PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Odchigin Khadan (ranked 2475 p4p, 286 weight class) and Arjen Lucassen (ranked 1869 p4p, 231 weight class). Khadan's entrance music is Khoomii. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Khadan
vs
Lucassen

179 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

174 cm
35
186 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Odchigin Khadan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arjen Lucassen!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khadan throws a shot from downtown. Lucassen moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lucassen. Khadan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khadan slips a jab from Lucassen.
Khadan seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Lucassen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lucassen throws a solid leg kick but Khadan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lucassen.
Khadan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lucassen.
Khadan misses with a wild body shot.
Jab by Khadan.
Khadan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lucassen.
Lucassen jabs Khadan right on the nose. Khadan blinks but takes it well.
Khadan misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khadan. Lucassen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Arjen Lucassen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lucassen throws a series of punches but Khadan moves out of range.
Lucassen throws out a loose jab but Khadan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khadan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Khadan ducks under a wild hook from Lucassen.
Khadan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khadan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khadan moves out of range of the strikes.
Khadan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lucassen.
Lucassen's corner calls for a 1-2. Lucassen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucassen misses with a hook to the body
and Khadan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Khadan throws a jab but it's blocked by Lucassen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lucassen! But no joy.
Khadan throws out a loose jab but Lucassen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khadan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lucassen blocks a jab.
Lucassen misses with a looping left.
Lucassen moves away from the strike by Khadan.
Khadan scores with a shot to the body.

Khadan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lucassen to the mat! Lucassen manages to get full guard.
Lucassen wants to stand up but Khadan is controlling him.
Khadan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lucassen wants to stand but Khadan is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lucassen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Khadan controls the pace.
Khadan prevents Lucassen from getting back to his feet.
Khadan wants to pass the guard but Lucassen is keeping the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Khadan moves away from the strike by Lucassen.
Khadan half committed to a counter leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Lucassen. Beautiful body shot.
Khadan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
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!
Khadan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lucassen.
Khadan throws a series of punches but Lucassen moves out of range.
Lucassen takes a swing at Khadan's ribcage but misses.
Khadan throws out a loose jab but Lucassen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lucassen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circling - Khadan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Lucassen misses.
Khadan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Khadan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lucassen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Arjen Lucassen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Khadan digs a good body shot into Lucassen's ribs.
Lucassen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Khadan.
A swing and a miss from Khadan.
Lucassen slips a straight right by Khadan.
Khadan throws a body shot but no joy.
Lucassen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Khadan at a distance.
Lucassen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khadan. Lucassen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lucassen slips a straight right by Khadan.
Lucassen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Khadan.
Khadan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lucassen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lucassen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khadan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lucassen loads up on a big right hand but Khadan slips the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khadan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lucassen manages to avoid it.
Lucassen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Khadan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lucassen scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucassen scores with a hook.
Khadan slips a jab from Lucassen.
An attempted straight right counter from Khadan misses the target.
Khadan throws a big shot that misses.
Lucassen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice shot lands for Lucassen.
Lucassen slips under a jab.
Lucassen looks to land a right hand but Khadan moved out of range.
Khadan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lucassen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khadan moves away.
Lucassen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khadan misses the shot to the body.
Khadan ducks under a wild hook from Lucassen.
Lucassen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lucassen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Khadan has time to react.
Khadan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Khadan misses with a wild body shot.
Khadan throws a big shot that misses.
Lucassen misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arjen Lucassen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Khadan blocks a head kick by Lucassen.
Lucassen connects with a nice looking jab.
Lucassen throws a right hand that misses
letting Khadan counter with a right hand.
Khadan tries a low kick but Lucassen avoids it.
Khadan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khadan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lucassen catches Khadan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Lucassen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A big left from Lucassen misses.
Lucassen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lucassen throws a leg kick which misses Khadan's front leg but catches the back leg as Khadan tries to avoid it.
Lucassen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Khadan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Lucassen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lucassen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Khadan on the side of the head.
Lucassen tries to land a leg kick but Khadan saw it coming and moves away.
Lucassen misses with an uppercut.
Lucassen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lucassen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Arjen Lucassen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot lands for Lucassen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khadan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lucassen missing with a left hand there. Khadan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Khadan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lucassen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A jab from Lucassen misses.
Lucassen throws a shot from downtown. Khadan moves away and avoids it.
Lucassen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Khadan throws an overhand right that lands on Lucassen's shoulder, as Lucassen tries to avoid the shot.
Khadan connects with a crisp jab.
Khadan swings for the body but Lucassen moves out of range.
Lucassen cracks a nice hook into Khadan's ribs.
Khadan cracks Lucassen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A big right from Lucassen misses.
Lucassen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Khadan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Lucassen lands.
Lucassen misses with a hook. Khadan ducked under it nicely.
Jab from Lucassen.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lucassen enables Khadan to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lucassen manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khadan won't allow Lucassen to get back to his feet.
Khadan trying to control but Lucassen is working from the bottom.
Khadan looking to pass the guard.
Khadan is working hard here to advance position.
Khadan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Lucassen keeping moving, preventing Khadan from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lucassen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Khadan feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khadan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lucassen throws out the jab.
Lucassen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khadan was well out of range. Poor timing from Lucassen.
Lucassen slips a straight right by Khadan.

