PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ian Stronk (ranked 1321 p4p, 1546 weight class) and Aatreya Mahrishi (ranked 201 p4p, 237 weight class). Mahrishi has chosen On the Precipe of Defeat as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Stronk
vs
Mahrishi

189 cm
24
214
10 - 4 - 0

191 cm
34
205
23 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ian Stronk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Aatreya Mahrishi!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stronk lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

It looks like Aatreya Mahrishi has been cut.
Mahrishi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mahrishi misses with a low kick.
Stronk wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Stronk swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stronk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stronk tries to clinch but Mahrishi moves out of range.
Stronk is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Stronk forces Mahrishi back against the cage and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Mahrishi as Stronk tries to tie him up.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mahrishi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mahrishi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Stronk backwards.
Stronk blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Stronk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stronk slips a jab from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi throws a shot from downtown. Stronk moves away and avoids it.
Stronk ducks under a wild hook from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahrishi. Stronk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mahrishi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Stronk's hands.
Mahrishi looks to throw the jab but Stronk is out of range.
Stronk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stronk looks to score with a jab to the body but Mahrishi is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stronk has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stronk there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stronk rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mahrishi counters with a nice uppercut.
Stronk tries to clinch up but Mahrishi circles away and keeps his distance.
Stronk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Stronk moves into range and clinches up with Mahrishi.
Stronk dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
I was talking to Stronk's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Mahrishi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mahrishi misses with a punch to the body.
Stronk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stronk makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stronk lands a right hand.
Mahrishi working aggressively here.
Mahrishi lands an uppercut.
Mahrishi throws a punch but it's blocked by Stronk.
Stronk can't find room to land a body shot as Mahrishi controls the action.
Mahrishi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mahrishi misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stronk scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mahrishi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahrishi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mahrishi digs a right hand into Stronk's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stronk's gas tank.
Mahrishi controlling the action here for a moment.
Stronk is leaning against Mahrishi and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Stronk misses with a punch on the inside.
Stronk tries a body shot but Mahrishi blocks it.
Mahrishi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Mahrishi scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stronk.
Mahrishi misses with the head strike.
Mahrishi cracks Stronk with a nice body shot.
Stronk blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi tries a body shot but Stronk blocks it.
Mahrishi digs a right hand underneath Stronk's ribcage. Stronk let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mahrishi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mahrishi blocks an uppercut.
Stronk misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahrishi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mahrishi throws a punch but it's blocked by Stronk.
Stronk scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mahrishi tries to throw a body punch but Stronk avoids it by throwing Mahrishi back against the cage.

Mahrishi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stronk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mahrishi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mahrishi swats away the attempt to clinch by Stronk.
Mahrishi misses with a low kick.
Mahrishi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mahrishi throws out a counter right but Stronk avoids it with no problem.
Stronk walks into a straight right hand from Mahrishi.
A jab from Stronk misses.
Mahrishi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mahrishi looks to land a combination but Stronk avoids it well.

Mahrishi has managed to clinch.
Mahrishi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mahrishi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mahrishi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Stronk drives through and clinches with Mahrishi against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stronk throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi misses with some punches.
Mahrishi throws a punch but it's blocked by Stronk.
Mahrishi throws a head punch that misses.
Mahrishi cracks Stronk with a nice body shot.
Mahrishi lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi lands a left hand.
Mahrishi misses with a body punch.
Stronk's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mahrishi has a couple of punches blocked by Stronk.
Stronk misses with the head strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mahrishi lands an uppercut.
Mahrishi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mahrishi lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mahrishi.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stronk misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aatreya Mahrishi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aatreya Mahrishi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mahrishi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stronk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mahrishi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stronk tries to clinch up but Mahrishi circles away and keeps his distance.
Stronk lands with a nice combination. Mahrishi backs away looking to recover.
Mahrishi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mahrishi lands a nice hook to Stronk's body. Stronk takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mahrishi missing with a left hand there. Stronk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stronk stuns Mahrishi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mahrishi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Stronk's head backwards.
Stronk lands with a cross.
Stronk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stronk throws a big shot that misses.
Mahrishi misses with a straight left.
Mahrishi throws a jab but it's blocked by Stronk.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stronk tries to clinch but Mahrishi is having none of it.
Mahrishi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Mahrishi lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mahrishi.
Mahrishi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stronk is looking to clinch but Mahrishi is avoiding it.
Stronk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mahrishi manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stronk is looking to clinch.
Stronk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mahrishi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stronk just misses with a punch to the body.
Aatreya Mahrishi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Stronk has Mahrishi up against the cage in a clinch.
Mahrishi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mahrishi struggles to land a body shot inside as Stronk controls his hands.
Mahrishi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mahrishi pushes Stronk back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Stronk.
Mahrishi struggles to land a body shot inside as Stronk controls his hands.

