PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anton Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Karhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chekhov comes to the cage accompanied by КАТЮШA. Karhu is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Samuli Edelmann - Teit meistä kauniin. Anton Chekhov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chekhov
vs
Karhu

169 cm
32
142 lbs
29 - 12 - 2

176 cm
29
149 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Perkele!

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anton Chekhov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antti Karhu!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Chekhov.
Karhu bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Chekhov's head backwards.
Karhu has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Karhu misses with a body kick.
Chekhov misses with a looping right.
Chekhov misses with a wild body shot.
Karhu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Chekhov under the eye.
Karhu pushes Chekhov away with a front kick.
Karhu tries to clinch but Chekhov moves away
and Chekhov counters with a nice uppercut.
Chekhov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Chekhov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Chekhov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Chekhov sets himself, and Karhu steps forward looking for the clinch! Chekhov avoids it this time.

Karhu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chekhov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov struggles to land a body shot inside as Karhu controls his hands.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Karhu.
Karhu lands with a left to the head.
Karhu tries a body shot but Chekhov blocks it.
Karhu working aggressively here.
Karhu throws a punch but it's blocked by Chekhov.
Karhu wants to break free but Chekhov has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov stalling the fight.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Karhu blocks it.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
Chekhov prevents a body shot from Karhu.
Chekhov lands with a left to the head.
Karhu misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Chekhov fails to land.
Chekhov keeps control of Karhu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
Karhu is leaning against Chekhov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Karhu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Chekhov effectively controlling the action here.
A short right from Karhu.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karhu wants a takedown.
Karhu can't find room to land a body shot as Chekhov controls the action.
Karhu pushes off an throws an elbow but Chekhov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Chekhov fails to land.

Karhu manages to break the clinch.
A good leg kick by Karhu.
Chekhov lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Karhu moves into the clinch.
Karhu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chekhov misses with a punch on the inside.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karhu wants a takedown but no success here.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
Karhu has a couple of punches blocked by Chekhov.
Karhu tries to work over Chekhov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Karhu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Chekhov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Karhu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chekhov blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Karhu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Karhu.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.
Karhu working aggressively here.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Karhu avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Chekhov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karhu backwards.
Karhu tries a body shot but Chekhov blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karhu.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Karhu.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Karhu blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karhu.
Karhu throws a punch but it's blocked by Chekhov.
Karhu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chekhov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Anton Chekhov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antti Karhu.
Karhu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Karhu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Karhu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karhu.
A short right from Chekhov on the inside.
Chekhov has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Chekhov misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chekhov's elbow.

Chekhov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
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!
Chekhov throws a low kick but Karhu avoids it.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Chekhov connects with the punch.
Karhu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Karhu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Karhu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Good shot there by Chekhov.

Karhu is rocked!
Karhu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Karhu lands a right hook to the body.
Chekhov keeps Karhu at a distance using the push kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chekhov blocks a jab.
Karhu looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A head kick from Karhu lands but Chekhov takes it in his stride.
Chekhov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Chekhov looks to score with a jab to the body but Karhu is just out of range.
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 Anton Chekhov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Chekhov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Chekhov looks to land a right hand but Karhu moved out of range.
Karhu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Karhu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chekhov.
Chekhov throws a hook to the side of Karhu's head but Karhu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice uppercut lands for Chekhov. That snapped Karhu's head back.
Chekhov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Karhu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Karhu misses with a body shot
and Chekhov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Karhu loads up on a big right hand but Chekhov slips the punch.
Chekhov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Karhu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Chekhov. That did some damage!
Chekhov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karhu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karhu looks to land a right hand but Chekhov moved out of range.
Nice shot by Karhu.
Chekhov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Karhu.

