PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike McLaughlin (ranked 217 p4p, 25 weight class) and Sergey Panikov (ranked 220 p4p, 26 weight class). Panikov has chosen Fighters as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McLaughlin
vs
Panikov

178 cm
28
148 lbs
15 - 5 - 2

160 cm
42
145 lbs
41 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike McLaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 41 - 23 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergey Panikov!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLaughlin moves into range and connects with a jab.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
As McLaughlin backs off Panikov throws a huge counter combo but McLaughlin manages to avoid it all.
Panikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Panikov ducks under a wild hook from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Panikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Panikov.
A counter left hand to the body from McLaughlin misses its target.
A punch combination from McLaughlin misses.
McLaughlin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Panikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Panikov! But no joy.
McLaughlin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Panikov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Panikov missing with a left hand there. McLaughlin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Panikov misses with a straight right.
McLaughlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panikov misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
Some wild striking there from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panikov misses the jab.
McLaughlin throws a big counter combination but Panikov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
Panikov misses with a wild body shot.
McLaughlin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McLaughlin looks to throw the jab but Panikov is out of range.
McLaughlin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Panikov lands a right hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from McLaughlin misses the target.
Panikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Panikov clinches up against the cage.
Panikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Panikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Panikov manages to break the clinch.
McLaughlin blocks a head kick by Panikov.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McLaughlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Panikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McLaughlin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McLaughlin throws the left hand but Panikov avoids the punch easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Panikov misses with a looping right.
McLaughlin swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McLaughlin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLaughlin is looking to wear down Panikov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panikov throws a lazy uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a straight right hand.
Panikov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Panikov misses the target.
Jab by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Panikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McLaughlin scrambles back to his feet.
Panikov throws a head kick that misses.
McLaughlin staying out of range there.
McLaughlin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Panikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Panikov's calf.
McLaughlin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Panikov manages to avoid it.
A big left from McLaughlin misses.
A big right from Panikov misses.
McLaughlin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Panikov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Panikov throws a big shot that misses.
McLaughlin throwing a counter right hand but Panikov manages to avoid it.
Panikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Panikov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Panikov! But no joy.
McLaughlin lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin cracks a nice hook into Panikov's ribs.
Panikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Panikov lands with an overhand left.
Panikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McLaughlin lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice shot by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McLaughlin quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Panikov.
Panikov throws a head kick that misses.
A swing and a miss from Panikov.
McLaughlin throws a jab when Panikov was well out of range.
Panikov lands a nice hook to McLaughlin's body. McLaughlin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Panikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Panikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from McLaughlin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaughlin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Panikov.
Panikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Panikov staying out of range there.
Panikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Panikov misses.
McLaughlin connects with a body shot.
Panikov scores with a jab. McLaughlin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McLaughlin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Panikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Panikov throws a head kick but McLaughlin moves out of range.
McLaughlin cracks Panikov with a right hand to the side of the head.
McLaughlin misses the jab.
McLaughlin with a jab.
McLaughlin scoring well with a low kick there.
McLaughlin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Panikov doesn't seem bothered though.
Jab, jab by McLaughlin - just one landing.
McLaughlin checks a leg kick nicely.
McLaughlin thuds his right hand into Panikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin throws out a powerful jab.
Panikov tries to bum rush McLaughlin with a series of wild strikes but McLaughlin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McLaughlin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Panikov misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Panikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McLaughlin.
A jab from Panikov misses.
McLaughlin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Panikov was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Panikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Panikov throws a right hand that misses
and McLaughlin counters with a nice kick to the body.
McLaughlin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Panikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McLaughlin scores with a nice head shot.
McLaughlin avoids the body shot from Panikov.
McLaughlin slips under a jab from Panikov.
Panikov throws a head kick that misses.
Mike McLaughlin is winning the standup battle so far.
Panikov loads up on a big right hand but McLaughlin slips the punch.
McLaughlin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McLaughlin ducks under a wild hook from Panikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panikov scores with a punch to the head.
McLaughlin has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Panikov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McLaughlin throwing a counter right hand but Panikov manages to avoid it.
McLaughlin connects with a leg kick. Panikov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Panikov throws an overhand right that lands on McLaughlin's shoulder, as McLaughlin tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McLaughlin misses with a straight right.
Panikov misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Panikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin jabs Panikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Panikov misses with a leg kick.
Panikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
McLaughlin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Panikov.
McLaughlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Panikov's sensitive parts.
Panikov tries a head kick but it misses.

