PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Serhey Rishkinov (ranked 34 p4p, 194 weight class) and Wally Kruschev (ranked 4 p4p, 27 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kruschev's choice of entrance music: Pissed Off and Mad About it (Texas Hippie Coalition). Serhey Rishkinov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rishkinov
vs
Kruschev

180 cm
28
175
23 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
173
15 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Shadow Warrior Nutrition

Core Combat
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Serhey Rishkinov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wally Kruschev!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rishkinov checks a leg kick nicely.
Rishkinov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kruschev.
Kruschev misses with a looping left.
Rishkinov misses with a body kick.
Rishkinov throws a shot from downtown. Kruschev moves away and avoids it.
Kruschev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rishkinov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kruschev tries to land a body kick

and Rishkinov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kruschev won't be happy with that.
Rishkinov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Kruschev tries to buck Rishkinov off but Rishkinov is having none of it.
Kruschev dodges the ground and pound from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov scores with punches from side control.
Rishkinov is trying to ground and pound but Kruschev uses the momentary lack of control by Rishkinov to regain half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kruschev taking some punishment here, with Rishkinov in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov is looking to advance position but Kruschev won't allow it.
Rishkinov working the head and body with strikes.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rishkinov working Kruschev over with strikes.
Rishkinov working Kruschev over with strikes.
Rishkinov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kruschev is refusing to be controlled, as Rishkinov sits in half guard.
Kruschev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rishkinov scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rishkinov lands a nice short elbow.
Kruschev has his hands clasped together around Rishkinov's back. He's all about the action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rishkinov connects with a nice short shot to Kruschev's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Rishkinov is trying to work for a kimura but Kruschev is defending well.
Kruschev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kruschev is not content to let Rishkinov control the position.
Rishkinov throwing shots but Kruschev is blocking nicely.
Rishkinov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rishkinov stops Kruschev from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kruschev is defending against the submission attempts here by Rishkinov.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kruschev is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rishkinov throwing shots but Kruschev is blocking nicely.
Kruschev regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov postures up in Kruschev's guard and throws a big left but Kruschev blocks it.
Rishkinov throwing strikes from guard but Kruschev blocks nicely.
Rishkinov throws a big elbow that misses.
Rishkinov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rishkinov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kruschev's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rishkinov lands a couple of digs.
Kruschev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rishkinov is one step ahead there.
Rishkinov won't allow Kruschev to get back to his feet.
Rishkinov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rishkinov landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kruschev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rishkinov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov dominated that round.
That's time! Rishkinov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kruschev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Serhey Rishkinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kruschev wants to land a leg kick but Rishkinov is out of range.
Rishkinov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jab, jab by Rishkinov - just one landing.
Rishkinov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kruschev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kruschev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Rishkinov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kruschev to the ground. Rishkinov is now in Kruschev's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kruschev pulls Rishkinov in close to his closed guard and prevents Rishkinov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kruschev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rishkinov works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rishkinov looking to sit in guard and control but Kruschev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kruschev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rishkinov, up you get!
Rishkinov misses with a head kick.
Kruschev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kruschev there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rishkinov scores with a punch to the head.
Rishkinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Rishkinov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kruschev, pushing him back against the cage.
Kruschev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rishkinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kruschev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rishkinov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rishkinov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rishkinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruschev's elbow.
Kruschev lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruschev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kruschev lands a hook that snaps the head of Rishkinov backwards.
Rishkinov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rishkinov presses Kruschev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rishkinov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kruschev misses with some punches.
Rishkinov has Kruschev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kruschev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rishkinov tries to throw a body punch but Kruschev avoids it by throwing Rishkinov back against the cage.

Kruschev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rishkinov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rishkinov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kruschev counters with a straight right hand.
Kruschev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov misses with a left hand
and Kruschev counters with a two punch combo.
Kruschev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kruschev thuds his shin into the meat of Rishkinov's side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kruschev counters with a nice uppercut.
Rishkinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kruschev can do to turn this around?
Rishkinov misses with a body shot.
Kruschev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rishkinov throws out the jab.
Kruschev lands a leg kick that knocks Rishkinov off balance momentarily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kruschev 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 Rishkinov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rishkinov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rishkinov defending well as Kruschev loads up on a big left hand.
Rishkinov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kruschev counters with a nice uppercut.
Rishkinov throws a hook but Kruschev blocks it.
Kruschev works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kruschev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kruschev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rishkinov if he has to take too many more of those.
Rishkinov throws a lazy head kick
and Kruschev counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kruschev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kruschev slips under a jab from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kruschev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Rishkinov does it's job there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kruschev slips a straight right by Rishkinov.
Kruschev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kruschev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kruschev throws out a loose jab but Rishkinov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rishkinov goes for a double leg but Kruschev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kruschev continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Serhey Rishkinov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rishkinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruschev's elbow.
Kruschev blocks a body shot from Rishkinov.
Kruschev throws a punch but it's blocked by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov blocks an uppercut.
Kruschev working aggressively here.
Rishkinov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rishkinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruschev's elbow.
Kruschev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rishkinov is working for takedown but Kruschev is calmly controlling the position for now.

