PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andy Viking (ranked 1092 p4p, 504 weight class) and Ivan Samsonov (ranked 165 p4p, 81 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Viking
vs
Samsonov

225 cm
30
270
14 - 9 - 0

202 cm
33
255
24 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andy Viking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Samsonov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samsonov misses with a straight left.
A slapping leg kick lands for Viking.
Viking throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Viking tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samsonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Viking.
Samsonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Samsonov swings for the body but Viking moves out of range.
Viking lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Viking misses with a hook to the body
and Samsonov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Andy Viking has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viking looks to score with a jab to the body but Samsonov is just out of range.

Viking gets a clinch.
Viking throws a knee to the head but misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Samsonov.
Viking really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Samsonov swings wildly with an uppercut but Viking uses good head movement to avoid it.
Viking missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viking has a couple of punches blocked by Samsonov.
Viking lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Samsonov backwards.
Samsonov avoids the elbow strike from Viking, against the cage.
Viking lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Viking with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Samsonov lands a nice shot to the body.
Viking lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Viking lands a nice elbow.
Samsonov blocks an elbow strike from Viking.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Viking.
Samsonov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Viking crunches a lovely knee into Samsonov's ribcage.
Samsonov looks winded!
Viking misses with a punch to the body.
Viking misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samsonov.
Viking lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Samsonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Samsonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Viking lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Samsonov misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viking scores with a crisp jab that stopped Samsonov in his tracks.
Viking tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Samsonov is able to avoid easily.
Viking lands a nice leg kick that just misses Samsonov's sensitive parts.
Samsonov misses with an uppercut
and Viking counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Samsonov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Viking.
Viking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.
Viking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.
Viking wants to clinch up but Samsonov keeps it at a distance.
A cross from Viking lands.
Viking punishes Samsonov's body with a nice straight punch.
Samsonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Viking just misses with a punch to the body.
Viking lands with a shot to the body.
Viking stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Andy Viking seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Samsonov walks into a left hand.
A left lands for Viking.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Viking, as that shot connected.
Viking keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Viking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.
Viking looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Viking.
Samsonov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Viking is predictable there
and Samsonov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Viking scores with a hook to the body. Samsonov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Viking throws a body punch but Samsonov moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Samsonov.
Viking throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samsonov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Viking with a body shot.
Viking is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Viking lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jab by Viking.
Viking wants to slow Samsonov down by chopping away at his legs.
Samsonov raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Viking is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Viking lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Samsonov scores with a decent looking hook.
Viking tries to close the distance and clinch but Samsonov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Samsonov! But no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Viking dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andy Viking's cut.
That's time! Viking's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Viking scores with a leg kick.
Samsonov misses with an uppercut.
Viking swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Viking lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Viking feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Samsonovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Viking throws a leg kick which misses Samsonov's front leg but catches the back leg as Samsonov tries to avoid it.
Viking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.
A jab from Viking finds it's way through Samsonov's defenses.
Viking connects with the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viking misses with a body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Viking.
Andy Viking is winning the standup battle so far.
Samsonov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Viking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Samsonov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Samsonov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Samsonov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Viking jabs Samsonov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Samsonov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Viking scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Samsonov misses with an uppercut
and Viking counters with a left to the body.

Samsonov feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Viking sprawling to the canvas! Viking rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Samsonov finish him?!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Viking swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Viking throws a low kick but Samsonov avoids it.
Viking fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viking tries to score with a low kick but Samsonov moves his leg out of the way.
Viking ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice leg kick lands there from Viking.
Samsonov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Viking swings for the body but Samsonov moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Samsonov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Viking scores with a jab. Samsonov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Viking lands a nice leg kick that just misses Samsonov's sensitive parts.
Samsonov swinging wildly here.
Viking uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Samsonov.
Viking lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Viking lands an impressive looking overhand right. Samsonov doesn't seem phased though.
Viking takes a swing at Samsonov's ribcage but misses.
Samsonov wants to counter the offense by Viking and move into the clinch position.
That kick from Viking tenderised Samsonov's leg. Samsonov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Samsonov ducks right into an uppercut from Viking.
Viking misses with an uppercut. Samsonov saw that one coming.
Viking looks to score with a jab to the body but Samsonov is just out of range.
Samsonov swings for the body but Viking moves out of range.
Samsonov misses with a head kick.
Samsonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Viking stuns Samsonov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Viking with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viking clobbers Samsonov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Viking is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Samsonov can do to turn this around?
Samsonov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Viking fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Samsonov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Viking.
Samsonov throws a big shot that misses.
Viking cracks Samsonov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Viking lunges at Samsonov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Samsonov's hand.
Samsonov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Samsonov takes one on the button.
Viking lands a nice hook to Samsonov's body. Samsonov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A big right from Samsonov misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Viking dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Andy Viking's cut.
That's time! Viking's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Samsonov blocks a jab.
Viking slips a jab from Samsonov.
Viking scoring well with a low kick there.
Samsonov drops his hands momentarily and Viking takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Viking scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Viking scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Samsonov doesn't seem bothered though.
Samsonov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Viking sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Viking closes the distance and pushes Samsonov back into the cage.
Viking landing knees to the body.
Viking throws an elbow but it misses.
Samsonov takes an elbow to the temple.
Viking misses with a knee strike.
Viking lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov tries to break the clinch but Viking is controlling the position.
Samsonov managing to block the knees to the body from Viking.
Samsonov works on Viking's body with a couple of short punches.
Samsonov wants to break free but Viking has control.
Viking tries to land knees in the clinch but Samsonov avoids the damage to the body.
Viking unloads a knee to the mid-section. Samsonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Samsonov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Samsonov prevents a body shot from Viking.
Viking landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Samsonov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Samsonov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Viking misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samsonov.
Samsonov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Viking.
Samsonov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Viking landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Viking tries to land a knee to the head but Samsonov blocks with his arms.
Samsonov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Viking lands a body shot in the clinch.
Viking lands a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Viking scores with a knee to the head.
Viking tries a knee to the head but Samsonov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Viking.
Viking tries to land knees in the clinch but Samsonov avoids the damage to the body.
Viking tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Samsonov can't find room to land a body shot as Viking controls the action.
Viking tries to work over Samsonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Viking keeps control of Samsonov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Samsonov is trying to stall.
Viking trying to land knees to the body.
Viking scores with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Samsonov.
Samsonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Viking tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Samsonov's elbow.
Samsonov blocks an uppercut.
Viking misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Samsonov'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.
Andy Viking has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Viking misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov scores with a hook to the body.
Viking tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Samsonov avoids it.
Samsonov is working Viking over against the cage.

Samsonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samsonov misses with a looping left.
Viking throws a body punch but Samsonov moves out of range.
Andy Viking is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A telegraphed right hand from Samsonov misses the target.
Viking walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Samsonov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Samsonov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Viking tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Viking bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Samsonov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Viking.
Viking appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Viking lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Viking moves away.
Viking avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Viking misses with a wild body shot.
Samsonov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Samsonov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Viking sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Viking scores with a punch to the head.
Samsonov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Viking cracks a nice hook into Samsonov's ribs.
Ivan Samsonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Viking's corner calls for a 1-2. Viking obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Viking fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Samsonov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Viking misses with a wild body shot.
Samsonov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Viking showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Viking has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Viking!
In his post fight interview, Andy Viking gave a big smile as he said 'It's not whether you win or lose, it's how many people remember you when you die '.
In defeat, Ivan Samsonov stepped up to the mic, saying 'Путин убьет меня за это поражение'.