PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matel Huchkov (ranked 1512 p4p, 90 weight class) and Carlos Beltran (ranked 3656 p4p, 202 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Huchkov
vs
Beltran

170 cm
42
143 lbs
28 - 25 - 1

171 cm
43
145 lbs
34 - 24 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matel Huchkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Beltran!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beltran fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Huchkov avoids it really well and circles away.
Beltran ducks under a wild hook from Huchkov.
Beltran drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Huchkov defends it well.
Nice sprawl there from Huchkov as Beltran shoots in.
Beltran takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Beltran dives in for a single leg takedown but Huchkov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Matel Huchkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Beltran.
Huchkov throws a shot to the body.
Huchkov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Beltran takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Huchkov lands with a kick to the temple. Beltran shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Huchkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Beltran.
Huchkov avoids the body shot from Beltran.
A swing and a miss from Huchkov.
Huchkov connects with a body shot that sends Beltran's belly button to the back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Beltran gets a takedown into half guard.
Beltran wants to stand but Huchkov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beltran wants to lay and pray for a moment but Huchkov keeps working.
Beltran wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Huchkov uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Huchkov wants to stand but Beltran is controlling the position.
Huchkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Huchkov, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Beltran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Huchkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Beltran stands and steps away. Huchkov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Huchkov looks to land a right hand but Beltran moved out of range.

Beltran is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Huchkov's half guard.

Beltran stands up and beckons Huchkov to join him on the feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Beltran.
Beltran checks the leg kick.
Huchkov lands a jab to the head.
Beltran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Huchkov.
Huchkov tests Beltran's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Beltran lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Beltran has managed to clinch.
Huchkov is trying to break the clinch but Beltran has him pressed against the cage.
Huchkov is trying to break the clinch but Beltran has him pressed against the cage.
Beltran drops down looking for an ankle pick but Huchkov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Beltran looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Huchkov is fending him off so far but Beltran persists. Nope, Huchkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Beltran tries to close the distance and clinch up but Huchkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick misses from Beltran.

Beltran shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Beltran was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Huchkov regains half guard, as Beltran was trying to land strikes.
Huchkov is trying to stand up here but Beltran is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Beltran decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Beltran takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Beltran takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Beltran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Huchkov catches Beltran with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Beltran dives in and grabs Huchkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Huchkov pushes down on Beltran's head and hops out.
Huchkov is looking to counter punch.

Beltran closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Beltran breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Huchkov throws a leg kick but Beltran sees it coming and moves out of range.
Huchkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Huchkov tries to clinch but Beltran moves out of range.
Beltran avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matel Huchkov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Beltran fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Huchkov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Beltran is looking to clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Huchkov.
Beltran scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Beltran misses with a hook.
Huchkov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Huchkov. That's going to slow Beltran down.
Huchkov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Beltran's head backwards.
Huchkov throws a lazy right hand but Beltran sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A left lands for Huchkov.
Beltran walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A cross from Huchkov lands.
Huchkov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Beltran has time to react.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Huchkov just misses with a punch to the body.
Huchkov throws out a leg kick but Beltran moves out of range and Huchkov only half commits.
Huchkov lands a nice shot that snaps Beltran's head back.

Beltran moves into the clinch.
Huchkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Beltran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Beltran stalling the fight.
Huchkov is trying to push Beltran away but Beltran has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Beltran has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Huchkov regains guard immediately.
Carlos Beltran has got the better of the ground game so far.
Beltran sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Huchkov's guard.
Huchkov pushes Beltran off looking to stand but Beltran dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Huchkov kicks off Beltran and gets to his feet.
Huchkov lands a slapping body shot.
Beltran staying out of range there.