Kruschev breaks the clinch.
Wally Kruschev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rishkinov connects with a looping right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wally Kruschev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kruschev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov throws a right hand that misses
and Kruschev counters with a body kick.
Crunch! Rishkinov slams his shin into Kruschev's torso.
Kruschev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rishkinov is able to avoid easily.
Kruschev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kruschev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rishkinov misses with a lunging right hand
and Kruschev counters with a nice leg kick.
Rishkinov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rishkinov lands a body shot.
Kruschev thuds his shin into the meat of Rishkinov's side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rishkinov misses with the combination.
Kruschev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kruschev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rishkinov feinted with a counter takedown.
Kruschev lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruschev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rishkinov swings widly with a right hand
and Kruschev finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
A swing and a miss from Rishkinov.
Kruschev scores with a kick to the body.
Rishkinov misses with a left hand
and Kruschev counters with a left and a right that stings Rishkinov.
Kruschev avoids the body shot from Rishkinov.
Kruschev slips under a jab.
Rishkinov throws a head kick that misses.
Kruschev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kruschev gets caught flat footed, as Rishkinov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rishkinov throws a big elbow that misses.
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kruschev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kruschev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kruschev is looking to stand up but Rishkinov isn't so interested in that idea.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rishkinov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rishkinov trying to control but Kruschev is working from the bottom.
Kruschev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kruschev wants to stand but Rishkinov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rishkinov controls Kruschev momentarily but Kruschev frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kruschev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rishkinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kruschev has managed to get both his arms back between Rishkinov's legs - danger averted.
Kruschev trying to control but Rishkinov is working from the bottom.

Rishkinov looking for a guillotine here but Kruschev defends easily.
Rishkinov wants to sweep but no luck.
Serhey Rishkinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kruschev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rishkinov is adopting a defensive guard.
Kruschev wants to control from the top but Rishkinov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rishkinov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rishkinov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Rishkinov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kruschev preventing the sweep.
Kruschev advances position into side control!
Rishkinov is looking to reverse the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wally Kruschev really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kruschev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rishkinov moves away.
Rishkinov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rishkinov stuns Kruschev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rishkinov wants to clinch up but Kruschev keeps it at a distance.
Rishkinov swings for the body but Kruschev moves out of range.
Kruschev staying out of range there.
Rishkinov throws a body punch but Kruschev moves out of range.
Rishkinov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kruschev pinned against the cage. Kruschev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rishkinov checks a leg kick nicely.
Rishkinov tries to counter with a takedown but Kruschev is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rishkinov clinches.
Rishkinov scores with a shoulder strike.
Kruschev throws a head punch that misses.
Kruschev scores with a shot to the side of Rishkinov's head.
Rishkinov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Kruschev breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruschev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kruschev wants it to stay on the feet.
Rishkinov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kruschev.
Rishkinov wants to clinch.
Rishkinov moves out of range as Kruschev strikes.

Rishkinov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
I was talking to Rishkinov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kruschev gets through Rishkinov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rishkinov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kruschev's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kruschev.
Rishkinov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kruschev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kruschev has a couple of punches blocked by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kruschev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kruschev.
A short right from Rishkinov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rishkinov tries to throw a body punch but Kruschev avoids it by throwing Rishkinov back against the cage.
Rishkinov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rishkinov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rishkinov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kruschev backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rishkinov is trying to stall.
Rishkinov misses with a punch to the body.
Rishkinov can't find room to land a body shot as Kruschev controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kruschev.
Rishkinov blocks an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Kruschev.
Rishkinov is trying to break free.
Rishkinov blocking some punches.
Kruschev blocks a body shot from Rishkinov.
Kruschev pushes Rishkinov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rishkinov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kruschev has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Rishkinov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kruschev can turn it around.
Kruschev lands an uppercut.
Rishkinov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rishkinov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kruschev prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Serhey Rishkinov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kruschev lands with a right to the head.

Kruschev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rishkinov misses with a kick to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kruschev! But no joy.
Rishkinov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kruschev throws out the jab.

Rishkinov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kruschev wants to get back to his feet.
Rishkinov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kruschev is trying to get back to full guard.
Rishkinov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kruschev is trying to stand up here but Rishkinov is controlling him well.
Kruschev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rishkinov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov wants to pass to mount but Kruschev is defending the position.
Kruschev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rishkinov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Serhey Rishkinov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rishkinov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kruschev.
Rishkinov throws a head kick that misses.
Nice jab there from Kruschev.
Rishkinov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rishkinov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kruschev throws a low kick but Rishkinov avoids it.
Rishkinov tries to clinch but Kruschev is having none of it.

Rishkinov gets a takedown into half guard.
Kruschev gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rishkinov trying to control but Kruschev is working from the bottom.
Rishkinov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov looking to sit in guard and control but Kruschev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rishkinov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kruschev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Rishkinov is tightening it up a little... Kruschev has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Kruschev reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Kruschev taps out! Nice BJJ there by Rishkinov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Serhey Rishkinov!
Serhey Rishkinov retains his welterweight title!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Serhey Rishkinov made sure he mentioned Top Gun Nutrition 160q 4 $150, along with how happy he was to win his fight.