
36
195 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

182 cm
31
201 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Wesson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wesson throws a leg kick but Usikov moved away.
A big left from Wesson misses.
Wesson misses with a straight left.
Usikov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Wesson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Wesson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Usikov tried to counter with a leg kick but Wesson avoided it.
Wesson swings for the body but Usikov moves out of range.
Wesson misses with a head kick.
Usikov cracks Wesson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Usikov tries to clinch
and Wesson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Usikov tries to work over Wesson's front leg with a kick but Wesson checks it.
Wesson scores with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wesson.
Dean Wesson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Usikov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wesson throws a big shot that misses.
Wesson chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wesson misses with a straight left.
Wesson misses with an uppercut.
Usikov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Wesson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jab by Wesson.
Wesson throws a head kick that misses
and Usikov counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circling - Wesson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wesson misses with a wild combination.
Usikov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Wesson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Usikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wesson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wesson scores with a jab.
Wesson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wesson wants to slow Usikov down by chopping away at his legs.
Wesson throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Wesson misses its intended target.
Usikov throws a quick counter head kick but Wesson was just out of range.
A clash of legs there as Wesson blocks the low kick.
Usikov wants to clinch
and Usikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wesson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Usikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Usikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wesson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Usikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Usikov misses with a low kick.
Wesson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Wesson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Usikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wesson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Usikov misses with a low kick.
Usikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wesson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Usikov tries to clinch up but Wesson circles away and keeps his distance.
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Wesson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice defenses there by Usikov.
Usikov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
The fighters circling - Wesson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wesson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wesson throws an off balance right hand
and Usikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Usikov lands a head kick!
Usikov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wesson looks to land a right hand but Usikov moved out of range.
Usikov is looking to counter the offense by Wesson and move into the clinch.
Usikov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A decent looking cross lands there for Usikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wesson looks to land a left hand but Usikov moved out of range nicely.
Usikov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Wesson manages to circle out of the way.
Wesson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Usikov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Wesson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Usikov throws the kick towards the body but Wesson avoids it.
Wesson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Usikov tests Wesson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wesson throws a poor cross that misses

and Usikov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Usikov blocks an elbow strike.
Usikov blocks an elbow strike.

Usikov connects with a massive knee from the clinch and Wesson goes down! Usikov jumps into full mount looking to finish!

Wesson is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Usikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wesson misses with a hook.

It looks like Dean Wesson has been cut.
Wesson throws a lazy right hand but Usikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Usikov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Wesson throws out a powerful jab.
Usikov misses with a looping left.
Wesson misses with a kick to the body.
Usikov tried to counter with a leg kick but Wesson avoided it.
Usikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wesson throws out the jab.
Nice shot lands for Wesson.
Usikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wesson.
Wesson looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wesson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Wesson misses with a double jab

and Usikov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Usikov.
I was talking to Usikov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Wesson wants to get back to striking at distance but Usikov won't allow it.
Wesson is trying to break the clinch but Usikov is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov lands an elbow inside.
Usikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wesson is defending well for now.
Wesson lands a left hand.
Wesson throws a head punch that misses.
Wesson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Usikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wesson blocks the elbow strike.

Wesson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wesson misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wesson. Usikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Usikov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Wesson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dean Wesson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Usikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wesson.
Wesson swings for the body but Usikov moves out of range.
As Wesson backs away, Usikov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Wesson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Wesson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov throws a hook but Wesson blocks it.
Wesson throws a hook to the side of Usikov's head but Usikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An attempted straight right counter from Usikov misses the target.
Wesson misses with an uppercut.
Wesson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wesson looks to land a right hand but Usikov moved out of range.
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wesson flicks out a counter leg kick but Usikov steps away.
Wesson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wesson misses with a straight left.
Wesson with a hook.
Wesson throws a wild body kick that Usikov sees coming a mile off.
Wesson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wesson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Usikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Wesson.
A slow jab from Usikov misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A low kick from Wesson is predictable there
and Usikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheers as Wesson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Usikov doesn't seem phased though.
Wesson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Usikov moves away.
Wesson misses with a looping left.
Usikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Usikov slips under a jab from Wesson.
Wesson misses the shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Wesson. Those never looked like landing.
Usikov tries to clinch up but Wesson circles away and keeps his distance.
Wesson missing with a left hand there. Usikov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Usikov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Wesson throws a poor cross that misses

and Usikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Usikov landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Wesson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander Usikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Wesson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usikov tries a body shot but Wesson blocks it.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wesson.

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Wesson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Wesson blocks with his arms.
Wesson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Wesson manages to break the clinch.
Usikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wesson. That did some damage!
Wesson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Usikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Wesson.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Usikov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Wesson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Usikov. Usikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wesson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Usikov throws a series of punches but Wesson moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dean Wesson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Wesson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wesson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wesson misses with a head kick.
Wesson with a nice cross.
Wesson misses with a low kick.
Usikov tries to clinch but Wesson moves away
and Wesson counters with a stiff right hand.
Usikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Wesson. Wesson obviously looking to wear him down.
A jab from Wesson misses.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Wesson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Wesson counters with a left to the body.
Wesson swings for the body but Usikov moves out of range.
Usikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Wesson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wesson swings for the body but Usikov moves out of range.
Usikov is looking to clinch but Wesson is avoiding it.
Wesson misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Usikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Usikov dodges the punch combination from Wesson.
Wesson looks to land a combination. Usikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A low kick from Wesson misses
and Usikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wesson throws a shot from downtown. Usikov moves away and avoids it.

Usikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wesson, pushing him back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Wesson throws an elbow but misses.
Wesson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wesson is trying to force a seperation but Usikov has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov missing with knees to the body.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Wesson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wesson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Usikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wesson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov moves away from the strike by Wesson.
Wesson misses with a wild body shot.
Wesson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wesson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Good work by Wesson as he checks the leg kick.
Usikov tries to clinch up.
Wesson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A big right from Wesson misses.
As Wesson tries to get set, Usikov tries to push him back and clinch up but Wesson manages to avoid the attempt.
Usikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wesson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wesson! But no joy.
Wesson misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Wesson punishes Usikov's body with a nice straight punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Usikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wesson slips under a jab from Usikov.
Wesson checks a low kick from Usikov.
Wesson lands a really nice looking cross but Usikov seems unphased.
Nice defenses there by Usikov.
Usikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Wesson.
A left lands for Usikov.
Wesson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Usikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Usikov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wesson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Wesson misses with a hook. Usikov ducked under it nicely.
Wesson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Usikov.
Wesson swinging wildly here.
Wesson lands a jab to the nose.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Usikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Wesson breaks from the clinch.
Wesson throws a lazy uppercut
and Usikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Wesson's knee momentarily.
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Wesson.
Usikov lands a leg kick that knocks Wesson off balance momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dean Wesson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wesson 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dean Wesson!
Dean Wesson thanked the fans post fight for their support.