PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Pichushkin (ranked 304 p4p, 47 weight class) and Yoshi Fujiwara (ranked 182 p4p, 29 weight class). Yoshi Fujiwara is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Pichushkin
vs
Fujiwara

185 cm
31
195 lbs
19 - 8 - 1

184 cm
26
185 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Pichushkin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoshi Fujiwara!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fujiwara showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pichushkin.
A countering left hand to the body from Fujiwara misses.
Fujiwara fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fujiwara blocks a leg kick.
Pichushkin throws a body shot but no joy.
Pichushkin throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Fujiwara to counter with a crisp jab.
Fujiwara thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pichushkin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fujiwara has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujiwara moves out of range of the leg kick from Pichushkin.
Fujiwara throws out a counter right but Pichushkin avoids it with no problem.
No joy there for Pichushkin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fujiwara moves out of range as Pichushkin strikes.
Fujiwara throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good shot there by Pichushkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara shoots in for a takedown but Pichushkin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Pichushkin shoots in and gets a takedown into Fujiwara's guard.
Pichushkin stopping the sweep attempt from Fujiwara.
Pichushkin postures up in Fujiwara's guard and throws a big left but Fujiwara blocks it.
Pichushkin won't allow Fujiwara to sweep him here.

Fujiwara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Fujiwara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Pichushkin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pichushkin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pichushkin passes Fujiwara's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fujiwara gets full guard.
Pichushkin being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin looking to sit in guard and control but Fujiwara gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fujiwara working some strikes from top position.

Pichushkin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Fujiwara has picked Pichushkin up and slammed him! Pichushkin can't keep hold of the triangle and Fujiwara manages to pass to side control!
Fujiwara wants to control but Pichushkin is keeping him busy.
Pichushkin on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fujiwara wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pichushkin keeps working.
Pichushkin tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fujiwara scores with punches from side control.
Fujiwara trying to control the position but Pichushkin is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara working the head and body with strikes.
Pichushkin is trying to control Fujiwara's posture but Fujiwara avoids it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Fujiwara working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Fujiwara cracks Pichushkin with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Pichushkin is looking to reverse the position.
Pichushkin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fujiwara's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fujiwara scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fujiwara trying to control the action but Pichushkin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara lands with a punch from half guard.

Pichushkin looking for submissions off his back.
Fujiwara is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pichushkin trying to control here.

Pichushkin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fujiwara pulls his head out easily.
Fujiwara is trying to control. Pichushkin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fujiwara winds up and cracks Pichushkin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fujiwara is nestled in close to Pichushkin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fujiwara lands strikes from half guard.
Pichushkin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fujiwara scores with a couple of nice shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fujiwara lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Fujiwara dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fujiwara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pichushkin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fujiwaras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fujiwara misses with a wild body shot.
Pichushkin throws the left hand but Fujiwara avoids the punch easily.
Pichushkin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fujiwara feints the counter takedown.
Pichushkin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fujiwara doesn't seem bothered though.
Pichushkin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujiwara.
A little jabbing left from Fujiwara on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pichushkin misses with a leg kick
enabling Fujiwara to counter with a crisp jab.
Alexander Pichushkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Fujiwara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pichushkin moves away.
Pichushkin throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Pichushkin misses.
Pichushkin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fujiwara was well out of range. Poor timing from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin throws a combination. Fujiwara tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fujiwara tries to move into range but Pichushkin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichushkin misses with a straight left.

Pichushkin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fujiwara tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pichushkin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Yoshi Fujiwara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fujiwara is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pichushkin 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.
Fujiwara is trying to get back to half guard.
Pichushkin wants to control but Fujiwara is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pichushkin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fujiwara is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fujiwara has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fujiwara manages to get back to half guard.
Fujiwara tries to roll over but Pichushkin keeps him under control.

Pichushkin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Fujiwara is looking for a sweep. Pichushkin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fujiwara preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Fujiwara gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fujiwara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pichushkin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fujiwara keeping moving, preventing Pichushkin from controlling successfully.
Fujiwara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pichushkin is one step ahead there.

Fujiwara had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pichushkin defends it easily.
Pichushkin trying to control the position from guard on top but Fujiwara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fujiwara looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pichushkin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Fujiwara working for a triangle but Pichushkin defends it easily.
Pichushkin connects with a couple of short punches.
Fujiwara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pichushkin manages to get himself to full guard.

