PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Padraig McNamara (ranked 1036 p4p, 130 weight class) and Alexander Pichushkin (ranked 1347 p4p, 169 weight class). McNamara comes to the cage accompanied by Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

McNamara
vs
Pichushkin

188 cm
31
185 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

185 cm
32
195 lbs
19 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Padraig McNamara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Pichushkin!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pichushkin works McNamara's body with a nice hook.
McNamara jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pichushkin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McNamara.
Pichushkin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McNamara throws out a loose jab but Pichushkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pichushkin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pichushkin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McNamara looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A big right from McNamara misses.
Pichushkin looks to throw a body kick
and McNamara counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pichushkin thinking.
McNamara throws a body shot but no joy.
McNamara is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McNamara uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pichushkin.
McNamara misses with a looping left.
McNamara lands an overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McNamara works the jab nicely.
Pichushkin with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice defenses there by McNamara.
We've been informed that Pichushkin has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
McNamara scores with a jab.
Pichushkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pichushkin jabs at McNamara's body.
Pichushkin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McNamara sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNamara lands with a cross.
Pichushkin fails to land with a series of punches.
McNamara keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pichushkin.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McNamara checks a leg kick.
McNamara paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Padraig McNamara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McNamara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pichushkin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pichushkin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Pichushkin takes one on the button.
McNamara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pichushkin manages to avoid it.
McNamara looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Pichushkin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McNamara wants to get back to full guard.
McNamara is pressing down on Pichushkin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

McNamara looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Pichushkin passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNamara is pressing down on Pichushkin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McNamara keeping moving, preventing Pichushkin from controlling successfully.
Pichushkin advances position into side control!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
McNamara is looking to regain half guard here but Pichushkin keeps moving and retains side control.
Pichushkin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McNamara is avoiding damage well.
Pichushkin wants to lay and pray for a moment but McNamara keeps working.
Pichushkin cracks McNamara with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McNamara tries to improve position but can't.
McNamara is not content to let Pichushkin control the position.
McNamara tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pichushkin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
McNamara is not content to let Pichushkin control the position.
McNamara is trying to get back to half guard.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
McNamara gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
McNamara is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pichushkin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pichushkin's back!
McNamara doesn't have the hooks in and Pichushkin manages to turn into his guard.

Pichushkin got a little sloppy there for a moment and McNamara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pichushkin has managed to get both his arms back between McNamara's legs - danger averted.

McNamara has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pichushkin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pichushkin passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNamara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
McNamara is not content to let Pichushkin control the position.
Pichushkin is nestled in close to McNamara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McNamara tries to roll over but Pichushkin keeps him under control.
McNamara is working hard here to advance position.
Pichushkin working over McNamara with some ground and pound. McNamara looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McNamara keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. McNamara manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

McNamara throws his legs up looking for a submission but Pichushkin uses it to pass to side control.
McNamara is looking to regain half guard here but Pichushkin keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Pichushkin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pichushkin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McNamara throws the left hand but Pichushkin avoids the punch easily.
Pichushkin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McNamara manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pichushkin. McNamara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pichushkin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Pichushkin scores with a body shot.
McNamara throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pichushkin's waist but Pichushkin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McNamara off to one side.

Pichushkin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pichushkin lands a left hand that snaps the head of McNamara backwards.
McNamara misses with a punch to the body.
McNamara lands with a right to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin blocks an uppercut.
McNamara prevents a body shot from Pichushkin.
A body shot lands from Pichushkin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pichushkin lands a shot to the body.
A short right from Pichushkin on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin can't find room to land a body shot as McNamara controls the action.
Pichushkin misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichushkin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pichushkin working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Pichushkin jumps into guard, dragging McNamara to the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pichushkin is on top in guard.

Pichushkin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pichushkin preventing the sweep.

McNamara has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pichushkin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pichushkin with a nice head shot there.

McNamara working for a triangle but Pichushkin defends it easily.
Pichushkin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pichushkin trying to control the position from guard on top but McNamara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pichushkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McNamara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pichushkin works a leg free and moves into half guard.

McNamara actively working from the bottom here.
Pichushkin is trying to control. McNamara wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Still in half guard, Pichushkin seems content to control.
Pichushkin moves into full mount! McNamara won't be happy about that!
McNamara working to try and regain half guard.
Pichushkin dominating with strikes here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McNamara is desperately trying to improve his position but Pichushkin has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin cracks McNamara with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Pichushkin lands with some strikes.
McNamara is squirming around, avoiding Pichushkin's attempts to control the action.
Pichushkin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McNamara haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Pichushkin is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McNamara can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
McNamara can't escape the position.
Pichushkin landing punches.
Pichushkin with the ground and pound from mount.
Pichushkin wants to control the pace but McNamara is squirming around nicely.
Pichushkin looking to finish with strikes here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNamara is looking to improve his position but Pichushkin isn't that keen on the idea.
McNamara gets back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pichushkin is looking for a kimura but McNamara is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pichushkin to get the leverage.
McNamara is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pichushkin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pichushkin's back!
Pichushkin is really stuck here.

Pichushkin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from McNamara.
Pichushkin wants to escape the position.
McNamara throwing wild punches that miss their target.

McNamara working for a choke but Pichushkin is defending well.
McNamara controlling well, preventing Pichushkin from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Pichushkin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pichushkin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McNamara sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pichushkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McNamara throws out the jab.
Pichushkin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McNamara doesn't seem bothered though.
McNamara defending well as Pichushkin loads up on a big left hand.
McNamara jabs Pichushkin right on the nose. Pichushkin blinks but takes it well.
Pichushkin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pichushkin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot.
Pichushkin takes one to the side of the head.
McNamara throws a head kick that misses
and Pichushkin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McNamara moves out of range of the strikes.
Pichushkin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pichushkin misses with a straight right.
Pichushkin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pichushkin walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McNamara checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A swing and a miss from Pichushkin.
It looked like McNamara wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McNamara fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pichushkin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McNamara working aggressively here.
Pichushkin prevents the takedown attempt.
McNamara cracks Pichushkin with a nice body shot.
Pichushkin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pichushkin misses with a punch to the body.
Pichushkin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pichushkin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McNamara lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Pichushkin backwards.
Pichushkin misses with some punches.
Pichushkin lands a left hand.
McNamara lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pichushkin lands an uppercut.
McNamara has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pichushkin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Padraig McNamara. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pichushkin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Pichushkin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
McNamara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Padraig McNamara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pichushkin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McNamara doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McNamara manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!

McNamara avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Pichushkin has his foot on McNamara's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McNamara works his way back into a safe position though.
McNamara slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pichushkin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McNamara off and has taken his back!
McNamara takes a big shot to the side of the head.
McNamara rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

McNamara looking for subs from the bottom but Pichushkin mounts him!
McNamara is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin tries to control but McNamara wriggling away.
Pichushkin lands a big shot there that rocks McNamara but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
McNamara is trying desperately to improve position.
Pichushkin landing strikes from the mount and McNamara is in trouble!
Pichushkin connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Pichushkin lands a big elbow.
McNamara tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McNamara is bucking up trying to escape but Pichushkin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Pichushkin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pichushkin is in the full mount, landing strikes.

McNamara is rocked!
McNamara is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Oh McNamara is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pichushkin controlling the pace for now.
McNamara is bucking up trying to escape but Pichushkin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McNamara takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Pichushkin's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Pichushkin!
Alexander Pichushkin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Padraig McNamara had this to say: 'yooo!!! How do you say "I'm sad" in ur own native language?'.