PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wasyl Plutov (ranked 1558 p4p, 176 weight class) and Garrick Head (ranked 1676 p4p, 191 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Plutov
vs
Head

178 cm
30
155 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

157 cm
39
154 lbs
25 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wasyl Plutov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Garrick Head!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Plutov shoots for a takedown but Head saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Head fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Plutov.
Head swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Head lands a jab to the nose.
Head goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Plutov moves into the clinch successfully.
Head wants to break the clinch but can't.

Head escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Plutov slips under a jab from Head.

Plutov forces Head back against the cage and clinches.
Plutov tries to work over Head's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Head wants to break the clinch but can't.
Plutov lands with a light punch inside.
Head has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Plutov scores with a shot to the side of Head's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Head is trying to break the clinch but Plutov has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Plutov.
Head dodges an elbow strike from Plutov.
Plutov looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Head.
Plutov lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head is trying to force a seperation but Plutov has the dominant position.
Plutov prevents Head from breaking the clinch.
Plutov prevents Head from breaking the clinch.

Head breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - Head throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Plutov fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Head's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Head works Plutov's body with a nice hook.
Plutov tries to clinch there but Head circles away.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Head has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Head looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A slow jab from Head misses its intended target.
Garrick Head seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Plutov wants to clinch.
Head swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Head throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Plutov's head.
Head with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Head throws a right and a left that both miss.
Head throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Head throws a solid leg kick but Plutov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Head.
Plutov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Head fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Plutov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Head tests Plutov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Plutov checks a low kick from Head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Head.
Head lands a right hook to the body.
Plutov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Plutov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Head misses with an uppercut.

Head clinches with his opponent.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Plutov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Plutov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Head escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Plutov blocks a low kick nicely.
Plutov closes the distance and clinches up with Head, looking for a takedown. Plutov pushes Head against the cage but Head circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Plutov ducks under a wild hook from Head.
Plutov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Head takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plutov slips a jab from Head.
Plutov is looking to counter the offense by Head and move into the clinch.
Head swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Head clinches up against the cage.
Plutov has Head pushed against the cage.
Head wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Plutov has him pressed against the cage.
Head is trying to push Plutov away but Plutov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A left hand lands to the body for Plutov.
Plutov scores with a shot to the side of Head's head.

Head's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Plutov moves in looking to clinch but Head pushes him off.
Plutov tries to clinch up.
Plutov shoots in looking for a takedown. Head tries to sprawl out of it but Plutov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Head manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wasyl Plutov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Plutov tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Plutov moves in looking to clinch but Head pushes him off.
Plutov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Plutov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Head.
Head goes for a double leg but Plutov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Plutov continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov avoids the head kick by Head.
Plutov tries to clinch up.
Plutov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Head misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Plutov.
Head is looking to slow Plutov down with leg kicks.
We've been told by Plutov's head coaches at Roosters Coop that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Head misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Plutov misses with a straight right.

Head closes the distance and pushes Plutov back into the cage.

Head breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fighters circling - Head throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big left from Head misses.
Plutov shoots in looking for a takedown but Head manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Plutov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Head misses with a hook.

Head has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Head blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Head wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Plutov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Plutov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Head wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garrick Head dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Plutov lands with a shot to the body.
Head misses with a two punch combination.
A punch combination from Head misses.
Plutov tries to clinch but Head moves out of range.
Head has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Plutov keeps the fight on the outside.

Plutov rushes Head and presses him up against the cage.
Head can't break the clinch.

Head pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Head misses with a looping left.
Plutov is looking to counter the offense by Head and move into the clinch.
Plutov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Head.
Plutov tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Plutov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Plutov defending well as Head loads up on a big left hand.
Head takes a swing at Plutov's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Head lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Garrick Head seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Head scores with a jab. Plutov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Head is looking to land body kicks.
Head swings away with a leg kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Head throws a right and a left that both miss.

Plutov instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Plutov lands with a right to the head.
Head wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wasyl Plutov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Head has had enough of the clinch but Plutov keeps him there for the moment.

Head breaks the clinch.
Head throws a hook but Plutov blocks it.
Head keeps Plutov at a distance using the push kick.
Plutov is looking to clinch but Head is avoiding it.
Head throws a body shot but no joy.
Plutov avoids the body shot from Head.
Head misses with a hook

and Plutov counters by moving into the clinch.
Plutov prevents Head from breaking the clinch.
Plutov stalling the fight.
Plutov taking a breather.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Head.
Head is trying to break the clinch but Plutov has him pressed against the cage.
Plutov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Head's efforts to push away.
Head blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Head is trying to force a seperation but Plutov has the dominant position.
Plutov lands a nice uppercut.
Head takes an elbow to the forehead.