Oooooh!!! Chekhov has knocked Karhu down with a huge combo! Chekhov steps away and waves a wobbly Karhu back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Karhu is still on wobbly legs! Can Chekhov finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chekhov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Chekhov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karhu.
Chekhov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Karhu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Karhu throws a head kick that misses.
Nice body kick from Chekhov.
Karhu seems to have recovered his senses.
Chekhov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Karhu.
Chekhov lands a slapping body shot.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the body.
Karhu misses with a straight right.
Chekhov thumps Karhu with a low kick.
Nice body kick from Chekhov.
Chekhov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karhu can do to turn this around?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chekhov throws a hook but Karhu blocks it.
Karhu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekhov manages to avoid it.
Karhu walks forward, straight into a front kick from Chekhov.
Chekhov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Karhu counters with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov throws a jab but it's blocked by Karhu.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Chekhov, right into the meat.
Karhu misses with a few strikes there.
Karhu throws a sloppy body shot
and Chekhov counters with a low kick, right behind Karhu 's knee.
Karhu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Chekhov.
Chekhov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Karhu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Karhu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Chekhov throws out a leg kick but Karhu moves out of range and Chekhov only half commits.
Karhu misses with a looping left.
Karhu lets loose with a powerful body kick. Chekhov will feel that in the morning.
Chekhov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karhu manages to avoid it.
Karhu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Chekhov.
Chekhov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karhu manages to avoid it.
Chekhov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karhu.
Karhu throws a leg kick which misses Chekhov's front leg but catches the back leg as Chekhov tries to avoid it.
Chekhov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Karhu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Chekhov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karhu appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Chekhov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Chekhov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karhu.
Chekhov misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Karhu. Chekhov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chekhov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Anton Chekhov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Chekhov as Karhu shoots in.
Anton Chekhov is winning the standup battle so far.
Chekhov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Karhu's sensitive parts.
Chekhov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chekhov tries to bum rush Karhu with a series of wild strikes but Karhu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karhu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Chekhov checks it well.
Some bone on bone action there as Chekhov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Karhu walks into a left hand.
Chekhov throws an overhand right that lands on Karhu's shoulder, as Karhu tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Karhu moves into range and clinches up with Chekhov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu has a couple of punches blocked by Chekhov.
Karhu misses with a punch on the inside.
Chekhov presses Karhu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Karhu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chekhov is pushing Karhu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Chekhov lands a nice uppercut.
Chekhov can't find room to land a body shot as Karhu controls the action.
Chekhov slows down the pace here.
Chekhov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chekhov lands a nice uppercut.
Karhu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Chekhov.
Karhu misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Karhu takes a swing at Chekhov's ribcage but misses.
Chekhov looks to score with a jab to the body but Karhu is just out of range.
Karhu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Karhu backs away, Chekhov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Karhu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Chekhov can pounce on him.
Karhu throws a hook but Chekhov blocks it.
Chekhov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Karhu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Karhu throws a hook but Chekhov avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Chekhov misses.
Chekhov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Chekhov throws a head kick but Karhu moves out of range.
Chekhov misses with a wild body shot.
Chekhov misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chekhov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karhu moves out of range of the body kick from Chekhov.
Karhu is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chekhov with a body shot.
Chekhov moves away from the strike by Karhu.
Chekhov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Karhu scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Karhu finds it's way round the side to connect with Chekhov's head.
Karhu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chekhov.
Chekhov throws a big shot that misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Karhu!
Karhu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Karhu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chekhov's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Karhu throws out a loose jab but Chekhov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karhu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chekhov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Karhu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Chekhov misses with a body shot
and Chekhov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Karhu misses with a lunging right hand