Fujiwara with a nice head shot there.
Fujiwara chips away with some ground and pound.
Fujiwara lands a couple of digs.

Pichushkin looking for a guillotine here but Fujiwara defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fujiwara controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Pichushkin dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pichushkin misses with a wild body shot.
Fujiwara thuds a left hand into Pichushkin's body.
Pichushkin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fujiwara.
Pichushkin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from Pichushkin misses.
Pichushkin slips under a jab.
Pichushkin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fujiwara moves away.
Fujiwara keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pichushkin misses with a straight left.
Nice uppercut lands for Pichushkin. That snapped Fujiwara's head back.
Fujiwara lands a body shot.
Pichushkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fujiwara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichushkin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pichushkin misses with a hook.
Pichushkin lands a nice shot that snaps Fujiwara's head back.
Pichushkin throws the left hand but Fujiwara avoids the punch easily.
Fujiwara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pichushkin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Fujiwara misses the target.
Pichushkin is looking to counter punch.
Fujiwara gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pichushkin just misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara moves out of range as Pichushkin strikes.
It seemed like Fujiwara was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Pichushkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fujiwara misses with a wild body shot.
Pichushkin throws an off balance right hand
enabling Fujiwara to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Fujiwara misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fujiwara walks into a straight right hand from Pichushkin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pichushkin digs a good body shot into Fujiwara's ribs.
Pichushkin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fujiwara at a distance.
Fujiwara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pichushkin.
Fujiwara moves out of range as Pichushkin strikes.
Pichushkin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pichushkin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pichushkin avoids the body shot from Fujiwara.
An attempted straight right counter from Pichushkin misses the target.
Fujiwara walks into a straight right hand from Pichushkin.
Fujiwara fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pichushkin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pichushkin thows a leg kick but Fujiwara checks it
letting Fujiwara counter with a right hand.
A slow jab from Pichushkin misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin moves away from the strike by Fujiwara.
Pichushkin throwing a counter right hand but Fujiwara manages to avoid it.
Fujiwara looks to score with a jab to the body but Pichushkin is just out of range.
Fujiwara throws a jab when Pichushkin was well out of range.
Fujiwara slips a jab and a cross from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pichushkin throws out a loose jab but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.

Pichushkin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fujiwara on his heels. He'll look to pass Fujiwara's guard now, I'm sure.
Fujiwara bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pichushkin's guard.

Fujiwara pushes down on Pichushkin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Pichushkin trying to control from the bottom.
Fujiwara scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fujiwara working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pichushkin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fujiwara is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fujiwara working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Pichushkin is looking for a sweep. Fujiwara is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fujiwara scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Pichushkin is refusing to be controlled, as Fujiwara sits in half guard.
Pichushkin regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fujiwara landing with the ground and pound.
Fujiwara is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Alexander Pichushkin did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fujiwara shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fujiwara wants to control from the top but Pichushkin keeps moving.
Fujiwara is looking to work some ground and pound but Pichushkin has wrist control.
Fujiwara is working Pichushkin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fujiwara trying to control the position from guard on top but Pichushkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fujiwara postures up.
Fujiwara trying to control but Pichushkin is working from the bottom.
Fujiwara scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pichushkin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fujiwara lands a couple of elbows.
Fujiwara content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pichushkin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fujiwara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pichushkin working a defensive guard here.
Fujiwara is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pichushkin has momentary wrist control but Fujiwara slips an elbow through the middle.

Pichushkin looking for a guillotine here but Fujiwara defends easily.

Pichushkin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fujiwara passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin tries to bench press Fujiwara off him but Fujiwara keeps the position.
Fujiwara works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Pichushkin can't do much from the bottom here.
Fujiwara gets to mount! Pichushkin was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Pichushkin is trying desperately to improve position.
Pichushkin is working hard here to advance position.
Fujiwara cracks Pichushkin with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Alexander Pichushkin has been cut.
Fujiwara unloading with bombs!
Pichushkin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara working the ground and pound effectively.
Pichushkin tries to hold on but Fujiwara pushes him away.
Pichushkin is in a horrible position here. Fujiwara smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fujiwara lands a big elbow.

Pichushkin is rocked!
Fujiwara looking to finish Pichushkin with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pichushkin!
Oh Pichushkin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fujiwara postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Pichushkin in real trouble here! The ref calls for Pichushkin to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yoshi Fujiwara!
Yoshi Fujiwara is the new middleweight champion!