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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Richmond Finch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnost Paskalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paskalev has chosen The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.
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| 176 cm
32
148 lbs
24 - 13 - 1 |
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173 cm
26
153 lbs
20 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richmond Finch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Arnost Paskalev!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finch's corner calls for a 1-2. Finch obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Paskalev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Finch.
Finch lands a nice hook to Paskalev's body. Paskalev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Finch lands a jab.
Finch scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Finch throws a looping overhand right but Paskalev ducks down to avoid it.
Finch lands with a thumping leg kick.
Paskalev with a poor takedown
and Finch counters with a low kick, right behind Paskalev 's knee.
Finch throws a jab but it's blocked by Paskalev.
Finch throws a lazy uppercut
and Paskalev counters with a shoot takedown. Finch fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Paskalev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Finch is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Paskalev, into his guard.
Paskalev has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Finch is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Paskalev.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch tries to move to mount but Paskalev blocks the move with his legs.
Paskalev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Finch wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Finch in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Paskalev tries to improve position but can't.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Paskalev keeps trying to improve his position.
Finch advances to full mount.
Finch is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Paskalev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
It looks like Arnost Paskalev has been cut.
Nice shot lands for Finch.
Paskalev blocks a leg kick.
Paskalev with the counter takedown but Finch avoids it easily.
Richmond Finch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paskalev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Finch throws a head kick that misses
and Paskalev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Finch won't be happy with that.
Finch tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Paskalev landing a few strikes.
Finch has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Paskalev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Finch is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Finch wants to control but Paskalev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Paskalev trying to pass the guard but Finch defending well.
Paskalev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Finch wants to improve his position but Paskalev is controlling well.
Finch is working hard here to advance position.
Paskalev drops an elbow to the side of Finch's head.
Paskalev seems to be looking for submissions.
Finch is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Paskalev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Finch keeps working.
Paskalev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Finch tries to get to full guard but Paskalev has control of the leg.
Paskalev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Richmond Finch dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arnost Paskalev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Finch fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Paskalev checks it well.
Paskalev keeps Finch at a distance using the push kick.
Finch cracks Paskalev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Finch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paskalev can do to turn this around?
Paskalev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Finch.
Paskalev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finch defends it well.
Finch scores with a jab to the jaw.
Finch tries to work over Paskalev's front leg with a kick but Paskalev checks it.
Finch throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Paskalev counters with a single leg into guard. Finch didn't expect that.
Paskalev being controlled here momentarily.
Paskalev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paskalev prevents Finch from getting back to his feet.
Paskalev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paskalev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paskalev chips away with some ground and pound.
Paskalev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Finch dives on top into guard.
Finch seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Paskalev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paskalev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finch defends it easily.
Finch passes easily into side control. Nice work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev is looking for a sweep.
Paskalev 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.
Finch wants to control but Paskalev is keeping him busy.
Paskalev tries to bench press Finch off him but Finch keeps the position.
Finch trying to control the position but Paskalev is working away.
Paskalev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
It looks like Finch is going to stand back up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch decides to stand up.
Finch throws a poor cross that misses
and Paskalev counters with a takedown into side control.
Paskalev lands a nice forearm strike.
Paskalev is trying to get an arm triangle but Finch is defending well.
Paskalev throws a strike aimed at the side of Finch's head but Finch avoids it well.
Paskalev in side control lands a decent elbow.
The strikes coming from Paskalev are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Paskalev working away.
Paskalev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev tries to move into full mount but can't pass Finch's legs.
An elbow from Paskalev crashes against the mat.
Finch is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Paskalev scores with punches from side control.
Paskalev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
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!
Finch takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Paskalev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Paskalev creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Paskalev moves into full mount!
Finch slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Arnost Paskalev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Arnost Paskalev's cut.
That's time! Finch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Finch misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paskalev.
Paskalev checks a leg kick.
Paskalev feints the counter takedown.
Finch pivots, looking for a leg kick but Paskalev is out of range and Finch settles back down.
Finch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paskalev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Finch.
Finch throws a leg kick that misses.
Paskalev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Finch throws a leg kick that is checked
and Paskalev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Finch is keeping the position for now.
Paskalev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paskalev wants to control from the top but Finch keeps moving.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paskalev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Paskalev preventing the sweep.
Paskalev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Finch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Finch keeping full guard, as Paskalev tries to pass.
Paskalev pushing down on Finch's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Finch is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Paskalev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Paskalev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Finch wants to improve his position but Paskalev is controlling well.
Finch keeping control of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Paskalev throws a strike but Finch avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Finch looking for a sweep. Not yet Finch, not yet.
Paskalev tries to free his leg and advance position but Finch is retaining full guard.
Finch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Paskalev manages to get himself to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paskalev is on top in guard.
Finch is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Paskalev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Paskalev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Paskalev throws a big right hand that misses.
Paskalev scoring with some ground and pound.
