PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ron Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lemieux comes to the cage accompanied by Sliwa. Chekhov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by КАТЮШA. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Lemieux
vs
Chekhov

179 cm
28
135 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

169 cm
25
140 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ron Lemieux!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anton Chekhov!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chekhov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lemieux if he has to take too many more of those.
Chekhov tries to clinch up.
Lemieux moves out of range as Chekhov strikes.
Chekhov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Chekhov wants to land a leg kick but Lemieux is out of range.
Chekhov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Lemieux jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lemieux throws a hook to the side of Chekhov's head but Chekhov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chekhov lands a nice looking body shot.
Lemieux connects with a body shot that sends Chekhov's belly button to the back.
Lemieux works Chekhov's body with a nice hook.
Nice uppercut there from Chekhov.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Chekhov.
Chekhov misses the jab.
Chekhov connects with a solid leg kick.
Chekhov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lemieux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've been hearing reports that Lemieux has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Chekhov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Chekhov throws a lazy body kick

and Lemieux counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lemieux.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Chekhov pulls Lemieux in to control the position.
Lemieux postures up.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.
Chekhov trying to control the position.
Lemieux wants to control from the top but Chekhov keeps moving.
Lemieux slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Donk. Lemieux catches Chekhov right on the button with a cross.
Chekhov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lemieux connects with a body shot that sends Chekhov's belly button to the back.

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!
The fighters circling - Lemieux throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lemieux scores with a jab to the jaw.
Chekhov wants to clinch up but Lemieux keeps it at a distance.
Chekhov misses with a wild body shot.
Lemieux blocks a low kick nicely.
Lemieux shoots in but Chekhov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chekhov lands a slapping body shot.
Chekhov misses with a body kick.
Lemieux feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Chekhov's calf.
Chekhov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lemieux tests Chekhov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A big left from Lemieux misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov is looking to clinch but Lemieux is avoiding it.
Chekhov throws a leg kick but Lemieux sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lemieux throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Chekhov's waist but Chekhov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lemieux off to one side.
Jab from Chekhov.
Lemieux will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Chekhov feints and then cracks Lemieux's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lemieux down.
Lemieux uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A left lands for Chekhov.

Chekhov has closed the distance and engaged Lemieux in a clinch.
Chekhov prevents a body shot from Lemieux.
Lemieux is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Chekhov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lemieux tries a body shot but Chekhov blocks it.
Lemieux fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lemieux doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chekhov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lemieux throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux misses with some punches.
Chekhov prevents a body shot from Lemieux.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Lemieux.
Lemieux lands a right hand.
Lemieux goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lemieux tries a body shot but Chekhov blocks it.
Lemieux jumps guard but Chekhov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ron Lemieux. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lemieux has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chekhov after a bit of a struggle.
Lemieux doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lemieux is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lemieux throws a head punch that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A hook to the body from Chekhov.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lemieux looking for a takedown.
Lemieux doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ron Lemieux will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lemieux keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd cheers as Chekhov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lemieux doesn't seem phased though.
Chekhov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lemieux ducks under a wild hook from Chekhov.
Lemieux really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Chekhov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Chekhov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lemieux lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Lemieux's corner calls for a 1-2. Lemieux obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Chekhov is looking to clinch but Lemieux is avoiding it.
Chekhov scores with a sloppy right hand. Lemieux should have avoided that one.
Chekhov wants to clinch up but Lemieux keeps it at a distance.
Good work by Lemieux as he checks the leg kick.
Lemieux attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lemieux moves out of range of the body kick.
Chekhov throws a leg kick but Lemieux moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Chekhov chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Chekhov has closed the distance and engaged Lemieux in a clinch.
Chekhov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Lemieux up against the cage.
Chekhov scores with a shoulder strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Lemieux.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chekhov.
Lemieux tries to stall but Chekhov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Chekhov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lemieux tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lemieux tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chekhov's elbow.
Chekhov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lemieux.
Lemieux lands a left hand that snaps the head of Chekhov backwards.
Chekhov prevents a body shot from Lemieux.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux struggles to land a body shot inside as Chekhov controls his hands.
Lemieux is trying to pull guard but Chekhov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lemieux misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lemieux taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lemieux has Chekhov pressed against the cage, preventing Chekhov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Chekhov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lemieux backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Chekhov trying to stall but Lemieux improves his position.
Lemieux looking to slow down the pace here.
Lemieux swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Chekhov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lemieux.
Ron Lemieux has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Chekhov lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lemieux is looking for a takedown.
Lemieux softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lemieux misses with a body punch.
Chekhov controlling the action here for a moment.
Lemieux trying to control the position but instead, Chekhov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lemieux into the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Chekhov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lemieux struggles to land a body shot inside as Chekhov controls his hands.
A short right from Chekhov on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Lemieux.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Chekhov as Lemieux tries to tie him up.
Lemieux blocks an uppercut.
Chekhov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Chekhov throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Chekhov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Chekhov as Lemieux tries to tie him up.
Chekhov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lemieux.
Lemieux tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chekhov's elbow.
Lemieux misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lemieux presses Chekhov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lemieux stalling in the clinch but Chekhov improves position.
Chekhov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lemieux's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Chekhov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lemieux scrambles back to his feet.
Chekhov misses the jab.
Lemieux steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chekhov.
Chekhov scoring well with a low kick there.
Lemieux misses with a head kick.
Chekhov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Both fighters circling a little - Chekhov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Chekhov staying out of range there.
Chekhov looks for the body kick but Lemieux saw that one coming.
Anton Chekhov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chekhov is looking to clinch.
Chekhov misses with a low kick.
Chekhov throws the kick towards the body but Lemieux avoids it.

