PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Haywood Badger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Tsoi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tsoi's choice of entrance music: Zvezda po Imeni Solnce. 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.

Badger
vs
Tsoi

161 cm
25
134 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

169 cm
21
133 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

VIRAL COMBAT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Haywood Badger!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Viktor Tsoi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsoi moves out of range of the leg kick from Badger.
Tsoi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tsoi throws a big shot that misses.
Viktor Tsoi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Badger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsoi.
Badger looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsoi is just out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tsoi.
Tsoi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Badger throws out the jab.
Tsoi lands a glancing blow to the side of Badger's head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Badger lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tsoi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tsoi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Badger misses with a straight left.
Tsoi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Badger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tsoi.
Badger jabs at Tsoi's body.
Tsoi throws out a leg kick but Badger moves out of range and Tsoi only half commits.
Badger does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Badger delivers a nice body kick.

Badger shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tsoi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Badger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tsoi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi controls Badger momentarily but Badger frees himself.
Tsoi looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsoi, not yet.
Badger controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Badger's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Tsoi working a defensive guard but Badger passes into half guard.
Badger is controlling the pace.
Badger trying to control from half guard but Tsoi is working away.
Badger prevents Tsoi from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi wants to control but Badger is keeping busy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Badger lands with a kick to the temple. Tsoi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Badger throws a sloppy head kick and Tsoi moves out of range easily.
Badger has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tsoi.
A clash of legs there as Tsoi blocks the low kick.
Badger scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Badger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tsoi throws out the jab.
Tsoi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Badger.
That kick from Tsoi tenderised Badger's leg. Badger is trying to keep his angry face on.
Badger throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tsoi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Badger walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tsoi.
A jab from Tsoi does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Badger.
Badger tests Tsoi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That kick from Tsoi tenderised Badger's leg. Badger is trying to keep his angry face on.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tsoi.
Badger takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Nice combo by Badger! Oh, that's hurt him - Tsoi falls to the canvas and Badger follows him into side control.

Tsoi is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Badger happy to just control the position for now.
Tsoi is still in real trouble! Can Badger finish him?
Tsoi tries to buck Badger off but Badger is having none of it.

Badger thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tsoi seems to have recovered his senses.
Tsoi defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Badger in the domination position with Tsoi hanging on.
Tsoi is not content to let Badger control the position.
You can see the frustration on Tsoi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Badger staying calm.
Badger advances to full mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Badger controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haywood Badger dominated that round.
That's time! Badger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tsoi cracks the inside of Badger's front leg.
Badger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsoi tries a head kick but it misses.
Badger attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tsoi swings for the body but Badger moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Badger lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Tsoi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tsoi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Badger misses with a looping right.
Badger dives in and grabs Tsoi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tsoi pushes down on Badger's head and hops out.
Badger checks the leg kick.
Badger throws a solid leg kick but Tsoi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Badger.
Badger moves out of range as Tsoi throws a body kick.
Tsoi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tsoi.
Badger misses with a wild body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Tsoi as Badger shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Tsoi.
Tsoi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Badger. That did some damage!
Tsoi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tsoi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Badger blocks the leg kick.
Badger digs a good body shot into Tsoi's ribs.
Viktor Tsoi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Badger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Badger throws a half hearted mid kick.
Badger scores with a nice strike.
Badger throws a low kick, looking for Tsoi's leg but Tsoi calmly moves out of range.
Tsoi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tsoi lands a head shot.
Badger is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Badger avoids a kick to the body.
Haywood Badger is winning the standup battle so far.
Badger wants to land a leg kick but Tsoi is out of range.
Tsoi misses with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsoi motions for Badger to come forward. Tsoi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Badger takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Badger misses the shot to the body.
Badger throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A clash of legs there as Tsoi blocks the low kick.
Badger misses with a body shot.
Tsoi takes a swing at Badger's ribcage but misses.
Badger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Badger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tsoi tries a low kick but Badger avoids it.
Badger blocks a leg kick.
Badger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Badger blocks the body kick.
Badger scores with a body shot.
Tsoi takes one on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi tries to land a leg kick but Badger saw it coming and moves away.
Badger is looking to slow Tsoi down with leg kicks.
Tsoi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tsoi.
Tsoi misses with a leg kick.
Tsoi takes a swing at Badger's ribcage but misses.

Badger shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tsoi napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Badger looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Badger is putting a hurting on Tsoi here, landing some big shots from side control.
Tsoi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Badger.
Tsoi is trying to control Badger's posture but Badger avoids it.
Tsoi trying to remain calm as Badger controls from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Badger has control of an arm but Tsoi manages to advance to Badger's back!
Tsoi not allowing Badger to control his hands.
Tsoi trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Badger doesn't escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badger tries to roll but Tsoi sticks to his back.