Paskalev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Finch works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Paskalev distracts Finch with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Finch utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev won't allow Finch to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paskalev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Finch swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Paskalev postures up in Finch's guard and throws a big left but Finch blocks it.
Paskalev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paskalev tries to free his leg and advance position but Finch is retaining full guard.
Paskalev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Paskalev with a nice head shot there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paskalev looking to pass the guard.
Arnost Paskalev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Finch looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Arnost Paskalev really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arnost Paskalev's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Finch misses with a hook. Paskalev ducked under it nicely.
Finch loads up on a big right hand but Paskalev slips the punch.
Paskalev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Paskalev appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Finch connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Paskalev's hands.
Finch misses with an uppercut
and Paskalev counters with a slapping leg kick.
Finch pivots, looking for a leg kick but Paskalev is out of range and Finch settles back down.
Paskalev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finch defends it well.
Richmond Finch is winning the standup battle so far.
Finch scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paskalev moves out of range of the body kick from Finch.
Paskalev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Finch is looking to score with low kicks.
Paskalev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finch defends it well.
Paskalev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Paskalev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Finch sneaks out the side door and pushes Paskalev away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paskalev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Finch.
Paskalev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finch defends it well.
Paskalev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Paskalev tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Paskalev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Finch.
Paskalev throws a leg kick
and Finch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Paskalev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Finch. Finch obviously looking to wear him down.
Finch throws the kick towards the body but Paskalev avoids it.
Finch misses with a two punch combination.
Paskalev feints a counter leg kick.
Finch misses with a hook.
Paskalev with the counter takedown but Finch avoids it easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paskalev thinks about the counter body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Paskalev.
Paskalev walks into a straight right hand from Finch.
Finch waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paskalev.
Paskalev feints the counter takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Finch misses the shot to the body.
Paskalev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Finch takes a swing at Paskalev's ribcage but misses.
Paskalev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Finch scores with a leg kick.
Finch misses with a leg kick.
Paskalev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Paskalev moves out of range of the body kick from Finch.
Paskalev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev shoots in looking for a takedown but Finch manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Paskalev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Finch throws a big shot that misses.
Paskalev feints a counter leg kick.
Finch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Good exchange - Finch coming out on top.
Paskalev blocks a jab.
Paskalev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Finch defends it well.
Paskalev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Finch misses with a wild body shot.
Paskalev appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Finch pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Finch falls off balance throwing a combination
and Paskalev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Paskalev.
Finch is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Paskalev dives into side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finch parries the strikes from Paskalev easily there. Paskalev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Finch to escape.
Paskalev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Finch wants to get back to his feet but Paskalev drags him back down.
Finch tries to buck Paskalev off but Paskalev is having none of it.
Paskalev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Paskalev is putting a hurting on Finch here, landing some big shots from side control.
Paskalev throws a strike aimed at the side of Finch's head but Finch avoids it well.
Paskalev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Richmond Finch had his way with Arnost Paskalev in that round.
The cut man is working on Arnost Paskalev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!
Finch waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paskalev.
Paskalev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Finch connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Paskalev scrambles back to his feet.
Finch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Finch smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice uppercut lands for Finch. That snapped Paskalev's head back.
Finch misses with a body kick.
Paskalev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Paskalev slips under a jab from Finch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finch waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paskalev.
Paskalev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Finch checks a low kick from Paskalev.
Finch was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A lazy body kick from Finch
and Paskalev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Finch!
Finch dodges the ground and pound from Paskalev.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch is trying to get back to half guard.
Paskalev looks up at the clock and then as Finch takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Paskalev smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Paskalev lands an elbow.
You can see the frustration on Finch's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Paskalev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Finch, who protects the arm well.
Finch stops Paskalev from passing to mount.
Paskalev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev working the ground and pound.
Finch is trying to control Paskalev's posture but Paskalev avoids it.
Paskalev scores with punches from side control.
Finch prevents Paskalev from improving position.
Paskalev is trying to get an arm triangle but Finch is defending well.
Check out the look on Paskalev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch dodges the ground and pound from Paskalev.
Finch avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Paskalev.
Paskalev is trying to get an arm triangle but Finch is defending well.
Paskalev 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.
Paskalev looks up at the clock and then as Finch takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Paskalev smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Paskalev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Finch is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev throws a strike aimed at the side of Finch's head but Finch avoids it well.
Paskalev moves into full mount!
Paskalev avoids the attempt from Finch to control.
Finch holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Paskalev tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Paskalev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
A nice elbow there by Paskalev.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paskalev looking to finish Finch with some ground and pound. This is bad for Finch!
Finch avoids a series of strikes thrown by Paskalev.
A nice elbow there by Paskalev.
And that's the end of the fight!
Arnost Paskalev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Paskalev 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arnost Paskalev!
During a confident post fight interview, Arnost Paskalev thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Richmond Finch spoke after the fight, saying 'I guess I'll be drowning my sorrows instead of celebrating at tonight's after party. '.
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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
46% |
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