PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iurie Shchusev (ranked 3566 p4p, 3746 weight class) and Suda Hikotake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Shchusev
vs
Hikotake

195 cm
26
214
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
214
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Iurie Shchusev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Suda Hikotake!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hikotake missing with a left hand there. Shchusev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shchusev throws a looping overhand right but Hikotake ducks down to avoid it.
Shchusev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shchusev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Shchusev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hikotake sprawls well initially but Shchusev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hikotake trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Shchusev seems content to control.
Shchusev blocks the strikes from Hikotake.
Hikotake blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shchusev.
Hikotake works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hikotake is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shchusev presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Shchusev pushes Hikotake back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shchusev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hikotake.
Shchusev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shchusev taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikotake swings wildly with an uppercut but Shchusev uses good head movement to avoid it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Hikotake manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Shchusev throwing strikes but missing.
Shchusev preventing the sweep.
Shchusev throwing strikes from guard but Hikotake blocks nicely.
Shchusev trying to control the position from guard on top but Hikotake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shchusev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hikotake striking off his back but it's not causing Shchusev any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikotake trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Shchusev is looking to work some ground and pound but Hikotake has wrist control.
Hikotake has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hikotake keeping moving, preventing Shchusev from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Shchusev with a nice head shot there.
Hikotake is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hikotake is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Shchusev postures up in Hikotake's guard and throws a big left but Hikotake blocks it.
Shchusev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hikotake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shchusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hikotake wants to sweep but no luck.
Hikotake trying to control the position.
Hikotake pulls Shchusev in close to his closed guard and prevents Shchusev from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Shchusev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hikotake has a takedown stuffed.
Shchusev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Shchusev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shchusev sizes up Hikotake with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Good shot there by Shchusev.

It looks like Suda Hikotake has been cut.
Hikotake lands a nice shot that snaps Shchusev's head back.
Shchusev scores with a hook to the body. Hikotake takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shchusev blocks a jab.
Hikotake swings for the body but Shchusev moves out of range.
Shchusev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hikotake throws a hook but Shchusev avoids it easily.
Shchusev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hikotake lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hikotake loads up on a big right hand but Shchusev slips the punch.
Hikotake has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hikotake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shchusev throws a shot from downtown. Hikotake moves away and avoids it.
Shchusev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shchusev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hikotake.
Shchusev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hikotake throws out the jab.
Shchusev lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice shot by Shchusev.
Shchusev just misses with a punch to the body.
Hikotake uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shchusev.
Hikotake with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Iurie Shchusev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Suda Hikotake's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shchusev slips a jab and a cross from Hikotake.
Shchusev slips under a jab from Hikotake.
Hikotake bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hikotake throws an off balance right hand

and Shchusev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hikotake taking some punishment here, with Shchusev in his half guard.
Shchusev trying to control from Hikotake's half guard. Hikotake has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hikotake is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hikotake is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Shchusev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shchusev tries to get out of the position.
Hikotake lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hikotake throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shchusev is staying active underneath Hikotake, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shchusev punching from the bottom.
Hikotake prevents Shchusev from improving his position.
Hikotake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shchusev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hikotake is working away from the top position though.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hikotake in particular looking to stall.
Hikotake looks to land a strike but Shchusev avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hikotake trying to control the position from guard on top but Shchusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hikotake preventing the sweep.
Hikotake trying to control the position from guard on top but Shchusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shchusev is on top in guard.

Shchusev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shchusev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hikotake trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hikotake manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shchusev manages to get himself to full guard.

Hikotake chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shchusev with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Hikotake can't handle though.
Shchusev scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Hikotake landing some decent shots from guard.
Hikotake trying to control the position from guard on top but Shchusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hikotake not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hikotake postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shchusev controls Hikotake momentarily but Hikotake frees himself.
Hikotake controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Hikotake keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shchusev's head.
Hikotake trying to control but Shchusev is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shchusev is on top in guard.

Shchusev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shchusev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hikotake trying to keep a closed guard but Shchusev is proving a slippery customer.
Hikotake keeping moving, preventing Shchusev from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Suda Hikotake will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Suda Hikotake's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Shchusev moves in looking to clinch but Hikotake pushes him off.
Hikotake feints the counter takedown.
Hikotake misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shchusev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hikotake sprawls and moves away.
Hikotake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shchusev manages to avoid it.
Shchusev tries to counter with a takedown but Hikotake is quick to defend against it.
Shchusev throws a hook but Hikotake avoids it easily.
Shchusev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hikotake scores with a nice strike.
Shchusev cracks Hikotake with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hikotake looks to land a right hand but Shchusev moved out of range.
Shchusev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shchusev looks to throw the jab but Hikotake is out of range.
Shchusev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Hikotake gets tackled into the cage by Shchusev. Shchusev maintains the clinch.

Shchusev has clasped his hands together around Hikotake's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hikotake gets back to half guard.
Hikotake keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hikotake wants to stand back up but Shchusev manages to pass into side control.
Shchusev trying to control the position but Hikotake is working away.
Hikotake on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Shchusev is looking to take a break and control but Hikotake is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hikotake is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hikotake wants to control but Shchusev is keeping busy.
Hikotake is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Shchusev is staying active.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikotake is trying to get back to full guard.
Shchusev is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Hikotake swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Hikotake is desperately trying to improve his position but Shchusev has a good base and remains in mount.
Shchusev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Iurie Shchusev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Shchusev cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Shchusev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shchusev working Hikotake over with strikes here.
Hikotake is in a horrible position here. Shchusev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Hikotake is rocked!
Shchusev with good strikes from the mount here!
Hikotake is still in real trouble! Can Shchusev finish him?
Shchusev postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Hikotake bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Shchusev and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Iurie Shchusev!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Iurie Shchusev made sure he mentioned IC&E Nutrition (& 10% Laundry), along with how happy he was to win his fight.