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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Kushnirov (ranked 1363 p4p, 2188 weight class) and Marcus Hughes (ranked 201 p4p, 322 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 175 cm
28
195
13 - 11 - 0 |
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190 cm
27
199
8 - 11 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilya Kushnirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Hughes!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kushnirov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hughes's hands.
Kushnirov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hughes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hughes rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kushnirov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hughes lunges at Kushnirov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kushnirov's hand.
The crowd cheers as Hughes lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kushnirov doesn't seem phased though.
Hughes looks to throw the jab but Kushnirov is out of range.
Kushnirov pushes Hughes away with a front kick.
Hughes looks to land a right hand but Kushnirov moved out of range.
Hughes digs a good body shot into Kushnirov's ribs.
Kushnirov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hughes throws the left hand but Kushnirov avoids the punch easily.
Hughes misses with a looping left.
Kushnirov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hughes 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.
Kushnirov misses with a wild body shot.
Kushnirov misses with a body kick.
Kushnirov jabs at Hughes's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kushnirov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It seemed like Hughes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kushnirov misses the jab.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kushnirov throws the left hand but Hughes avoids the punch easily.
Kushnirov lands a jab to the head.
Kushnirov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hughes throws a hook but Kushnirov blocks it.
Hughes blocks a head kick by Kushnirov.
Hughes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kushnirov.
Hughes misses the jab.
Kushnirov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hughes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hughes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kushnirov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hughess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hughes scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kushnirov.
Hughes misses with a hook.
Kushnirov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hughes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hughes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kushnirov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kushnirov loads up on a big right hand but Hughes slips the punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov cracks Hughes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A clash of legs there as Hughes blocks the low kick.
Kushnirov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kushnirov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hughes misses with a hook
and Kushnirov counters with a left and a right that stings Hughes.
Kushnirov tries to bum rush Hughes with a series of wild strikes but Hughes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kushnirov lands with a cross.
Hughes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kushnirov manages to avoid it.
Kushnirov throws a low kick but Hughes avoids it.
Kushnirov defending well as Hughes loads up on a big left hand.
Kushnirov connects with a leg kick.
Kushnirov avoids the body shot from Hughes.
Kushnirov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hughes moves away.
Kushnirov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kushnirov.
Kushnirov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hughes if he has to take too many more of those.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov motions for Hughes to come forward. Kushnirov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kushnirov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hughes misses the shot to the body.
Kushnirov feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kushnirov lands with a hook. Hughes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kushnirov jabs Hughes right on the nose. Hughes blinks but takes it well.
Hughes misses the jab.
Kushnirov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hughes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kushnirov is looking for a counter combo.
Kushnirov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kushnirov throws a right hand that Hughes ducks under and follows up with a left that Hughes also avoids with ease.
Ilya Kushnirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes connects with a single shot there.
The fighters circling - Kushnirov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Kushnirov misses.
Kushnirov looks to land a right hand but Hughes moved out of range.
Hughes loads up on a big right hand but Kushnirov slips the punch.
Kushnirov throws a low kick but Hughes moves out of range easily.
Kushnirov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hughes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hughes misses with a looping left.
Hughes lands a really nice looking cross but Kushnirov seems unphased.
Hughes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kushnirov is fending him off so far but Hughes persists. Nope, Kushnirov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but Hughes sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hughes staying out of range there.
Hughes misses with a hook.
Kushnirov with a nice cross.
Hughes lands a slapping body shot.
Hughes avoids a kick to the body.
Kushnirov throws a right and a left that Hughes avoids nicely.
A slow jab from Kushnirov misses its intended target.
Hughes swings widly with a right hand
and Hughes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kushnirov misses with an uppercut.
Hughes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kushnirov pinned against the cage. Kushnirov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Kushnirov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Hughes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hughes on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hughes avoids the head kick by Kushnirov.
Hughes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kushnirov misses with a head kick.
Hughes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kushnirov throws out the jab.
It seemed like Hughes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hughes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hughes misses with an uppercut. Kushnirov saw that one coming.
Hughes might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kushnirov with the inside leg kick.
Hughes throws a body shot but no joy.
Kushnirov is looking for a counter combo.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kushnirov.
Kushnirov blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hughes jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kushnirov with a nice calf kick.
Kushnirov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hughes misses with a body shot.
Kushnirov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hughes checks it well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnirov lands with a slapping head kick.
Kushnirov misses with a body kick.
Hughes misses with a hook.
Hughes misses with a wild body shot.
Kushnirov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A big left from Hughes misses.
Hughes blocks a leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Hughes blocks the low kick.
Hughes looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hughes blocks a head kick by Kushnirov.
Hughes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kushnirov throws a low kick but Hughes moves out of range easily.
Hughes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kushnirov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
That kick from Kushnirov tenderised Hughes's leg. Hughes is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kushnirov tries a head kick but it misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hughes! But no joy.
