PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Valentine Masterson (ranked 369 p4p, 46 weight class) and Alexander Usikov (ranked 504 p4p, 69 weight class). Valentine Masterson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Masterson
vs
Usikov

188 cm
32
190 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

175 cm
39
195 lbs
21 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valentine Masterson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Usikov.
Masterson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Usikov.
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masterson.
Masterson misses with a left hand
and Usikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Usikov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Masterson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Masterson misses the jab.
Masterson throws a jab but it's blocked by Usikov.
Usikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Masterson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Usikov throws out the jab.
Usikov throws a jab when Masterson was well out of range.
Usikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Masterson is just out of range.
Usikov throws a head kick that Masterson semi-blocks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Usikov looks to clinch
and Masterson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Usikov moves in looking to clinch but Masterson pushes him off.
Masterson throwing a counter right hand but Usikov manages to avoid it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stalling in the clinch from Usikov.
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!
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Masterson blocks with his arms.
Masterson swings wildly with an uppercut but Usikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Masterson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masterson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Usikov dodges an elbow strike from Masterson.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Masterson is blocking nicely.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Usikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Usikov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Masterson is keeping busy.
Usikov misses with an elbow over the top.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Masterson blocks it.
Masterson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Masterson lands with a light punch inside.
Masterson scores with a shoulder strike.
Usikov lands an elbow that stopped Masterson in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Valentine Masterson has been cut.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Masterson blocks with his arms.
Masterson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Masterson scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Usikov.
Masterson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Masterson presses Usikov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usikov blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masterson gets through Usikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Masterson lands an uppercut.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Masterson struggles to land a body shot inside as Usikov controls his hands.

Masterson jumps into guard, dragging Usikov to the mat.
Masterson is trying to keep Usikov in close.
Masterson managing to control the position.
Usikov wants to stand but Masterson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Masterson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Masterson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Masterson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Masterson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.
Masterson connects with a solid leg kick.
Masterson connects with a jab.
Masterson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Masterson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Usikov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Usikov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Usikov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Masterson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is looking to clinch but Masterson is avoiding it.
Masterson throws an overhand right that lands on Usikov's shoulder, as Usikov tries to avoid the shot.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Masterson looks to land a right hand but Usikov moved out of range.
Usikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Usikov throws the left hand but Masterson avoids the punch easily.
Masterson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Usikov is looking to slow Masterson down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Masterson.
Masterson throws a hook but Usikov blocks it.
Masterson throws a jab when Usikov was well out of range.
A slow jab from Masterson misses its intended target.
Usikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Usikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Usikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Masterson counter with a right hand.
Usikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Masterson moves away.

Usikov darts in and clinches Masterson up against the cage.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masterson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Masterson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentine Masterson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Valentine Masterson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Masterson throws a jab but it's blocked by Usikov.
Usikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masterson.

Masterson gets tackled into the cage by Usikov. Usikov maintains the clinch.
Masterson throws a head punch that misses.
Usikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Usikov lands a nice knee to the body.
Masterson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Masterson blocks with his arms.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Usikov wants to stall.
Masterson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Usikov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masterson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Masterson throws a punch but it's blocked by Usikov.
Usikov working Masterson over with knees to the body.
Masterson throws a head punch that misses.
Masterson has a couple of punches blocked by Usikov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Masterson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Masterson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Masterson gets tackled into the cage by Usikov. Usikov maintains the clinch.
Masterson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Usikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Masterson blocks with his arms.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masterson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masterson.
Alexander Usikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short uppercut from Masterson.
Masterson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Usikovs head.
Usikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Masterson can't find room to land a body shot as Usikov controls the action.
Usikov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Usikov lands a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Usikov lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masterson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Usikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Masterson throws a punch but it's blocked by Usikov.
Usikov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Masterson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Masterson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
Usikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Usikov.
Usikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Masterson is defending well for now.
Masterson lands with a short shot to the head.
Masterson managing to block the knees to the body from Usikov.
Usikov tries to throw a body punch but Masterson avoids it by throwing Usikov back against the cage.