Beltran gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Beltran throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Huchkov wants to get back to his feet.
Huchkov tries to buck Beltran off but Beltran is having none of it.
Beltran working away.
Huchkov wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beltran is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Huchkov's shoulder. That is not cool.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Huchkov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Beltran under the eye.
A jab from Huchkov does it's job there.
Huchkov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Huchkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Beltran's head.
Huchkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Beltran in his tracks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Beltran tries to close the distance and clinch but Huchkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Beltran tries to close the distance and clinch but Huchkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A little feinted left hand from Huchkov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Beltran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Beltran wants to clinch.
Huchkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Beltran can do to turn this around?
Beltran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Huchkov.
Matel Huchkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Huchkov keeps the fight on the outside.
Huchkov dips to his left and cracks Beltran with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov connects with an inside leg kick.
Beltran tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Huchkov defends well and Beltran ends up having to push Huchkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Huchkov wants to slow Beltran down by chopping away at his legs.
Huchkov lands with a straight right. Beltran didn't see that one coming.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Beltran swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Huchkov lands with a shot to the body.
Beltran takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Huchkov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Beltran will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Matel Huchkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Beltran.
Beltran tries to clinch up.
Beltran changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Huchkov tries to avoid it but Beltran manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Huchkov to the ground. Huchkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Huchkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Huchkov throws a sloppy head kick and Beltran moves out of range easily.
Huchkov works Beltran's body with a nice hook.
Huchkov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Beltran on the side of the head.
Huchkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Huchkov is looking to clinch.
Huchkov lands with a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Huchkov. Beltran does a little dance to reset his feet.

Beltran has managed to clinch.
Beltran jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Huchkov walks away with a smile on his face. Beltran gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matel Huchkov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Huchkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Beltran takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Huchkov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Beltran's sensitive parts.
Beltran checks a leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Beltran on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Huchkov slaps away a takedown attempt from Beltran, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Huchkov drives through and clinches with Beltran against the cage.

Huchkov manages to break the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Huchkov.
Beltran checks a low kick from Huchkov.

Beltran dives in and scores a takedown into Huchkov's guard.

Huchkov wriggles free and stands up.
Matel Huchkov is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Huchkov does it's job there.
Huchkov misses with a head kick.
Beltran doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Beltran fails with an attempt to clinch.
Huchkov keeps the fight on the outside.

Beltran has Huchkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Beltran has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Huchkov.
Huchkov slows down the pace here.
Huchkov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Beltran has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Huchkov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Beltran tries for a takedown but Huchkov manages to get underhooks.
Matel Huchkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Beltran.

Huchkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Huchkov, right into the meat.
Beltran's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Beltran throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Huchkov's waist but Huchkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Beltran off to one side.
Beltran takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Huchkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Beltran shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Huchkov as he jumps to the side.
Beltran moves forwards but Huchkov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Beltran tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Huchkov swivels and escapes.
Huchkov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Beltran dives in for a single leg takedown but Huchkov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
It looked like Huchkov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice cross by Huchkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Beltran takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Beltran is rocked!
Beltran on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Beltran is still on wobbly legs! Can Huchkov finish him?
Nice straight punches there by Huchkov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Huchkov.
A jab from Huchkov does it's job there.
Huchkov tests Beltran's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Huchkov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Carlos Beltran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Huchkov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Huchkov is looking to chop away at Beltran's legs.
Huchkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Huchkov.
Huchkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Beltran.

Huchkov gets tackled into the cage by Beltran. Beltran maintains the clinch.
Beltran seems to have recovered his senses.

Huchkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot lands for Huchkov.
Beltran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Beltran tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Decent striking displayed by Huchkov there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Beltran 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Beltran misses with a straight right.
Huchkov throws the left hand but Beltran avoids the punch easily.
Huchkov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Beltran throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Huchkov was covering up waiting for the punch and Beltran finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Huchkov has his feet on Beltran's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Beltran.
Nice sprawl there from Huchkov as Beltran shoots in.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That kick from Huchkov tenderised Beltran's leg. Beltran is trying to keep his angry face on.
Beltran tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Huchkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Huchkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beltran looks to land a right hand but Huchkov moved out of range.
Beltran takes one on the button.
Beltran misses with a looping right.
Beltran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Huchkov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Huchkov.
Huchkov lands with a cross.

Beltran feints and as Huchkov raises his hands in defense, Beltran changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Huchkov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Matel Huchkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Huchkov lands a shoulder strike.
Beltran has a couple of punches blocked by Huchkov.
A short right from Huchkov on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Huchkov blocks an uppercut.
Huchkov tries to work over Beltran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Huchkov breaks the clinch.
Beltran tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matel Huchkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Huchkov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matel Huchkov!
During a confident post fight interview, Matel Huchkov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.