Tsoi is looking for the choke from the back position but Badger is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Haywood Badger will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Badger throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tsoi is looking to land body kicks.
Tsoi lands a nice shot that snaps Badger's head back.
Tsoi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Badger throws a looping overhand right but Tsoi ducks down to avoid it.
Badger misses with a leg kick
and Tsoi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Badger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsoi.
Tsoi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tsoi tries to land a leg kick but Badger saw it coming and moves away.
Badger just misses with a punch to the body.
Tsoi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tsoi misses with a hook. Badger ducked under it nicely.
Tsoi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Badger.
Tsoi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Badger's head backwards.
Badger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsoi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badger throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tsoi connects with a body shot that sends Badger's belly button to the back.
Tsoi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Badger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsoi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Badger counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Badger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tsoi is keeping the position for now.
Badger chips away with some ground and pound.

Tsoi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Badger is aware though and is defending well.
Tsoi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Badger not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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!
Badger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Badger's guard.
Badger working a defensive guard here.

Badger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tsoi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tsoi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Badger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tsoi wants to control from the top but Badger keeps moving.
Badger is trying to control the position but Tsoi postures up.
Badger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badger trying to control the position.

Badger is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Badger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tsoi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tsoi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tsoi trying to control the position from guard on top but Badger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsoi is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Badger throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Badger is looking for a triangle but Tsoi pushes his legs off easily.
Tsoi passes Badger's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Badger wants to improve his position but Tsoi is controlling well.
Tsoi is looking to take a break and control but Badger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badger is looking for a sweep. Tsoi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Haywood Badger did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Badger checks a leg kick nicely.

Badger scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Tsoi actively working from the bottom here.

Tsoi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Badger is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Badger slows the pace down in half guard.
Tsoi trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi is trying to get back to full guard.

Tsoi actively working from the bottom here.
Badger controlling the action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tsoi is trying to control but can't.
Tsoi is not content to let Badger control the position.
Tsoi trying to hold on to Badger's head to control him but Badger postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Haywood Badger wasn't doing enough on the ground.
The fighters circling - Tsoi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tsoi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Badger takes a step back to recover.
Badger will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Badger is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tsoi's half guard.
Tsoi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Badger is working away from the top position though.
Tsoi is looking to improve his position.
Tsoi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Badger is taking a breather. Tsoi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Tsoi wants to control the action here but instead Badger manages to pass to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Badger cracks Tsoi with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Tsoi is looking to get to half guard.

Badger goes for an armbar but Tsoi turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tsoi.

Badger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tsoi wants to pass the guard but Badger is keeping the position.

Badger has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsoi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Haywood Badger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi looking to sit in guard and control but Badger gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Tsoi controls Badger momentarily but Badger frees himself.

Tsoi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Badger is aware though and is defending well.
Badger is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badger postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Badger postures up in Tsoi's guard and throws a big left but Tsoi blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haywood Badger had his way with Viktor Tsoi in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tsoi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tsoi blocks a leg kick.
Badger 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.
Tsoi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Badger walks into a jab.
Badger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tsoi was well out of range. Poor timing from Badger.
Badger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tsoi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Badger somewhat.
Tsoi feints and then cracks Badger's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Badger down.
Badger takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Badger is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tsoi.
Badger misses the shot to the body.
Tsoi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The fighters circling - Badger throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoi looks to land a left hand but Badger moved out of range nicely.
Tsoi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Badger.
Badger jabs Tsoi right on the nose. Tsoi blinks but takes it well.
Badger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Badger throws a chopping leg kick but Tsoi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tsoi looks to score with a jab to the body but Badger is just out of range.
Tsoi misses the shot to the body.
Tsoi scores with a sloppy right hand. Badger should have avoided that one.

Badger darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tsoi trying to control here.
Viktor Tsoi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Badger throwing shots but Tsoi is blocking nicely.
Tsoi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Badger.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Badger in particular looking to stall.
Badger winds up and cracks Tsoi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Haywood Badger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tsoi is trying to get back to full guard.
Badger keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Tsoi actively working from the bottom here.
Badger seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haywood Badger has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Tsoi throws a series of punches but Badger moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Badger misses.
Tsoi misses with a leg kick.
Tsoi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Badger cracks Tsoi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tsoi looks to land a right hand but Badger moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsoi tries to work over Badger's front leg with a kick but Badger checks it.
Badger jabs Tsoi right on the nose. Tsoi blinks but takes it well.
Tsoi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tsoi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Badger.
Tsoi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Badger's sensitive parts.
Good exchange - Badger coming out on top.
Tsoi scores with a push kick.
Tsoi swings for the body but Badger moves out of range.
Badger lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Tsoi misses its intended target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Badger moves out of range of the body kick from Tsoi.
Badger bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tsoi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haywood Badger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Badger has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:47
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Haywood Badger!
Haywood Badger retains his bantamweight title!