Lemieux throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Chekhov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lemieux is in Chekhov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Chekhov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Lemieux looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lemieux is in trouble now - Chekhov has advanced to mount!
Chekhov fails to move to back control.
Chekhov looking to control but Lemieux is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Chekhov content just to control the position here.
Chekhov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov moves to back control.
Lemieux tries to escape the position.
Chekhov trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lemieux is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Chekhov.

Chekhov working for a choke but Lemieux is defending well.
Chekhov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Lemieux doesn't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux trying to control but not successfully.
Lemieux tries to break free.
Our spies down at at Beast Cartel inform us that Chekhov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Chekhov biding his time, looking for the opening.

Lemieux defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lemieux trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lemieux trying to control but Chekhov is working from the bottom.
Chekhov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lemieux with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lemieux landing some decent shots from guard.
Chekhov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhov has Lemieux pulled in close to control his posture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lemieux wants to pass the guard but Chekhov is keeping the position.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lemieux shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Chekhov is trying to defend but Lemieux finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lemieux sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Chekhov defending well though.
Chekhov wants to improve his position but Lemieux is controlling well.
Lemieux has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Lemieux looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lemieux looks to land a strike but Chekhov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Chekhov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chekhov is trying to keep Lemieux in close.
Chekhov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lemieux throws a big right hand that misses.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lemieux missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lemieux is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lemieux is in close to Chekhov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lemieux preventing the sweep.
Chekhov pulls Lemieux in close to his closed guard and prevents Lemieux from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux throws a strike but Chekhov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lemieux tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lemieux looking for a guillotine here but Chekhov defends easily.
Chekhov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lemieux looking for a sweep. Not yet Lemieux, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Chekhov can't handle though.
Lemieux is looking to sweep but instead, Chekhov has passed into half guard.
Chekhov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lemieux keeps working.
Chekhov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Chekhov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Chekhov content just to control the position here.
Chekhov trying to control but Lemieux is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Chekhov controlling the position easily from mount.
Lemieux is squirming around, avoiding Chekhov's attempts to control the action.
Lemieux regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chekhov moves into full mount! Lemieux won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ron Lemieux will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A looping hook to the body misses from Chekhov. Lemieux does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chekhov misses with a kick to the body.
Good leg kick by Lemieux there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Chekhov clinches up against the cage.
Lemieux tries to pull guard but Chekhov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Chekhov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Chekhov throws a punch but it's blocked by Lemieux.
Lemieux misses with a body punch.
Lemieux misses with the head strike.
Lemieux has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Chekhov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lemieux looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lemieux.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lemieux lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
Chekhov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lemieux or not.
Lemieux stalling the fight.
Lemieux can't find room to land a body shot as Chekhov controls the action.
Chekhov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The crowd are getting on Chekhov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Chekhov lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Lemieux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chekhov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chekhov tries to clinch but Lemieux moves out of range.
Chekhov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lemieux if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov is looking to clinch.
Anton Chekhov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chekhov slips a jab from Lemieux.
Chekhov misses with a hook.
Chekhov lands a jab to Lemieux's midsection.
Lemieux is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chekhov.
Chekhov throws a body kick that misses.
Lemieux comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Lemieux.
An inside leg kick from Chekhov misses.
Chekhov wants to clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lemieux.
Anton Chekhov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Chekhov misses with an uppercut.
Lemieux shoots for a takedown but Chekhov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ron Lemieux. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chekhov tries to clinch up but Lemieux circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Lemieux misses the target.
Lemieux misses the jab.
Chekhov with a hook.
Chekhov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lemieux.
Lemieux blocks a head kick by Chekhov.
Chekhov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lemieux throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chekhov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lemieux moves out of range of the body kick.
Lemieux moves out of range as Chekhov throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Chekhov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chekhov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A shot to the body from Chekhov misses

and Lemieux counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Chekhov!
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!
Sloppy strikes there by Lemieux.
Chekhov is looking to reverse the position.
Chekhov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lemieux is trying to control the action in half guard but Chekhov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Lemieux wants to work for an arm triangle but Chekhov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lemieux is trying to work for a kimura but Chekhov is defending well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anton Chekhov.
I think Chekhov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:49
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Chekhov!
Anton Chekhov is the new bantamweight champion!
An out of breath Anton Chekhov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.