and Chekhov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov is trying to control. Karhu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Chekhov controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Karhu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Chekhov wants to take a breather but Karhu is having none of it.
Chekhov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Karhu is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu is staying active underneath Chekhov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Karhu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chekhov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karhu.
Chekhov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Karhu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karhu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Chekhov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karhu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Chekhov.
Karhu tries to close the distance and clinch but Chekhov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Chekhov misses with a body kick.
Chekhov with a jab.
Karhu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chekhov circles away quickly and effectively.
Karhu throws a head kick but Chekhov moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu throws a shot from downtown. Chekhov moves away and avoids it.
Chekhov connects with a solid leg kick.
Chekhov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chekhov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Chekhov throws a body punch but Karhu moves out of range.
Chekhov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Karhu has time to react.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chekhov tries to land a leg kick but Karhu saw it coming and moves away.
Karhu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Karhu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Chekhov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karhu manages to avoid it.
Chekhov misses with a few strikes there.
Karhu with the counter takedown but Chekhov avoids it easily.
Chekhov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Karhu lands a leg kick that knocks Chekhov off balance momentarily.
Chekhov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karhu.
Karhu throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Chekhov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Karhu moves out of range of the body kick from Chekhov.
Karhu steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Chekhov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Anton Chekhov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A swing and a miss from Chekhov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Karhu. Chekhov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chekhov wants to land a leg kick but Karhu is out of range.
Chekhov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Karhu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Karhu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice defenses there by Chekhov.
Karhu throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nice shot lands for Chekhov.
Karhu throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A jab from Chekhov does it's job there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karhu walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Chekhov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Chekhov lands a slapping body shot.
Karhu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karhu avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chekhov.
Chekhov looks to score with a jab to the body but Karhu is just out of range.
Karhu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chekhov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body kick there by Chekhov.
Chekhov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Chekhov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Karhu keeps Chekhov at a distance using the push kick.
Karhu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Karhu thows a body kick. Chekhov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Karhu takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Karhu throws a body shot but no joy.
Karhu throws a chopping leg kick but Chekhov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu throws a leg kick but Chekhov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Chekhov looks to throw the jab but Karhu is out of range.
Chekhov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Chekhov ducks under a wild hook from Karhu.
An attempted straight right counter from Chekhov misses the target.
Chekhov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
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!
Chekhov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karhu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Chekhov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Karhu avoids the body shot from Chekhov.
Karhu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chekhov throws a body punch but Karhu moves out of range.
And Karhu responds with a good body kick, but Chekhov manages to step out the way in time.
Chekhov throws a hook to the side of Karhu's head but Karhu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chekhov tries to clinch there but Karhu circles away.
Chekhov lands a jab to Karhu's midsection.
Karhu has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Chekhov.
Karhu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chekhov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Karhu blocks the low kick.
Chekhov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Karhu.
Chekhov moves out of range of the strikes.
Karhu misses with a two punch combination.
Chekhov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Karhu throws a chopping leg kick but Chekhov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Chekhov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Karhu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Karhu clinches with his opponent.
Karhu struggles to land a body shot inside as Chekhov controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Chekhov fails to land.
Karhu prevents a body shot from Chekhov.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Karhu.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.
Karhu scores with a shoulder strike.
Karhu lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karhu breaks from the clinch.
An inside leg kick from Karhu misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karhu looks to throw the jab but Chekhov is out of range.
Chekhov works the jab nicely.
Karhu throws a series of punches but Chekhov avoids them all with ease.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Chekhov slips a jab and a cross from Karhu.
Chekhov looks to land a left hand but Karhu moved out of range nicely.
Chekhov ducks under a wild hook from Karhu.
Chekhov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Chekhov throws a solid leg kick but Karhu takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chekhov.
Crunch! Karhu slams his shin into Chekhov's torso.
Karhu tries to bum rush Chekhov with a series of wild strikes but Chekhov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chekhov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Chekhov takes one to the chin there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov had his way with Antti Karhu in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Karhu crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Chekhov - the referee stops the clock and Karhu gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Chekhov. Karhu manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Karhu scores with a jab to the body.
An inside leg kick from Chekhov misses.
Chekhov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karhu.
Chekhov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Karhu throws a leg kick which misses Chekhov's front leg but catches the back leg as Chekhov tries to avoid it.
Karhu lands a two punch combo.
Chekhov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A jab lands there for Chekhov.
A clash of legs there as Karhu blocks the low kick.
Karhu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Chekhov throws a looping overhand right but Karhu ducks down to avoid it.
Karhu blocks a leg kick.
Karhu doesn't manage to clinch there - Chekhov circles away.
Chekhov throws a big counter combination but Karhu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Chekhov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Karhu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chekhov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chekhov is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Karhu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Karhu looks to score with a jab to the body but Chekhov is just out of range.
Chekhov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Chekhov misses with a hook to the body

and Karhu counters with a shoot takedown. Chekhov fights it but they end up in guard.
Karhu trying to control the position from guard on top but Chekhov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chekhov is pulling down on Karhu's head to control his posture.
Chekhov is trying to keep Karhu in close.
Chekhov keeping moving, preventing Karhu from controlling successfully.
Anton Chekhov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu won't allow Chekhov to sweep him here.
Antti Karhu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chekhov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Karhu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Karhu lands a nice shot that snaps Chekhov's head back.
Chekhov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Karhu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekhov manages to avoid it.
A big left from Chekhov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov throws a jab when Karhu was well out of range.
Chekhov blocks the body kick.
Chekhov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Karhu looks for a takedown but Chekhov sprawls well.
Good standup being displayed there by Chekhov as he connects with a hook.
Karhu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chekhov lands a front kick.
Karhu blocks the body kick.
Chekhov checks a low kick from Karhu.
Chekhov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chekhov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Chekhov feints and then cracks Karhu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Karhu down.
Chekhov feints and then cracks Karhu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Karhu down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov checks a low kick from Karhu.
Karhu misses with a lunging right hand
and Chekhov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chekhov connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Chekhov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Karhu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chekhov.
Chekhov connects with a body shot that sends Karhu's belly button to the back.
Karhu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chekhov on the side of the head.
Chekhov connects with an inside leg kick.
Karhu throws a body shot but no joy.
Chekhov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Karhu has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Karhu throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Karhu gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Chekhov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karhu misses with a body kick.
Chekhov fakes the leg kick and cracks Karhu in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Chekhov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Chekhov, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Chekhov!
Anton Chekhov retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Anton Chekhov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.