PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pavlo Denysuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Hardenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Denysuk
vs
Hardenov

191 cm
23
210 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

186 cm
18
218 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

ON TAP 160Q Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavlo Denysuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Hardenov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denysuk takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Denysuk tries to clinch but Hardenov moves out of range.
Hardenov lunges at Denysuk with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Denysuk's hand.
Hardenov lands with a cross.
Hardenov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Denysuk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Denysuk fails with an attempt to clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hardenov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Denysuk staying out of range there.
Hardenov scores with a shot to the body.
Denysuk fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardenov thuds a left hand into Denysuk's body.
Hardenov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Denysuk closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardenov misses with a hook. Denysuk ducked under it nicely.
Denysuk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Denysuk takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hardenov feints a jab promting Denysuk to slip. Hardenov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Denysuk slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A big left from Hardenov misses.
Hardenov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab, jab by Hardenov - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardenov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Denysuk.
Hardenov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Denysuk's hands.
Denysuk closes the distance but Hardenov moves to the side
and Hardenov counters with a straight right hand.
Hardenov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hardenov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice shot lands for Hardenov.
Hardenov throws a one two combo.
Hardenov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hardenov tests Denysuk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hardenov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardenov lands with a right hand.
Denysuk tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Denysuk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hardenov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denysuk tries to clinch there but Hardenov circles away.
Hardenov connects with a nice looking jab.
Denysuk walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Denysuk is rocked!
Hardenov is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Denysuk flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Denysuk is out cold! Hardenov holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Igor Hardenov!