PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Josh Koscheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Chernekov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Koscheck might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Boom Boom. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Koscheck
vs
Chernekov

178 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Josh Koscheck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandr Chernekov!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chernekov stuffs the takedown.
Chernekov swinging wilding here.
Chernekov thuds his right hand into Koscheck's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Chernekov scores with a jab.
Koscheck misses with a takedown attempt - Chernekov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Koscheck showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chernekov.
Koscheck throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Chernekov's waist but Chernekov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koscheck off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Koscheck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chernekov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Koscheck shoots in but no luck this time.
Koscheck is breathing heavily.
No luck for Koscheck with that takedown attempt.

Chernekov scores with a takedown into Koscheck's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chernekov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Koscheck wants to sweep but no luck.
Chernekov trying to control but Koscheck is working from the bottom.
Koscheck looking for a sweep. Not yet Koscheck, not yet.
Chernekov is in close to Koscheck's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernekov trying to control the position from guard on top but Koscheck is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chernekov controlling from the top position.
Chernekov lands a couple of digs.

Chernekov stands up from Koscheck's guard - Chernekov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Josh Koscheck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koscheck walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Chernekov throws a shot to the body.
Chernekov throws a good cross that connects.
Chernekov scores with a hook.

Chernekov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Koscheck's guard.
Chernekov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Koscheck tries to strike from the bottom.
Chernekov lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Koscheck keeping moving, preventing Chernekov from controlling successfully.

Koscheck is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Chernekov scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Koscheck wants to sweep here but Chernekov controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Chernekov lands a lovely overhand right.
Chernekov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Chernekov connects with a looping right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chernekov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koscheck.
Good standup being displayed there by Chernekov as he connects with a hook.
Chernekov digs a good hook to Koscheck's body.
Chernekov cracks Koscheck with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Koscheck doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Chernekov!
Chernekov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Koscheck had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Koscheck takes one to the side of the head.
Koscheck with a lazy takedown attempt
and Chernekov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Koscheck gets caught flat footed, as Chernekov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Koscheck tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Koscheck lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Chernekov!
Chernekov flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The referee warns Chernekov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koscheck throws some wild stikes that Chernekov manages to avoid easily.
BOOM! Koscheck connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Chernekov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Chernekov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Koscheck lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Chernekov hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koscheck moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Chernekov has worked his arm free - good work by Chernekov!

Koscheck wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Chernekov, who protects the arm well.
Koscheck tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Chernekov is trying to get back to half guard.
Koscheck lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chernekov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Koscheck's best efforts.
Ground and pound from Koscheck.
Koscheck blocks the strikes from Chernekov.
Koscheck takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Chernekov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Koscheck with a poor takedown
and Chernekov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Chernekov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Chernekov lands a two punch combo.
Koscheck misses with a takedown attempt
and Chernekov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Chernekov dips to his left and cracks Koscheck with an uppercut!
Chernekov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Chernekov duly obliges.
Koscheck walks into a jab.
Chernekov scores with a body shot.
Chernekov stalks Koscheck and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Koscheck's face. Koscheck staggers backwards, shaken.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Koscheck. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Koscheck takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Koscheck shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Chernekov counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Koscheck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice combination there by Chernekov.
Koscheck shoots and misses
enabling Chernekov to counter with a crisp jab.

Koscheck closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Koscheck lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Koscheck throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Koscheck working Chernekov over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koscheck scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Koscheck takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Chernekov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Chernekov punching from the bottom.

Koscheck is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Chernekov is just riding it out for now. Koscheck eventually gives up the hold.
Koscheck 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice jab there from Chernekov.
Chernekov scores with a jab to the body.

Koscheck changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Chernekov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Chernekov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Koscheck working away.
Chernekov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koscheck regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck wants to hit a switch here but Chernekov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Koscheck there!
Koscheck tries to reverse the position but Chernekov maintains control.
Koscheck swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Koscheck taking shots to the head.
Chernekov unloading with bombs!
Koscheck is desperately trying to improve his position but Chernekov has a good base and remains in mount.
Koscheck is in a horrible position here. Chernekov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Chernekov working Koscheck over with strikes here.
Koscheck is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Chernekov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Koscheck is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Koscheck is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Koscheck is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Chernekov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Chernekov is landing with some decent strikes but Koscheck is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Chernekov tries to control but Koscheck wriggling away.
Koscheck gets back to half guard.
Chernekov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Koscheck is looking to improve his position.
Koscheck moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Koscheck wants to hit a switch here but Chernekov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Koscheck there!
Koscheck is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aleksandr Chernekov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Koscheck shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Chernekov to counter with a crisp jab.

Chernekov scores with a takedown into Koscheck's guard.
Koscheck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chernekov is one step ahead there.
Chernekov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Chernekov chips away with some ground and pound.
Koscheck looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chernekov is one step ahead there.
Koscheck throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Chernekov preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chernekov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koscheck's head.

Koscheck is looking for a triangle here but Chernekov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernekov in side control lands a decent elbow.

Chernekov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Koscheck with a lazy takedown attempt
and Koscheck takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Chernekov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Koscheck looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Koscheck shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Chernekov throws a big shot that misses.
Koscheck shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Chernekov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Koscheck thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Koscheck. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koscheck shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Chernekov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Koscheck misses with a takedown attempt
and Chernekov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Koscheck with a lazy takedown attempt
and Chernekov counters with a nice uppercut.
Chernekov lands a two punch combo.
Koscheck shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Chernekov counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov misses with the combination.
An inside leg kick lands from Chernekov.
Koscheck shoots and misses
and Chernekov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Koscheck misses with a takedown attempt
and Chernekov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Koscheck looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Chernekov!
A nice elbow there by Koscheck.
Koscheck is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Chernekov is desperately trying to improve his position but Koscheck has a good base and remains in mount.
Koscheck landing strikes from the mount.
A nice elbow there by Koscheck.
Chernekov is looking to get to half guard.
Chernekov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chernekov is bucking up trying to escape but Koscheck cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Chernekov throwing hammer fists to the chest of Koscheck. What's that going to do exactly?
Koscheck scoring with strikes but Chernekov is staying in there.
Chernekov tries to reverse the position but Koscheck maintains control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Chernekov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Koscheck goes for an armbar but Chernekov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Chernekov.
Koscheck looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koscheck manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Chernekov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Koscheck looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Josh Koscheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chernekov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Koscheck dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koscheck lands a big shot there that rocks Chernekov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Chernekov wants to hold on but Koscheck pushes him away.
Koscheck raining down shots from the mount!
Koscheck lands with some strikes.
Koscheck landing punches.
Koscheck scoring with strikes but Chernekov is staying in there.
Koscheck is landing with some decent strikes but Chernekov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Chernekov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Koscheck is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Chernekov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
A nice elbow there by Koscheck.
Aleksandr Chernekov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chernekov wants to control but Koscheck is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aleksandr Chernekov.
Well Chernekov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Chernekov!