Khadan has managed to clinch.
A short uppercut from Lucassen.
Khadan tries to score a body lock takedown but Lucassen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A nice left hand lands by Lucassen.
Lucassen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Khadan misses with the head strike.
Lucassen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lucassen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Khadan presses Lucassen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lucassen misses with a punch on the inside.
Lucassen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Khadan misses with a punch to the body.
Lucassen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Khadan lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Khadan.
Khadan swings wildly with an uppercut but Lucassen uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khadan working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Lucassen.
Lucassen misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Lucassen fails to land.
Lucassen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Khadan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Khadan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Khadan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Lucassen.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lucassen lands with a right to the head.
Lucassen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Lucassen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lucassen.
Khadan tries to work over Lucassen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Khadan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lucassen lands a left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lucassen lands an uppercut.
Lucassen throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lucassen.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lucassen.
Lucassen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arjen Lucassen 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!

A big left from Lucassen misses.
Lucassen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lucassen connects with a solid leg kick.
Khadan tries to land a front kick but Lucassen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lucassen throws a head kick that misses
and Khadan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lucassen misses the jab.
Lucassen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lucassen misses with a two punch combination.
Khadan lands a nice hook to Lucassen's body. Lucassen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Khadan throws a body punch but Lucassen moves out of range.
Lucassen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Khadan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lucassen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khadan circles away quickly and effectively.
Khadan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Odchigin Khadan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khadan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lucassen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khadan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khadan looks to score with a jab to the body but Lucassen is just out of range.
Khadan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lucassen was well out of range. Poor timing from Khadan.
Khadan throws a jab when Lucassen was well out of range.
Lucassen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khadan slips a straight right by Lucassen.
Khadan has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Khadan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khadan throws a hook but Lucassen avoids it easily.
A jab from Lucassen finds it's way through Khadan's defenses.
A swing and a miss from Khadan.
Lucassen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lucassen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Khadan misses the shot to the body.
Khadan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lucassen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lucassen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Khadan misses with a wild body shot.
Lucassen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Lucassen catches Khadan with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Khadan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khadan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lucassen.
Lucassen jabs Khadan right on the nose. Khadan blinks but takes it well.
Lucassen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khadan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lucassen scores with a decent looking hook.
Lucassen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Khadan misses with a hook. Lucassen ducked under it nicely.
Lucassen loads up on a big right hand but Khadan slips the punch.
Lucassen throws a lazy right hand but Khadan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lucassen.
Lucassen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Khadan jabs at Lucassen's body.
Lucassen scores with a jab to the head.
Nice defenses there by Khadan.
A clash of legs there as Lucassen blocks the low kick.
The fighters circling - Khadan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lucassen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Khadan walks into a jab.
Khadan just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lucassen! But no joy.
Khadan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lucassen was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khadan throws out a powerful jab.
Khadan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lucassen as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lucassen scores with the left hand. Khadan knows he should have avoided that one.
Lucassen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Khadan misses with a right hand
and Lucassen counters with a nice uppercut.
Lucassen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khadan.
Nice defenses there by Khadan.
Arjen Lucassen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Khadan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khadan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Khadan throws a body shot but no joy.
Lucassen punishes Khadan's body with a nice straight punch.
Lucassen checks the leg kick.
Khadan ducks under a wild hook from Lucassen.
Lucassen throws a looping overhand right but Khadan ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khadan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lucassen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Khadan throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheers as Lucassen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Khadan doesn't seem phased though.
Lucassen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Khadan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Khadan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Khadan looks to score with a jab to the body but Lucassen is just out of range.
Khadan tries to land a leg kick but Lucassen saw it coming and moves away.
Khadan misses with a right hand
and Lucassen counters with a straight right hand.
Lucassen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lucassen.
Lucassen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lucassen works the jab nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Khadan misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Khadan slips a jab from Lucassen.
Khadan misses with a body shot.
Khadan throws a hook to the side of Lucassen's head but Lucassen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khadan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arjen Lucassen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lucassen 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

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