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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Islam Makhachev (ranked 3903 p4p, 4669 weight class) and Vasilii Lynchenko (ranked 407 p4p, 449 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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180 cm 18 170 1 - 0 - 0 |
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175 cm 18 170 2 - 1 - 0 |
Decent wrestler Good kicks Big heart |
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BJJ Blue Belt Counter fighter Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division. Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Islam Makhachev! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasilii Lynchenko! The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Makhachev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lynchenko tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Makhachev is in Lynchenko's guard. We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lynchenko can do anything to dispel that myth. Makhachev trying to control but Lynchenko is working from the bottom. Makhachev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat. Makhachev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Lynchenko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Lynchenko has escaped and now he's on top! Lynchenko trying to control but Makhachev is working from the bottom. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Lynchenko might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Makhachev haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time. Lynchenko looks winded! Makhachev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lynchenko defends it easily.
That's one minute gone in the round. Makhachev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lynchenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lynchenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position. Lynchenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike. Makhachev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lynchenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance. Lynchenko wants to control from the top but Makhachev keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round. The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action. Makhachev trying to control the position.
Lynchenko is in close to Makhachev's body, working some short punches and elbows. Makhachev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lynchenko on the ground. Lynchenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage. Makhachev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lynchenko defends it easily. Lynchenko distracts Makhachev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Lynchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up. Makhachev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lynchenko's waist but Lynchenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Makhachev off to one side. Makhachev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight. Lynchenko tries for a takedown but Makhachev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily. Makhachev dives in for a single leg takedown but Lynchenko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage. Makhachev looking to stall.
Makhachev is trying to drag Lynchenko to the mat but Lynchenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Islam Makhachev. That's going to take a lot out of him. Lynchenko stops a takedown attempt from Makhachev.
Lynchenko blocks an elbow strike from Makhachev.
Makhachev misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Makhachev wants a takedown.
Lynchenko is trying to trip Makhachev. He has hold of a leg but Makhachev is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Lynchenko persists though and gets the takedown into guard. Makhachev has his foot on Lynchenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lynchenko works his way back into a safe position though. Makhachev keeping moving, preventing Lynchenko from controlling successfully. Makhachev tries to land a sweep but no joy. Makhachev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lynchenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lynchenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Lynchenko trying to control but Makhachev is working from the bottom. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Vasilii Lynchenko 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. Makhachev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lynchenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makhachev somewhat. Lynchenko leaves Makhachev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt. Makhachev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lynchenko avoids it really well and circles away. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Islam Makhachev. That's going to take a lot out of him. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Makhachev shoots and misses and Lynchenko counters by moving into the clinch. Makhachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage. Makhachev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lynchenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far. Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here. Lynchenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
That's one minute gone in the round. Makhachev shoots and misses and Lynchenko counters with a shoot takedown. Makhachev fights it but they end up in guard. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Lynchenko lands a couple of digs. Lynchenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound. Lynchenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makhachev works some decent striking defense from the bottom. Lynchenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position. Makhachev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. Lynchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Makhachev has wrist control. Makhachev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lynchenko defends well. Lynchenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Lynchenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there. Makhachev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Makhachev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Lynchenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Makhachev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. Makhachev darts in looking for a takedown but Lynchenko gets double underhooks and turns Makhachev into the cage. Makhachev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lynchenko prevents it.
Makhachev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lynchenko prevents it.
Makhachev is trying to drag Lynchenko to the mat but Lynchenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there. Lynchenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's four 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. Lynchenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lynchenko gets a nice trip takedown into half guard. Makhachev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lynchenko pulls his head out easily. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Lynchenko stands up from half guard. Makhachev fails with the takedown and Lynchenko counters with a takedown into side control. Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out! Lynchenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Makhachev has escaped the position, nice work there. You can see the frustration on Makhachev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom. And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Vasilii Lynchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Lynchenko gets caught flat footed, as Makhachev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard. Lynchenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound. A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Makhachev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand. Makhachev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage. Makhachev trying to control but Lynchenko is working from the bottom. Lynchenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan. Makhachev is looking to work some ground and pound but Lynchenko has wrist control. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Makhachev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there. Both fighters are breathing heavily. Makhachev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
That's one minute gone in the round. Lynchenko has his hands on Makhachev's head, controlling the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet. Horrible takedown attempt by Makhachev or perhaps it was just good defense by Lynchenko, which made it look bad. Makhachev moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Makhachev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lynchenko as he avoids it easily. Lynchenko drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Makhachev defends it well. Makhachev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it. That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Islam Makhachev. That's going to take a lot out of him. Horrible takedown attempt by Makhachev or perhaps it was just good defense by Lynchenko, which made it look bad.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Makhachev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise. Makhachev scores with a one two! Lynchenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes. Makhachev throws a leg kick which misses Lynchenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Lynchenko tries to avoid it. Makhachev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts. Lynchenko with the counter takedown but Makhachev avoids it easily. Makhachev scoring well with a low kick there.
Makhachev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position. Lynchenko manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage. This has been an exciting period of action! Makhachev misses with a punch on the inside.
Makhachev can't get the takedown.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Lynchenko successfully pulls guard.
Lynchenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Makhachev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Makhachev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Makhachev trying to control but Lynchenko is working from the bottom. Makhachev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lynchenko is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Makhachev, into his guard.
Makhachev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lynchenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Lynchenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position. Makhachev has his foot on Lynchenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lynchenko works his way back into a safe position though. Lynchenko wants to control from the top but Makhachev keeps moving. The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Makhachev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage. Islam Makhachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Vasilii Lynchenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight. Makhachev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lynchenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lynchenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that's the end of the fight! I would just about give that final round to Vasilii Lynchenko. Well Lynchenko 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:29 Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:29 Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 26:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilii Lynchenko! Vasilii Lynchenko got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'
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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
30% |
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