Mahrishi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mahrishi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stronk, pushing him back against the cage.
Mahrishi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Stronk backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Stronk fails to land.
Mahrishi struggles to land a body shot inside as Stronk controls his hands.
Mahrishi lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronk misses with the head strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mahrishi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stronk lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mahrishi.
Mahrishi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mahrishi misses with the head strike.
Mahrishi swings wildly with an uppercut but Stronk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahrishi misses with a punch to the body.
Mahrishi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stronk's elbow.

Stronk breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stronk looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stronk wants to clinch up but Mahrishi keeps it at a distance.
Mahrishi dips to his left and cracks Stronk with an uppercut!

Mahrishi clinches up against the cage.

Mahrishi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mahrishi lands a jab to the nose.
Mahrishi throws the left hand but Stronk avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahrishi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Stronk momentarily.
Mahrishi misses with a body shot.
Mahrishi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stronk was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahrishi.
Stronk tries to close the distance and clinch but Mahrishi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mahrishi swings wildly with an uppercut but Stronk uses good head movement to avoid it.
A hook to the body from Mahrishi.
Stronk throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahrishi.
Mahrishi lands a left hand.
Stronk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mahrishi misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Stronk.
Mahrishi blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Mahrishi.
Mahrishi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stronk misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahrishi lands with a left to the head.
Stronk tries to throw a body punch but Mahrishi avoids it by throwing Stronk back against the cage.
Stronk misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mahrishi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Stronk lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mahrishi.
Stronk misses with some punches.

Mahrishi breaks the clinch.
Mahrishi looks to land a right hand but Stronk moved out of range.
Mahrishi connects with a nice looking jab.
Mahrishi is looking to slow Stronk down with leg kicks.
Mahrishi throws a good cross that connects.

Mahrishi drives through and clinches with Stronk against the cage.
Stronk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Stronk misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mahrishi misses with the head strike.
Mahrishi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Aatreya Mahrishi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stronk has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mahrishi working aggressively here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aatreya Mahrishi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aatreya Mahrishi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mahrishi scores with a nice head shot.
Stronk tries to clinch up.
Stronk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stronk is looking to clinch.
Mahrishi throws a series of punches but Stronk avoids them all with ease.
Stronk tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mahrishi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stronk tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mahrishi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A slow jab from Mahrishi misses its intended target.
An inside leg kick lands from Mahrishi.
Mahrishi scores with a nice right hand.
Stronk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mahrishi misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahrishi tries to bum rush Stronk with a series of wild strikes but Stronk uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mahrishi blocks an uppercut.
Mahrishi throws a head punch that misses.
Mahrishi misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Mahrishi fails to land.
Mahrishi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stronk's efforts to push away.
Stronk tries to work over Mahrishi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stronk tries to throw a body punch but Mahrishi avoids it by throwing Stronk back against the cage.
Mahrishi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mahrishi lands a hook that snaps the head of Stronk backwards.
Stronk misses with a punch to the body.
Stronk has a couple of punches blocked by Mahrishi.
Stronk pushes Mahrishi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Stronk lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mahrishi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stronk scores with a shot to the side of Mahrishi's head.
Stronk scores with a shoulder strike.
Stronk misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Stronk.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stronk misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stronk tries a body shot but Mahrishi blocks it.
Stronk blocking some punches.
Ian Stronk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aatreya Mahrishi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronk tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Stronk breaks the clinch.
Stronk avoids the body shot from Mahrishi.
Stronk takes one to the side of the head.
Mahrishi loads up on a big right hand but Stronk slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Stronk forces Mahrishi back against the cage and clinches.
Stronk tries to throw a body punch but Mahrishi avoids it by throwing Stronk back against the cage.
Stronk throws a head punch that misses.
Mahrishi can't find room to land a body shot as Stronk controls the action.
Stronk has had enough of the clinch but Mahrishi keeps him there for the moment.
Stronk fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stronk is trying to maintain a safe position but Mahrishi gets an underhook and turns Stronk into the cage.
Stronk throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stronk lands with a light punch inside.
Mahrishi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Stronk's elbow.
Stronk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mahrishi blocking some punches.
Stronk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mahrishi is working Stronk over against the cage.
Stronk has a couple of punches blocked by Mahrishi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stronk.
Stronk swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Mahrishi.
Stronk misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahrishi blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronk swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Stronk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mahrishi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stronk.
Stronk on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mahrishi cracks Stronk with a right hand to the side of the head.
Stronk throws a hook but Mahrishi blocks it.
Mahrishi misses with a wild body shot.
Mahrishi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice jab there from Mahrishi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mahrishi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Mahrishi moves into the clinch.
Stronk tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mahrishi's elbow.
Stronk struggles to land a body shot inside as Mahrishi controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stronk.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mahrishi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aatreya Mahrishi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mahrishi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aatreya Mahrishi!
Aatreya Mahrishi very nearly forgot to thank Arcticus University: London amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.