PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Winston Churchill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Bakiyev
vs
Churchill

171 cm
25
163 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

170 cm
24
165 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Winston Churchill!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Churchill instigates a clinch.
Bakiyev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Bakiyev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Churchill is looking to clinch.
Bakiyev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Churchill misses with a two punch combination.
Bakiyev stuns Churchill with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Churchill takes the fight into the clinch.
Churchill keeps control of Bakiyev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Churchill presses Bakiyev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Churchill tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakiyev is trying to force a seperation but Churchill has the dominant position.
Churchill tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Churchill tries to work over Bakiyev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Churchill tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakiyev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Churchill working aggressively here.
Bakiyev blocks an uppercut.
Churchill swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Churchill lands an uppercut.
Churchill swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bakiyev blocking some punches.
Churchill swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.

Bakiyev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bakiyev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bakiyev throws a body shot but no joy.

Churchill gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
Churchill doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Churchill misses with a punch on the inside.
Churchill struggles to land a body shot inside as Bakiyev controls his hands.
Bakiyev takes a shot to the head.
Bakiyev blocks an uppercut.
Churchill tries to work over Bakiyev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Churchill goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bakiyev is looking to break free of the clinch but Churchill has double underhooks.
Churchill can't find room to land a body shot as Bakiyev controls the action.
Churchill tries to throw a body punch but Bakiyev avoids it by throwing Churchill back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A hook to the body from Churchill.
Churchill misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Churchill fails to land.
Bakiyev working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Churchill cracks Bakiyev with a nice body shot.
Churchill can't find room to land a body shot as Bakiyev controls the action.
Churchill has a couple of punches blocked by Bakiyev.
Churchill lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Churchill has him pressed against the cage.
Bakiyev wants to break free but Churchill has control.
Churchill tries to work over Bakiyev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Churchill doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bakiyev blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bakiyev.
Churchill swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Churchill fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
Churchill tries to throw a body punch but Bakiyev avoids it by throwing Churchill back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Churchill fails to land.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Churchill.
Churchill throws a head punch that misses.
Bakiyev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bakiyev.
Churchill lands a body punch.
Churchill misses with a punch to the body.
Churchill has a couple of punches blocked by Bakiyev.
Churchill misses with a short punch on the inside.
Churchill makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Churchill tries a body shot but Bakiyev blocks it.
Churchill throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bakiyevs head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Churchill goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Churchill throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winston Churchill 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.

Churchill tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fighters circling - Churchill throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A low kick from Churchill is predictable there
and Bakiyev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Churchill is looking to slow Bakiyev down with leg kicks.
Bakiyev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Churchill doesn't seem bothered though.
Bakiyev takes a swing at Churchill's ribcage but misses.
Bakiyev is looking to wear down Churchill with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Bakiyev tries to keep at a distance but Churchill has taken the fight into the clinch.
Churchill working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Churchill tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakiyev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Bakiyev breaks from the clinch.
Churchill throws a hook but Bakiyev blocks it.
Bakiyev misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Churchill closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Churchill.
Churchill misses with a short punch on the inside.
Churchill swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
Winston Churchill seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Churchill has a couple of punches blocked by Bakiyev.
Bakiyev blocks an uppercut.
Churchill misses with a punch on the inside.
Churchill is leaning against Bakiyev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Churchill swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bakiyev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.
Bakiyev blocking some punches.
Churchill has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Churchill has a couple of punches blocked by Bakiyev.
Churchill swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bakiyev is trying to break the clinch but Churchill is controlling him.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Churchill tries to bum rush Bakiyev with a series of wild strikes but Bakiyev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Churchill rushes Bakiyev and presses him up against the cage.
Bakiyev blocking some punches.

Bakiyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Churchill doesn't manage to clinch there - Bakiyev circles away.
Churchill looks to score with a jab to the body but Bakiyev is just out of range.
Bakiyev throws a lazy right hand but Churchill sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Churchill looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Churchill fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bakiyev, pushing him back against the cage.
Bakiyev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Churchill.
Churchill lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Churchill misses with a hook to the ribs.
Churchill misses with a punch on the inside.
Churchill throws a head punch that misses.
Churchill working aggressively here.
Churchill makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.
Churchill fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Churchill throws a head punch that misses.
Churchill tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bakiyev's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
Churchill goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Bakiyev breaks from the clinch.
Churchill darts in trying to clinch
and Bakiyev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Churchill on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Churchill moves away.
Churchill misses the jab.

Churchill gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.
Churchill lands with a light punch inside.
Bakiyev working hard to break the clinch.
Churchill struggles to land a body shot inside as Bakiyev controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winston Churchill 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!

Bakiyev slips a jab and a cross from Churchill.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Winston Churchill is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Churchill takes one to the side of the head.
Churchill rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bakiyev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is winning the standup battle so far.
Churchill swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bakiyev counters with a straight right hand.
Churchill tries to land a leg kick but Bakiyev saw it coming and moves away.
Bakiyev throwing a counter right hand but Churchill manages to avoid it.
Churchill throws out a leg kick but Bakiyev moves out of range and Churchill only half commits.
Bakiyev moves out of range of the leg kick from Churchill.
Bakiyev throws the left hand but Churchill avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Churchill moves away.
Churchill is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Churchill misses with a double jab
and Bakiyev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Churchill gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Churchill misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bakiyev.
Churchill tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakiyev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Churchill.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Churchill.
Churchill lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bakiyev backwards.
Churchill misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Churchill.
Churchill scores with a shot to the side of Bakiyev's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Churchill tries to throw a body punch but Bakiyev avoids it by throwing Churchill back against the cage.
Churchill working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Churchill.
Bakiyev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bakiyev takes a shot to the head.
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!
Churchill tries to work over Bakiyev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Churchill.
Bakiyev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Winston Churchill is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bakiyev tries to break the clinch but Churchill is controlling the position.
Bakiyev is trying to push Churchill away but Churchill has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Churchill misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Churchill lands with a light punch inside.
Churchill misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Churchill.
Churchill swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bakiyev is trying to push Churchill away but Churchill has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Churchill tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bakiyev's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bakiyev is trying to break free.
Bakiyev prevents a body shot from Churchill.
Churchill scores with a shot to the side of Bakiyev's head.
Bakiyev wants to get back to striking at distance but Churchill won't allow it.
Churchill swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakiyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Churchill lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Winston Churchill comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Churchill winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Winston Churchill!
Winston Churchill decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.