PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kurtis Hugs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny McCash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hugs comes to the cage accompanied by Ready to Die- Andrew W.K.. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hugs
vs
McCash

180 cm
19
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Team S.W.A.T.

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 St Petersburg, Kurtis Hugs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny McCash!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hugs misses with a low kick.
McCash shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hugs pinned against the cage. Hugs gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hugs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McCash avoids a punch combination nicely.
A combination from Hugs does no damage.
Hugs stuffs the takedown attempt from McCash. McCash gets slowly back to his feet.
Hugs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hugs throws a series of punches but McCash moves out of range.
Hugs uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McCash has a takedown stuffed.
Kurtis Hugs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny McCash.

Hugs darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCash trying to control but Hugs postures up.
Hugs is pressing down on McCash's thigh, looking to free his foot. McCash is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hugs not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCash looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hugs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCash defending well though.

Hugs is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hugs is keen to just control but McCash is a slippery customer.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McCash can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hugs with the ground and pound but McCash uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hugs throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hugs is breathing heavily.

Hugs tries to keep at a distance but McCash has taken the fight into the clinch.

McCash successfully pulls guard.
McCash preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hugs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCash is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hugs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

McCash had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hugs is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. McCash Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hugs's back instead.
McCash is working the ground and pound. Can Hugs escape?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hugs looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
McCash is hanging on to Hugs's back as he tries to escape.
McCash struggling to keep hold of the position.
Hugs turns into McCash and is now in his guard.
Hugs stops McCash from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McCash misses with a takedown attempt

and Hugs counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McCash really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hugs. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hugs preventing the sweep.
Hugs tries to free his leg and advance position but McCash is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hugs postures up in McCash's guard and throws a big left but McCash blocks it.
Hugs scoring with some ground and pound.
Hugs wants to control from the top but McCash keeps moving.

Hugs decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Hugs tries a head kick but it misses.

Hugs shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hugs showed some decent athleticism there.
Hugs working over McCash with some ground and pound. McCash looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hugs working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McCash pushes Hugs off looking to stand but Hugs dives back in and keeps control.
Hugs prevents McCash from improving his position.
Hugs has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCash tries to hold on but Hugs postures up.
Hugs unloading with bombs!
McCash is wriggling around trying to escape.
McCash in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
McCash wants to control but Hugs is having none of it.

Hugs working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCash taking shots to the head.
McCash is in a horrible position here. Hugs smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurtis Hugs dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McCash.
Hugs tries a head kick but it misses.
Kurtis Hugs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hugs pushes McCash away with a front kick.
McCash tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hugs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCash looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
McCash lands a head kick!
McCash is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McCash tries to clinch but Hugs is having none of it.
Hugs 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.
Hugs throws a leg kick that is checked

and McCash moves into the clinch.
McCash tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hugs just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hugs cracks McCash with a nice body shot.
McCash tries to pull guard but Hugs holds him up against the cage and eventually McCash drops back down to his feet.
Kurtis Hugs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny McCash.
McCash is breathing heavily.
McCash wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hugs wants to break free but McCash has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCash lands an elbow inside.
McCash tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hugs just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hugs.

Hugs breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hugs throws a head kick that misses.
Hugs throws a series of punches but McCash avoids them all with ease.
Kurtis Hugs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hugs throws a lazy head kick
and McCash connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hugs misses with a straight left.
Hugs falls off balance throwing a combination
and McCash makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
McCash thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hugs if he has to take too many more of those.
McCash feints and then cracks Hugs's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hugs down.
McCash moves in looking to clinch but Hugs pushes him off.
Hugs misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McCash misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hugs.
Hugs pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hugs lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A big right from Hugs misses.
McCash lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCash doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hugs counters with a nice uppercut.

Hugs closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Hugs is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McCash knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hugs throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
McCash is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hugs misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
McCash is trying to get back to half guard.
Hugs prevents McCash from escaping the position.
McCash wants to control but Hugs postures up.
McCash is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on McCash's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McCash doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hugs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hugs throws an ugly left hook that misses

and McCash counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hugs won't be happy with that.

McCash decides to stand back up.
Hugs misses with a body shot
and McCash counters with a thumping low kick.
McCash misses with an uppercut.
McCash wants to clinch up but Hugs keeps it at a distance.
McCash showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hugs.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCash.
Hugs swinging wilding here.
Hugs shoots in for a takedown but McCash shows good takedown defense.

Hugs tries to keep at a distance but McCash has taken the fight into the clinch.
McCash tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hugs's elbow.
Hugs wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hugs is trying to stall.
McCash wants to get back to striking at distance but Hugs won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hugs scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McCash has Hugs pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hugs manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Hugs manages to break the clinch.

Hugs shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on 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!
Hugs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hugs works over McCash with some ground and pound from guard.
Hugs passes into half guard.
Hugs lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McCash wants to control the action here but instead Hugs manages to pass to full mount!
McCash can't escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hugs looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Kurtis Hugs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hugs lands a nice shot to the head.
McCash tries to hold on but Hugs postures up.
A nice elbow there by Hugs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kurtis Hugs dominated that second round.
That's time! Hugs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McCash swats away the attempt to clinch by Hugs.
McCash has his takedown stuffed
and Hugs counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. McCash is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Horrible takedown by Hugs or perhaps it was just good defense by McCash which made him look bad.
Hugs throws a right hand that McCash ducks under and follows up with a left that McCash also avoids with ease.
Hugs throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and McCash counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McCash.
McCash jumps guard but Hugs stands there with McCash around his waist. McCash gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McCash is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hugs gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kurtis Hugs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny McCash.
Hugs wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hugs gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McCash.
Hugs using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCash has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McCash can't get the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCash wants a takedown but no success here.
The referee calls for McCash to work.
Hugs wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCash changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hugs fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McCash misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A low kick from Hugs is predictable there
and McCash counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A head kick by Hugs misses
and McCash counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hugs thinking.
McCash shoots in for a double leg but Hugs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hugs throws a lazy head kick
and McCash counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
McCash looks to clinch

and Hugs counters with a nice double leg into side control. McCash won't be happy with that.
McCash taking punishment in the form of punches.

Hugs is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McCash is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
McCash tries to bench press Hugs off him but Hugs keeps the position.

Hugs decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Hugs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hugs throws a lazy uppercut

and McCash counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hugs sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hugs keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McCash is tying to control. Hugs wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

McCash stands up from half guard.
McCash throws a series of strikes that have Hugs backpedaling.
Hugs throws a left and a right that both miss
and McCash counters with a nice leg kick.
Hugs stuffs the takedown.
McCash doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hugs decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCash's guard.
Hugs stands and throws McCash's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hugs connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused McCash some visible discomfort.
Hugs working the ground and pound.
Hugs working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
McCash gets back to half guard.
Hugs lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCash is trying to control but can't.
McCash wants to improve his position but Hugs is controlling well.
McCash trying to hold on to Hugs's head to control him but Hugs postures up.

Hugs is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McCash defends it well.
McCash has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hugs is working away from the top position though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Hugs throws a left and a right that both miss

and McCash counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hugs won't be happy with that.
Hugs manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hugs seems to be looking for submissions.
McCash wants to control but Hugs is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hugs working the head and body with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hugs connects with a nice short shot to McCash's temple.
Hugs lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
McCash is staying active underneath Hugs, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hugs is nestled in close to McCash, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hugs landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hugs lands with a punch from half guard.
McCash is refusing to be controlled, as Hugs sits in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCash won't allow Hugs to pass to mount.
Johnny McCash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hugs is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McCash avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hugs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kurtis Hugs showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hugs, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kurtis Hugs!