PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ivan ORourke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nogi Kartov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kartov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Pantera - Cowboys from Hell. This should be a great matchup!

ORourke
vs
Kartov

180 cm
27
143 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

165 cm
27
142 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

O'Brannigan's Fightwear

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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan ORourke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nogi Kartov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kartov throws a hook to the side of ORourke's head but ORourke sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kartov connects with the punch.
Kartov throws a one two combo.
ORourke takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kartov connects with a solid leg kick.
ORourke on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kartov. Kartov obviously looking to wear him down.
ORourke misses with a lunging right hand
and Kartov counters with a stiff right hand.

ORourke clinches up against the cage.
ORourke lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
ORourke blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Kartov.
ORourke presses Kartov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
ORourke stalling in the clinch but Kartov improves position.
A head punch on the inside from ORourke fails to land.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Kartov avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.
ORourke softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kartov pushes ORourke back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Still in the clinch, Kartov scores with a nice short uppercut.
ORourke scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kartov wants to get back to striking at distance but ORourke won't allow it.
ORourke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kartov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kartov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
ORourke lands a body shot.
ORourke taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
ORourke is trying to maintain a safe position but Kartov gets an underhook and turns ORourke into the cage.

Kartov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kartov misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kartov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kartov misses with a hook.
ORourke thumps Kartov with a low kick.
ORourke keeps Kartov at a distance using the push kick.
ORourke scoring well with a low kick there.
ORourke really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
ORourke lands a head kick!
ORourke takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kartov cracks a nice hook into ORourke's ribs.
Kartov looks to score with a jab to the body but ORourke is just out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from ORourke.
ORourke walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kartov misses with a hook
and ORourke counters with a right hand to the body.
Kartov misses with a body punch
and ORourke makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kartov really felt that one!
Kartov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kartov throws a combination that misses
and ORourke counters with an outside leg kick.
ORourke takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kartov misses with a wild body shot.
ORourke feints a jab promting Kartov to slip. ORourke then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kartov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

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!
Kartov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and ORourke counters with a two punch combo.
Kartov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
ORourke thumps Kartov with a low kick.
Kartov throws a jab when ORourke was well out of range.
ORourke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kartov misses with a two punch combination.
ORourke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kartov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kartov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kartov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
ORourke with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
ORourke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kartov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but ORourke was well out of range. Poor timing from Kartov.
A swing and a miss from Kartov.
ORourke takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kartov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - ORourke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
ORourke uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kartov.
Kartov looks to land a right hand but ORourke moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kartov throws an off balance right hand

and ORourke counters by clinching up.
ORourke blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
ORourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
ORourke has a couple of punches blocked by Kartov.

Kartov breaks the clinch.
ORourke tries to clinch up but Kartov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kartov throws a predictable looking body shot
and ORourke makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
ORourke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Nogi Kartov has been cut.
ORourke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kartov moves away.
Kartov throws a nice looking combination but ORourke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kartov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping ORourke at a distance.
Kartov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from ORourke.
ORourke closes the distance but Kartov moves to the side
and Kartov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kartov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kartov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but ORourke moves away.
Kartov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but ORourke circles away quickly and effectively.
Kartov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The fighters circling - Kartov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kartov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kartov shoots for a double leg takedown but ORourke sprawls well. He's pushed Kartov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kartov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! ORourke had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
ORourke throws a shot to the body.
Kartov connects with a body shot that sends ORourke's belly button to the back.
Kartov misses with a few strikes there.

ORourke has closed the distance and engaged Kartov in a clinch.
ORourke blocks a body shot from Kartov.
Kartov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kartov is trying to break free.
A short right hand to the side of the head by ORourke.
ORourke taking a breather.
ORourke stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
ORourke scores with a shoulder strike.
ORourke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
ORourke pushes Kartov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
ORourke lands a nice shot to the body.

Kartov manages to break the clinch.
Kartov looks gassed!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
ORourke lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
ORourke scores with a spinning back kick!
Kartov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
ORourke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kartov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

ORourke pushes Kartov up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan ORourke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nogi Kartov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

ORourke darts in and clinches Kartov up against the cage.
ORourke tries to work over Kartov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
ORourke lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kartov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
ORourke looking to stall.
A nice left hand lands by Kartov.
ORourke dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kartov misses with the head strike.
ORourke gets through Kartov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kartov lands a right hand.
ORourke wants to stall.
Kartov trying to control the position but instead, ORourke has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kartov into the cage.
ORourke misses with a punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Kartov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slow jab from Kartov misses its intended target.
ORourke tries to clinch but Kartov moves away
and Kartov counters with a three punch combo that has ORourke backing up. ORourke nods at Kartov to acknowledge the strikes.
ORourke lands with a kick to the ribs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kartov throws the left hand but ORourke avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartov lands a jab.
Kartov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
ORourke lands a two punch combo.
ORourke wants to clinch but Kartov slips to the side
and Kartov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kartov scores with the left hand. ORourke knows he should have avoided that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from ORourke. Kartov does a little dance to reset his feet.
ORourke chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kartov shoots in looking for a takedown but ORourke manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kartov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kartov swats away the attempt to clinch by ORourke.
Kartov misses with a telegraphed body shot