Panikov clinches.
Panikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Panikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McLaughlin backwards.
McLaughlin can't find room to land a body shot as Panikov controls the action.
McLaughlin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Panikov backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McLaughlin lands a body punch.
Panikov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Panikov wants to stall.
Panikov looking to throw knees to the head but McLaughlin is blocking nicely.
McLaughlin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McLaughlin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panikov lands a hook that snaps the head of McLaughlin backwards.
A head punch on the inside from McLaughlin fails to land.
A body shot lands from McLaughlin.
Panikov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McLaughlin throws a punch but it's blocked by Panikov.
McLaughlin digs a right hand into Panikov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Panikov's gas tank.
Panikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McLaughlin avoids it.
Panikov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. McLaughlin seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Panikov can turn it around.
McLaughlin lands a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McLaughlin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McLaughlin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mike McLaughlin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Panikov trying to control the position but instead, McLaughlin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Panikov into the cage.
McLaughlin scores with a shot to the side of Panikov's head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Panikov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Panikov.
McLaughlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McLaughlin misses with a punch on the inside.
McLaughlin lands a body punch in the clinch.
McLaughlin pushes Panikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McLaughlin prevents Panikov from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panikov swings wildly with an uppercut but McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panikov struggles to land a body shot inside as McLaughlin controls his hands.

McLaughlin breaks the clinch.
McLaughlin jabs at Panikov's body.
Panikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Panikov avoids the body shot from McLaughlin.
Panikov throws a jab but it's blocked by McLaughlin.
The fighters circling - Panikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLaughlin scores with a shot to the body.
McLaughlin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Panikov counters with a straight right hand.
McLaughlin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McLaughlin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Panikov doesn't seem bothered though.
Left hook, right uppercut from McLaughlin.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Panikov looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
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!
Panikov moves out of range as McLaughlin throws a body kick.
Panikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Panikov throws a lazy uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Panikov throws a looping overhand right but McLaughlin ducks down to avoid it.
Panikov misses with the combination.
Panikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
Panikov looks to throw the jab but McLaughlin is out of range.
McLaughlin is looking to counter with head kicks.
McLaughlin throws a nice looking combination but Panikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Panikov throws a big shot that misses.
Panikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Panikov was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Panikov misses with a lunging right hand
and McLaughlin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Panikov's knee momentarily.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A cross from McLaughlin lands.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.
Panikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McLaughlin slips a straight right by Panikov.
Panikov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McLaughlin lands with an uppercut that bounces Panikov off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that second round.
That's time! McLaughlin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Panikov misses with an uppercut
and McLaughlin counters with a straight right hand.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the side of Panikov's head but Panikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McLaughlin defending well as Panikov loads up on a big left hand.
McLaughlin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McLaughlin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Panikov ducked under it nicely.
The fighters circling - Panikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Panikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McLaughlin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A swing and a miss from Panikov.
McLaughlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Panikov can do to turn this around?
Jab by McLaughlin.
Panikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Panikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McLaughlin. McLaughlin obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panikov throws a jab when McLaughlin was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Panikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Panikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Panikov throws a right hand that misses
and McLaughlin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin cracks Panikov with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin looks to land a right hand but Panikov moved out of range.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut.
McLaughlin lands a jab to the nose.
Panikov's corner calls for a 1-2. Panikov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McLaughlin.
Both fighters circling a little - McLaughlin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Panikov avoids it easily.
McLaughlin walks into a jab.
McLaughlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Panikov.
Panikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Panikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Panikov slips a straight right by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin works Panikov's body with a nice hook.
Panikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLaughlin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Panikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from McLaughlin does no damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLaughlin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sergey Panikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Panikov.
Panikov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McLaughlin jabs Panikov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McLaughlin scores with a jab to the head.
Panikov slips a straight right by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin scores with a leg kick.
Panikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Panikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Panikov lands a jab to the nose.
Panikov throws a right hand that misses
and McLaughlin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Panikov's knee momentarily.
Panikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin moves away from the strike by Panikov.
McLaughlin lands a right hook to the body.
McLaughlin throws out a loose jab but Panikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panikov doesn't manage to clinch there - McLaughlin circles away.
Panikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McLaughlin lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaughlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Panikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McLaughlin.
Panikov throws a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head but McLaughlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Panikov just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin cracks Panikov with a good jab.
Panikov throws a shot from downtown. McLaughlin moves away and avoids it.
Panikov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Panikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McLaughlin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McLaughlin fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice defenses there by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Panikov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Panikov was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Panikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McLaughlin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
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!
McLaughlin throws out a loose jab but Panikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panikov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McLaughlin finds it's way round the side to connect with Panikov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Panikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Panikov cracks McLaughlin with a good jab.
Panikov throws a sloppy head kick and McLaughlin moves out of range easily.
McLaughlin thows a left - swing and a miss!
McLaughlin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Panikov momentarily.
Panikov misses with a straight right.
Panikov throws a hook but McLaughlin avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from McLaughlin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McLaughlin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Panikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLaughlin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Panikov misses with a right hand
and McLaughlin counters with a straight right hand.
McLaughlin moves away from the strike by Panikov.
McLaughlin thuds a left hand into Panikov's body.
Panikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Panikov throws a jab when McLaughlin was well out of range.
McLaughlin misses with a wild body shot.
Panikov throws a sloppy head kick and McLaughlin moves out of range easily.
Panikov lands a head kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike McLaughlin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McLaughlin 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike McLaughlin!
Mike McLaughlin was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Sergey Panikov spoke after the fight, saying 'Haha I am shit.sorry'.