Hughes looks to score with a jab to the body but Kushnirov is just out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Hughes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kushnirov lands a jab.
Kushnirov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hughes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hughes throws a jab but it's blocked by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Hughes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kushnirov misses with a body punch
and Hughes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hughes throws a jab when Kushnirov was well out of range.
Kushnirov misses with a low kick as Hughes jumps back.
A cross from Hughes lands.
Hughes gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A clash of legs there as Hughes blocks the low kick.
Kushnirov moves out of range as Hughes strikes.
Hughes misses with a looping left.
Hughes takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kushnirov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Kushnirov throws a big counter combination but Hughes scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Hughes loads up on a big right hand but Kushnirov slips the punch.
Kushnirov cracks Hughes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kushnirov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hughes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kushnirov throws a leg kick but Hughes sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Hughes might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Kushnirov has got the better of the exchanges.
Hughes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kushnirov throws a low kick but Hughes moves out of range easily.
Hughes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ilya Kushnirov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kushnirov misses with a right hand
and Hughes counters with a straight right hand.
Ilya Kushnirov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kushnirov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Kushnirov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Hughes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kushnirov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kushnirov 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.
Kushnirov misses with a hook
and Hughes counters with a nice body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov lands a jab to Hughes's midsection.
Hughes throws a looping overhand right but Kushnirov ducks down to avoid it.
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!
Hughes throws a good cross that connects.
Kushnirov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hughes doesn't seem bothered though.
Kushnirov throws a wild body kick that Hughes sees coming a mile off.
Nice defenses there by Hughes.
Kushnirov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hughes can do to turn this around?
Kushnirov throws a right hand that misses
and Hughes counters with a right hand to the body.
Hughes scores with a decent looking hook.
The fighters circling - Kushnirov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kushnirov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Kushnirov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kushnirov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hughes moves out of range as Kushnirov strikes.
It seemed like Hughes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hughes moves away from the strike by Kushnirov.
Hughes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hughes lands an overhand right.
Hughes looks to land a right hand but Kushnirov moved out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ilya Kushnirov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Kushnirov swings widly with a right hand
and Kushnirov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kushnirov misses with an uppercut. Hughes saw that one coming.
Kushnirov tests Hughes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kushnirov throws a looping overhand right but Hughes ducks down to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kushnirov. That's going to slow Hughes down.
Kushnirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hughes manages to avoid it.
Kushnirov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hughes looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kushnirov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hughes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kushnirov.
Kushnirov throws a nice head kick!
Kushnirov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hughes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kushnirov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hughes to score with a decent uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kushnirov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hughes.
Kushnirov jabs at Hughes's body.
Hughes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hughes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kushnirov's half guard.
Kushnirov has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Hughes is on him like a limpet, forcing Kushnirov back against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes tries to score a body lock takedown but Kushnirov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kushnirov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hughes has him pressed against the cage.
Kushnirov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
That kick from Kushnirov tenderised Hughes's leg. Hughes is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kushnirov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hughes.
Hughes's corner calls for a 1-2. Hughes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hughes takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kushnirov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hughes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kushnirov moves away.
Hughes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kushnirov.
Hughes misses with an uppercut
and Kushnirov counters with a straight right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hughes throws out the jab.
Kushnirov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Hughes throws an overhand right that lands on Kushnirov's shoulder, as Kushnirov tries to avoid the shot.
Kushnirov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kushnirov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kushnirov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Kushnirov moved out of range nicely.
Hughes throws out a loose jab but Kushnirov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kushnirov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hughes moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hughes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
No joy there for Kushnirov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hughes looks to land a right hand but Kushnirov moved out of range.
Kushnirov slips a jab from Hughes.
Kushnirov blocks a jab.
Kushnirov throws out a powerful jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes throws a shot from downtown. Kushnirov moves away and avoids it.
Kushnirov throws a quick counter head kick but Hughes was just out of range.
Kushnirov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ilya Kushnirov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A jab from Hughes misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kushnirov. Hughes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kushnirov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hughes takes a step back to recover.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kushnirov.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kushnirov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kushnirov'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.
Kushnirov gets underhooks to prevent Hughes's takedown attempt.
I was talking to Kushnirov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnirov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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!
Kushnirov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hughes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kushnirov walks into a straight right hand from Hughes.
Hughes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kushnirov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marcus Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hughes throws a looping overhand right but Kushnirov ducks down to avoid it.
Kushnirov throws a head kick that misses.
Hughes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Good leg kick by Kushnirov.
Hughes swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Kushnirov counter with a right hand.
Hughes scores with a jab. Kushnirov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hughes throws a body shot but no joy.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Kushnirov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kushnirov 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Kushnirov!
During a confident post fight interview, Ilya Kushnirov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
73% |
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