PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hironobu Uematsu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Radev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolai Radev has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Hironobu Uematsu's chin.

Uematsu
vs
Radev

188 cm
32
203 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

184 cm
32
190 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hironobu Uematsu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nikolai Radev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Radev scoring well with a low kick there.
Uematsu on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Radev lands with a thumping leg kick.
Radev throws a head kick that misses.
Radev dives in for a single leg takedown but Uematsu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A swing and a miss from Radev.
Some bone on bone action there as Uematsu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Radev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Uematsu checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Uematsu throwing a counter right hand but Radev manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Uematsu.
Nikolai Radev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Radev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Uematsu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A head kick from Radev lands but Uematsu takes it in his stride.

It looks like Hironobu Uematsu has been cut.
Uematsu listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Radev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Uematsu counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev misses with an uppercut.
Uematsu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Radev missing with a left hand there. Uematsu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Uematsu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Uematsu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Radev.
Uematsu lands with a cross.
Uematsu swinging wildly here.
Radev tries to counter by closing the distance.
Uematsu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Uematsu misses with a body shot.
Radev tries to counter with a clinch but Uematsu shakes him off and moves away.
Radev cracks Uematsu with an open hand slap.
Uematsu tests Radev's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uematsu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Radev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Uematsu is able to avoid easily.
Uematsu has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Elite MMA Training Facility in the buildup to the fight.
Radev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
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!

Uematsu closes the distance and pushes Radev back into the cage.
Uematsu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Uematsu misses with the head strike.
Radev blocking some punches.
Radev is working Uematsu over against the cage.
Uematsu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Radev misses with some punches.
Uematsu misses with a punch on the inside.
Radev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Radev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Uematsu backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Radev.
A head punch on the inside from Uematsu fails to land.

Radev breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev lunges at Uematsu with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Uematsu's hand.
Radev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Uematsu's head backwards.
Radev looks to land a left hand but Uematsu moved out of range nicely.
Radev throws a push kick but Uematsu slaps the foot to one side.
Radev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Radev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Uematsu's head.
Radev misses with a body kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Uematsu misses the target.
Uematsu checks a leg kick.
Uematsu is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Uematsu scores with a jab. Radev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A slow jab from Radev misses its intended target.
Uematsu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Radev throws a leg kick but Uematsu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Radev swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev missing with a left hand there. Uematsu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Radev throws a hook but Uematsu avoids it easily.
Radev moves out of range as Uematsu throws a body kick.
Nice body punch from Radev.
Hironobu Uematsu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Radev tried to score with a low kick but Uematsu checks it.
Uematsu throws a quick counter kick to the body but Radev avoids it.
Uematsu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Uematsu there as he acknowledges the shot.
Radev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Radev misses with a leg kick
and Uematsu counters with a nice uppercut.
Radev throws a leg kick but Uematsu moved away.
Radev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Radev jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Radev misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hironobu Uematsu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Uematsu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Uematsu walks into a straight right hand from Radev.
Radev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Radev 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.
Radev scores with a hook.
Uematsu throws a sloppy head kick and Radev moves out of range easily.
Radev chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Uematsu takes one to the chin there.
Radev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It looked like Uematsu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Radev. Uematsu shrugs it off though.
Radev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Uematsu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Uematsu misses with a double jab.
Uematsu misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uematsu blocks a jab.
Uematsu scores with a jab.
Radev connects with a solid leg kick.
Radev scoring well with a low kick there.
Uematsu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Radev on the side of the head.
A punch lands to the side of Radev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nikolai Radev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Uematsu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Radev's hands.
Radev lands a leg kick that knocks Uematsu off balance momentarily.
Uematsu throws a hook but Radev blocks it.
Uematsu checks a low kick from Radev.
Radev thows a leg kick but Uematsu checks it
and Uematsu counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Radev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Radev showed some decent athleticism there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Radev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Uematsu is refusing to be controlled, as Radev sits in half guard.
Uematsu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Uematsu is controlling Radev's posture.
Radev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Uematsu is trying to control the position but Radev postures up.
Uematsu pulls Radev in to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Radev blocks a leg kick.
Radev misses with a hook
and Uematsu counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Uematsu is looking to land body kicks.
Radev cracks Uematsu with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Uematsu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Uematsu throws a big counter combination but Radev scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Radev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Radev scoring well with a low kick there.
Radev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Radev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Radev moves out of range as Uematsu strikes.
Good exchange - Uematsu coming out on top.
Uematsu tries to clinch but Radev moves away
and Radev counters with a good, hard body kick but Uematsu shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Radev sizes up Uematsu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev blocks a jab.
Radev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Uematsu doesn't seem bothered though.
Uematsu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Uematsu darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Radev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Uematsu staying out of range there.
Radev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Uematsus jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Radev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Uematsu throws out the jab.

Radev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Radev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Uematsu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hironobu Uematsu's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Radev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Uematsu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Radev ducks under a wild hook from Uematsu.
Radev flicks out a counter leg kick but Uematsu steps away.
Uematsu moves out of range as Radev strikes.
Uematsu tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Radev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice shot by Radev.
Radev tried to score with a low kick but Uematsu checks it.

Uematsu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Radev misses with a punch on the inside.
Radev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Uematsu misses with some punches.
Uematsu throws a head punch that misses.
Uematsu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Radev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev lands with a right to the head.
Radev blocking some punches.
Radev tries a body shot but Uematsu blocks it.
Radev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Uematsu is defending well.
Uematsu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Radev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Uematsu fails to land.
Uematsu throws a punch but it's blocked by Radev.
Radev wants a takedown.
Uematsu pushes Radev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Radev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Uematsu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Radev misses with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Uematsu.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Uematsu.
A nice right hand lands inside from Uematsu.
Uematsu misses with a punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Uematsu.
Hironobu Uematsu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uematsu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Uematsu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Uematsu throws a head punch that misses.
Radev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Radev manages to break the clinch.

Uematsu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Uematsu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Uematsu working aggressively here.
Radev misses with some punches.
Radev lands with a light punch inside.
Uematsu misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Uematsu.
Uematsu misses with a punch on the inside.
Hironobu Uematsu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Uematsu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Uematsu misses with the head strike.
Radev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Uematsu throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uematsu has a couple of punches blocked by Radev.
Uematsu misses with some punches.
Uematsu misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Uematsu fails to land.
Uematsu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Uematsu fails to land.
Uematsu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Radev wants to stall.
Uematsu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Uematsu scores with a shot to the side of Radev's head.
Uematsu misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Radev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Uematsu misses with the head strike.
Uematsu misses with some punches.
Radev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hironobu Uematsu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolai Radev.
Uematsu swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Radev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Uematsu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nice body punch from Radev.
Radev leaning his opponent against the cage.
Uematsu misses with the head strike.
Uematsu throws a head punch that misses.
Radev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nikolai Radev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Uematsu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Radev on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Radev lands a right hand.
Radev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Uematsu backwards.
A body shot lands from Radev.
Uematsu misses with the head strike.
Uematsu swings wildly with an uppercut but Radev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Uematsu fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hironobu Uematsu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Radev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Radev!
After winning the bout, Nikolai Radev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.