PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Liam McCarthy (ranked 4711 p4p, 4996 weight class) and Aleksandr Kazachenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McCarthy
vs
Kazachenko

189 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
150
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Liam McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksandr Kazachenko!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kazachenko clinches with his opponent.
Kazachenko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kazachenko tries to work over McCarthy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kazachenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kazachenko trying to land knees to the body.
Kazachenko blocking some punches.
McCarthy throws a head punch that misses.
Kazachenko blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCarthy.
Kazachenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kazachenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards McCarthy's brow.
Nice body punch from Kazachenko - that landed with a thud.
Kazachenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazachenko is working McCarthy over against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from McCarthy fails to land.
Kazachenko tries to throw a body punch but McCarthy avoids it by throwing Kazachenko back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCarthy.
A short body shot lands from Kazachenko as the two fighters clinch.
McCarthy is breathing heavily.
Kazachenko misses with a punch to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Kazachenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Kazachenko as the two fighters clinch.
McCarthy blocks a body shot from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kazachenko has McCarthy pressed against the cage.
Kazachenko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The crowd are getting on Kazachenko's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Kazachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
Kazachenko working McCarthy over with knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Kazachenko.
Kazachenko tries to work over McCarthy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kazachenko lands a body punch.
Kazachenko cracks McCarthy with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Kazachenko.
McCarthy avoiding damage as Kazachenko throws knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Kazachenko as the two fighters clinch.
Kazachenko misses with a body punch.
The referee calls for Kazachenko to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazachenko tries to land knees in the clinch but McCarthy avoids the damage to the body.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Kazachenko.
McCarthy letting Kazachenko take a breather here.
McCarthy misses with the head strike.
Kazachenko lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Liam McCarthy has been cut.
Kazachenko misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kazachenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A body shot lands from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko lands a nice shot to the body.
McCarthy avoids a wild elbow strike from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko slowing the pace effectively.
Kazachenko is struggling to control the position.
McCarthy misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko slows down the pace here.
A right hand to the body from Kazachenko.
McCarthy working aggressively here.
Kazachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
Kazachenko misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from McCarthy fails to land.
Kazachenko taking a breather.
Kazachenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
McCarthy really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kazachenko lands a body shot.
Kazachenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt McCarthy or not.
Kazachenko can't find room to land a body shot as McCarthy controls the action.
Kazachenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. McCarthy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazachenko gets through McCarthy's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kazachenko slows down the pace here.
Kazachenko leaning against his opponent.
McCarthy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazachenko scores with a hook to the body.
A knee to the head by Kazachenko.
Kazachenko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazachenko gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kazachenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kazachenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McCarthy blocks a body shot from Kazachenko.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.
Kazachenko stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Kazachenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam McCarthy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kazachenko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McCarthy to the ground. Kazachenko is now in McCarthy's guard.
McCarthy is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kazachenko dives into side control.

Kazachenko has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

McCarthy gets tackled into the cage by Kazachenko. Kazachenko maintains the clinch.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazachenko is struggling to control the position.
Knees to the body from Kazachenko.
McCarthy misses with a punch on the inside.
Kazachenko misses with an elbow strike.
Kazachenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy throws a head punch that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kazachenko misses with a body punch.
Kazachenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
McCarthy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCarthy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCarthy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy throws a punch but it's blocked by Kazachenko.
Kazachenko misses with a body punch.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kazachenko struggles to land a body shot inside as McCarthy controls his hands.
McCarthy throws a head punch that misses.
Kazachenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A hook to the body from Kazachenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kazachenko digs a right hand into McCarthy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on McCarthy's gas tank.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kazachenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kazachenko is working McCarthy over against the cage.
McCarthy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kazachenko crunches a lovely knee into McCarthy's ribcage.
Kazachenko tries to land knees in the clinch but McCarthy avoids the damage to the body.
McCarthy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kazachenko can't find room to land a body shot as McCarthy controls the action.
McCarthy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazachenko pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kazachenko tries to throw a body punch but McCarthy avoids it by throwing Kazachenko back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazachenko leaning against his opponent.
Kazachenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kazachenko lands a body shot.
Kazachenko scores with a hook to the body.
Kazachenko scores with a knee to the head.
Kazachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
Kazachenko misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Kazachenko.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
Kazachenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kazachenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kazachenko effectively controlling the action here.
Kazachenko can't find room to land a body shot as McCarthy controls the action.
Kazachenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
Kazachenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
McCarthy throws a head punch that misses.
Kazachenko blocking some punches.
Kazachenko avoiding damage.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kazachenko blocking some punches.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
Kazachenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kazachenko lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazachenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Kazachenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam McCarthy's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kazachenko closes the distance and clinches.
Kazachenko misses with a body punch.
Kazachenko lands a shot to the body.
Kazachenko blocks an uppercut.
McCarthy working aggressively here.
McCarthy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kazachenko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kazachenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCarthy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kazachenko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazachenko is leaning against McCarthy and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kazachenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
A short right from Kazachenko.
A right hook to the body lands for Kazachenko.
Kazachenko tries a body shot but McCarthy blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazachenko lands a body punch.
Kazachenko lands an elbow inside.
Kazachenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kazachenko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kazachenko stalls.
Kazachenko receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Kazachenko is working McCarthy over against the cage.
Kazachenko avoiding damage.
Kazachenko lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.
Kazachenko pushes off an throws an elbow but McCarthy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McCarthy avoids the elbow strike from Kazachenko, against the cage.
Kazachenko lands an elbow inside.

Liam McCarthy's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy blocks a body shot from Kazachenko.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kazachenko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kazachenko lands a body punch in the clinch.
McCarthy managing to block the knees to the body from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko effectively controlling the action here.
Kazachenko tries to work over McCarthy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kazachenko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kazachenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kazachenko stalling in the clinch.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
Kazachenko lands a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Kazachenko.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kazachenko has McCarthy pressed against the cage.
McCarthy throws a punch but it's blocked by Kazachenko.
Kazachenko struggles to land a body shot inside as McCarthy controls his hands.
McCarthy being controlled against the cage.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kazachenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kazachenko struggles to land a body shot inside as McCarthy controls his hands.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kazachenko.
A head punch on the inside from McCarthy fails to land.
Kazachenko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kazachenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCarthy misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazachenko controlling the action here for a moment.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kazachenko.
McCarthy misses with a punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kazachenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards McCarthy's brow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kazachenko just misses with a elbow thrown towards McCarthy's brow.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Kazachenko.
Kazachenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kazachenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCarthy swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazachenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCarthy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aleksandr Kazachenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kazachenko just leaning against McCarthy, taking a breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandr Kazachenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kazachenko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Aleksandr Kazachenko!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Aleksandr Kazachenko!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Aleksandr Kazachenko!

Aleksandr Kazachenko wins by unanimous decision!