Masterson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab lands there for Usikov.
Usikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Masterson scores with a kick to the body.
Masterson misses with a lunging right hand
and Masterson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Masterson.
Usikov checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Masterson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Masterson looks to land a left hand but Usikov moved out of range nicely.
Usikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Usikov blocks the body kick.
Masterson sets himself, and Usikov steps forward looking for the clinch! Masterson avoids it this time.
Masterson misses with an uppercut
and Usikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Masterson connects with a body shot.

Usikov clinches up with Masterson and pushes him back against the cage.
Usikov lands a knee to the body.
Masterson misses with a punch to the body.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Usikov lands a knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Usikov.
A head punch on the inside from Masterson fails to land.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Masterson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Masterson tries to throw a body punch but Usikov avoids it by throwing Masterson back against the cage.
Masterson is looking to break free of the clinch but Usikov has double underhooks.

Masterson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Usikov misses the jab.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Usikov misses with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Usikov.
Usikov throws a front kick aimed at Masterson's knee but Masterson avoids it well.
Usikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Usikov misses with a head kick.
Usikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Masterson circles away.
A good leg kick by Usikov.
No joy there for Masterson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Masterson works Usikov's body with a nice hook.
Usikov throws a looping overhand right but Masterson ducks down to avoid it.

Usikov drives through and clinches with Masterson against the cage.
Masterson jumps guard but Usikov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Masterson.
Masterson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Usikovs head.
Usikov blocks an uppercut.
Usikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Valentine Masterson's cut.
That's time! Masterson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Masterson throws a jab when Usikov was well out of range.
Masterson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Masterson lands a nice looking body shot.
Masterson throws the left hand but Usikov avoids the punch easily.
A big right from Masterson misses.
Usikov tries to clinch there but Masterson circles away.
Masterson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Masterson scores with a jab.
That kick from Usikov tenderised Masterson's leg. Masterson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Usikov moves out of range of the body kick.
Masterson scores with a nice strike.
Masterson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Masterson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Usikov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Usikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Masterson throwing a counter right hand but Usikov manages to avoid it.
Usikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Masterson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Usikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Usikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Masterson.
A big left from Usikov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov misses with a wild body shot.
Masterson lands a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Masterson.
Valentine Masterson is winning the standup battle so far.

Usikov instigates a clinch.
Masterson lands a hook that snaps the head of Usikov backwards.
Usikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Usikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Masterson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Masterson blocks it with crossed arms.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Masterson tries to land a knee to the head but Usikov blocks with his arms.
Usikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Masterson.
Masterson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Usikov lands a damaging elbow.
Masterson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
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!
Usikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Usikov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov prevents a body shot from Masterson.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Masterson is blocking nicely.
Masterson pushes Usikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Masterson lands with a short shot to the head.
Usikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Masterson has a couple of punches blocked by Usikov.
Masterson throws a head punch that misses.
Masterson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Masterson working aggressively here.
Usikov pushes Masterson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Masterson has a couple of punches blocked by Usikov.
Masterson misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Masterson fails to land.
Usikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Masterson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Masterson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Masterson throws an elbow that misses.
A short uppercut from Masterson.
Masterson lands a body punch.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Masterson blocks it with crossed arms.
A shot in the inside from Masterson.
Usikov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Masterson scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Usikov.
Usikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Masterson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Usikov smiles and moves away.
Usikov is looking to clinch but Masterson is avoiding it.
Usikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Usikov blocks a jab.
Jab by Masterson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usikov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses.
Masterson misses with a low kick.
Masterson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Masterson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Usikov.
Usikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masterson.
Masterson scores with a leg kick.
Masterson throws a combination. Usikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Usikov scores with a head kick.
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Masterson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Masterson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Usikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Masterson lands an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Usikov.
Masterson swings wildly with an uppercut but Usikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Masterson pushes Usikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentine Masterson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Masterson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentine Masterson!
Valentine Masterson spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.