and ORourke holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
ORourke softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
ORourke misses with some punches.
ORourke misses with the head strike.
ORourke is stalling here.
Kartov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
ORourke lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Kartov as the two fighters clinch.
ORourke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kartov has a couple of punches blocked by ORourke.
Kartov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from ORourke.
ORourke tries to throw a body punch but Kartov avoids it by throwing ORourke back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ORourke lands a body punch.
Kartov trying to stall but ORourke improves his position.
Kartov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by ORourke.
ORourke throws a punch but it's blocked by Kartov.
A right hook to the body lands for Kartov.
Good body shot from Kartov.
ORourke scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kartov.
Kartov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
ORourke prevents a body shot from Kartov.
ORourke lands with a right to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on ORourke - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
ORourke misses with the head strike.
Kartov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kartov lands a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kartov blocks an uppercut.
ORourke lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Kartov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
ORourke tries to clinch up but Kartov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kartov misses with a jab, cross combination.
ORourke is looking to wear down Kartov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
ORourke tries a head kick but it misses.
Kartov misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kartov swats away the attempt to clinch by ORourke.
Kartov thows a left - swing and a miss!
ORourke lands with a kick to the ribs.
ORourke delivers a nice body kick.

ORourke rushes Kartov and presses him up against the cage.
Kartov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kartov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kartov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ivan ORourke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kartov tries to throw a body punch but ORourke avoids it by throwing Kartov back against the cage.
ORourke misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kartov.
ORourke taking a breather.
A head punch on the inside from ORourke fails to land.
ORourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
ORourke lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kartov backwards.
ORourke stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
ORourke lands a body shot in the clinch.
ORourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kartov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
ORourke has a couple of punches blocked by Kartov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kartov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
ORourke throws a punch but it's blocked by Kartov.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nice body punch from ORourke.
Kartov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from ORourke.

Kartov breaks from the clinch.
ORourke takes a swing at Kartov's ribcage but misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - ORourke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
ORourke swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kartov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
ORourke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
ORourke throws a combination that misses
and Kartov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kartov digs a good hook to ORourke's body.
Kartov throws a nice looking combination but ORourke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
ORourke scores with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

ORourke drives through and clinches with Kartov against the cage.
Kartov lands a body shot.
Kartov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
ORourke lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Kartov.
ORourke throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan ORourke dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nogi Kartov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kartov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
ORourke fails with an attempt to clinch.
ORourke ducks under a wild hook from Kartov.
Kartov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A jab from Kartov misses.
Ivan ORourke is winning the standup battle so far.
ORourke scores with a leg kick.
ORourke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slow jab from Kartov misses its intended target.
Kartov throws out a powerful jab.
Kartov throws an overhand right that lands on ORourke's shoulder, as ORourke tries to avoid the shot.
ORourke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kartov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
ORourke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
ORourke moves in looking to clinch but Kartov pushes him off.
Kartov throws a lazy right hand but ORourke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
ORourke is looking to clinch.
ORourke doesn't manage to clinch there - Kartov circles away.
Kartov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kartov thows a leg kick but ORourke checks it
and ORourke counters with a series of strikes. Kartov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ivan ORourke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartov throws a body punch but ORourke moves out of range.
Kartov misses with a body shot.
Kartov misses with a two punch combination.
Kartov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kartov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kartov stalks ORourke and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into ORourke's face. ORourke staggers backwards, shaken.

ORourke closes the distance and clinches.
ORourke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kartov.
ORourke is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kartov is keeping busy.
ORourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
ORourke digs a right hand underneath Kartov's ribcage. Kartov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kartov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
ORourke is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
ORourke misses with a short punch on the inside.
ORourke lands with a short shot to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short uppercut from Kartov.
ORourke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kartov struggles to land a body shot inside as ORourke controls his hands.
Kartov prevents a body shot from ORourke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ORourke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kartov blocking some punches.
A short right from ORourke.
ORourke misses with a hook from the clinch.
ORourke has Kartov pressed against the cage, preventing Kartov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch on the inside from ORourke fails to land.
Kartov is trying to break the clinch but ORourke has him pressed against the cage.
ORourke lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kartov backwards.
Nice body punch from ORourke.

Kartov breaks from the clinch.
Kartov thows a body shot but no joy.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by ORourke!
Kartov looks to score with a jab to the body but ORourke is just out of range.
Kartov works ORourke's body with a nice hook.
Kartov slips a straight right by ORourke.
ORourke slips a straight right by Kartov.
ORourke lands with a kick to the temple. Kartov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kartov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kartov misses the shot to the body.
Kartov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
ORourke throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ORourke scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kartov throws a hook to the side of ORourke's head but ORourke sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
ORourke closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kartov counters with a three punch combo that has ORourke backing up. ORourke nods at Kartov to acknowledge the strikes.
ORourke connects with a leg kick. Kartov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
ORourke tries to clinch there but Kartov circles away.
ORourke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kartov swats away the attempt to clinch by ORourke.
ORourke uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kartov.
Kartov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but ORourke moves away.
Kartov works over ORourke's head and body with a nice combination.
Kartov misses the shot to the body.
ORourke throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kartov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says ORourke as he avoids it easily.
Kartov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
ORourke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nogi Kartov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

ORourke moves into the clinch.
Kartov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
ORourke lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right hook to the body lands for ORourke.
A nice left hand lands by ORourke.
ORourke presses Kartov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kartov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kartov working hard to break the clinch.
Kartov misses with a punch on the inside.
ORourke is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A frustrated look appears on Kartov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
ORourke is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kartov is keeping busy.
ORourke throws a punch but it's blocked by Kartov.
Kartov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kartov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kartov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kartov is trying to break the clinch but ORourke is controlling him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
ORourke working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from ORourke.
Ivan ORourke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
ORourke working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
ORourke stalling against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan ORourke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well ORourke has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan ORourke!