Head's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
Plutov tries to clinch but Head is having none of it.
Head throws the kick towards the body but Plutov avoids it.
The fighters circling - Head throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Head throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Plutov.
Head misses with an uppercut. Plutov saw that one coming.
Plutov is looking to clinch but Head is avoiding it.
It seemed like Head was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Plutov moves out of range as Head throws a body kick.
Plutov avoids a punch combination nicely.

Head gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Plutov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Head is looking to stand back up but Plutov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Plutov decides to stand and escape the position.
Plutov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Head misses with a straight right.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Head paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Head, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch but Head swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Plutov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Head manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Head lands with a cross.
Head throws a looping overhand right but Plutov ducks down to avoid it.
Head with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Plutov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Head misses the target.
Plutov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Plutov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Plutov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Head on the side of the head.
Plutov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Head fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Head circles away from the clinch attempt.
Plutov moves forwards but Head connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Plutov takes one to the side of the head.
Head scores with a punch to the head.
Head jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Plutov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A jab from Head misses.
Wasyl Plutov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Head misses with a takedown attempt

and Plutov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Plutov.

Head manages to break the clinch.

Plutov clinches up with Head and pushes him back against the cage.
A short left from Head.
A frustrated look appears on Head's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Head has had enough of the clinch but Plutov keeps him there for the moment.
Plutov pushes Head back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Head breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Head lands a nice hook to Plutov's body. Plutov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garrick Head showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Head swats away the attempt to clinch by Plutov.
Head swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Plutov closes the distance and pushes Head back into the cage.

Head manages to break the clinch.
Head connects with the punch.
Head throws a hook but Plutov blocks it.

Plutov closes the distance and clinches.
Plutov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Head tries to break free but Plutov pushes him back against the cage.
Plutov stalling in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Head.
Head wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Plutov has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plutov misses with a punch to the body.
Head misses with the head strike.

Head manages to break the clinch.
No joy there for Head, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Plutov blocks a jab.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Head swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A punch lands to the side of Plutov 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Plutov manages to avoid it.
As Head tries to get set, Plutov tries to push him back and clinch up but Head manages to avoid the attempt.
Plutov throws a head kick that misses.
Plutov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Head paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Head fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Plutov wants to clinch up but Head keeps it at a distance.
Head throws a low kick but it's checked well by Plutov.
Plutov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch but Head swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Head scores with a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Head.
Plutov is looking to clinch but Head is avoiding it.
Plutov is looking to clinch.
Head throws a hook but Plutov blocks it.
Head connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Plutov tries to clinch but Head moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Plutov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Head's jab looks to have found its range, popping Plutov under the eye.
Head is looking to clinch.
Plutov is looking to clinch.
Head takes a swing at Plutov's ribcage but misses.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch but Head swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Head drives through and clinches with Plutov against the cage.
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!
Head blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Wasyl Plutov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Plutov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A head punch on the inside from Plutov fails to land.

Head escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Plutov is looking to clinch.
Head waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Plutov.
Plutov throws a counter high kick but Head was just alert enough to avoid it.
Plutov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Head finds it's way round the side to connect with Plutov's head.
Plutov tries to clinch but Head moves out of range.
Head avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Head misses with an attempted mid kick.

Plutov moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plutov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Head wants to get back to striking at distance but Plutov won't allow it.
Head tries to break free but Plutov pushes him back against the cage.
Head is trying to break the clinch but Plutov has him pressed against the cage.
Head stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Head's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Head as Plutov tries to tie him up.
Head has had enough of the clinch but Plutov keeps him there for the moment.

Head manages to break the clinch.
Head looks to land a body kick but Plutov moved away.
Plutov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Head connects with a body shot.
Plutov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Plutov moves out of range of the strikes.
Head fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Head misses with a leg kick.
Plutov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Head avoids it really well and circles away.
Plutov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Plutov throws a head kick but Head moves out of range.
Head throws a head kick that misses.
Garrick Head is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Plutov misses with a hook.

Plutov takes the fight into the clinch.
Plutov prevents Head from breaking the clinch.

Head manages to break the clinch.
Head throws a big shot that misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Head. Plutov shrugs it off though.
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!
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch but Head swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Head swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Head showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Plutov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garrick Head comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Head winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garrick Head!
During a confident post fight interview, Garrick Head thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.