PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikail Spartakov (ranked 1316 p4p, 1835 weight class) and James Butler Hickok (ranked 151 p4p, 195 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Spartakov
vs
Hickok

197 cm
23
245
7 - 4 - 1

205 cm
23
285
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mikail Spartakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Butler Hickok!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spartakov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Mikail Spartakov has been cut.
Spartakov misses with a right hand
and Hickok counters with a stiff right hand.
Spartakov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Spartakov misses with a right hand
and Hickok counters with a nice uppercut.
Spartakov throws a body kick that misses
and Hickok connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Mikail Spartakov's cut is getting worse.
Hickok steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spartakov.
Hickok let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Spartakov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hickok moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Spartakov lands a body shot.
Spartakov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hickok was well out of range. Poor timing from Spartakov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickok takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like James Butler Hickok has been cut.
The crowd cheers as Spartakov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hickok doesn't seem phased though.
Hickok takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Spartakov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hickok, pushing him back against the cage.
Spartakov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Spartakov is struggling to control the position.
Hickok presses Spartakov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Spartakov scores with a hook to the body.
Hickok lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spartakov with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spartakov blocks an uppercut.
Hickok avoiding damage as Spartakov throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickok scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Spartakov lands an uppercut.
Spartakov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hickok avoids it.
Hickok lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spartakov backwards.
Hickok throws a punch but it's blocked by Spartakov.
Spartakov tries to work over Hickok's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hickok working aggressively here.
Spartakov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spartakov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hickok lands a hook that snaps the head of Spartakov backwards.
Hickok takes a shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Spartakov.
Spartakov blocking some punches.
Hickok takes a shot to the head.
Hickok fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Spartakov.
Hickok lands an uppercut.

Mikail Spartakov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A body shot lands from Spartakov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spartakov.
Spartakov is looking to control Hickok's arms but Hickok gets an underhook and turns him. Now Spartakov has his back to the cage.
Hickok fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hickok misses with some punches.

Spartakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hickok misses with a looping left.
Spartakov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Spartakov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hickok.
Hickok on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Spartakov tries to clinch but Hickok is having none of it.
It seemed like Hickok was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Spartakov lands a leg kick that knocks Hickok off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

and Spartakov counters with a crisp right hand that drops Hickok! Spartakov lets Hickok back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Hickok is rocked!
Hickok throws a lazy uppercut
and Spartakov counters with a thumping low kick.
Spartakov wants to clinch
and Hickok counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spartakov misses with a straight right.
Hickok takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mikail Spartakov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hickok misses with a shot to the body
and Spartakov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Spartakov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Spartakov has closed the distance and engaged Hickok in a clinch.
Spartakov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Spartakov just leaning against Hickok, taking a breather.
Hickok blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spartakov stalling in the clinch but Hickok improves position.
A short right from Spartakov.
Mikail Spartakov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Spartakov.
Spartakov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Spartakov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hickok swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hickok lands a hook to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hickok throws a head punch that misses.
Hickok working aggressively here.
Hickok lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartakov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hickok misses with some punches.
Spartakov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Spartakov prevents a body shot from Hickok.
Spartakov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Spartakov stalling in the clinch but Hickok improves position.
Hickok misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hickok misses with a body punch.
Spartakov looking to throw knees to the head but Hickok is blocking nicely.
Hickok lands a shoulder strike.
Spartakov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hickok.
Spartakov working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Spartakov.
Spartakov avoiding damage.
Spartakov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spartakov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hickok has a couple of punches blocked by Spartakov.
Hickok has a couple of punches blocked by Spartakov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartakov prevents a body shot from Hickok.
Spartakov tries to stall but Hickok uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Spartakov breaks from the clinch.
Hickok has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hickok slips a straight right by Spartakov.
Spartakov misses the shot to the body.
Spartakov lands with an uppercut that bounces Hickok off the cage and back into range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hickok. Spartakov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spartakov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hickok moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hickok! But no joy.
Hickok misses with a hook
and Spartakov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mikail Spartakov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartakov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hickok is out of range.
Hickok looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Spartakov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Spartakov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hickok.
A little feinted left hand from Spartakov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hickok throws a poor cross that misses
and Spartakov counters with a stiff right hand.
Hickok on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Spartakov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hickok counters with a straight right hand.
Spartakov just misses with a punch to the body.
Hickok looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartakov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hickok's head.

That has opened up James Butler Hickok's cut even more.
Hickok lands with a shot to the body.
Hickok misses with an uppercut
and Spartakov counters with a good, hard body kick but Hickok shrugs it off.
Hickok is breathing heavily.
Spartakov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Spartakov cracks Hickok with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Spartakov has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Hickok to stand back up!
Hickok is still on wobbly legs! Can Spartakov finish him?
Spartakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hickok can do to turn this around?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hickok misses with an uppercut
and Spartakov counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Mikail Spartakov!