PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Reach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reach comes to the cage accompanied by Here's Johnny. Bashorov has chosen Hangar 18 as his entrance music. Karim Bashorov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Reach
vs
Bashorov

195 cm
35
195 lbs
34 - 11 - 2

190 cm
32
194 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Bullet Proof System

Bullet Proof System
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 11 - 2, fighting out of New York, Johnny Reach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashorov throws a shot to the body.
Bashorov scores with a nice strike.
Bashorov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bashorov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Reach slips under a jab from Bashorov.
Bashorov just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromReach.
Reach avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reach throws a hook to the side of Bashorov's head but Bashorov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bashorov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Reach stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've been told by Reach's head coaches at K.O.N.Y. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Reach throws a hook to the side of Bashorov's head but Bashorov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reach takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bashorov dips to his left and cracks Reach with an uppercut!
A swing and a miss from Reach.
Bashorov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reach tries to clinch there but Bashorov circles away.
Bashorov misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov lands with a good body shot.
Reach throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bashorov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bashorov cracks Reach with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bashorov digs a good body shot into Reach's ribs.
Reach tries to clinch up but Bashorov circles away and keeps his distance.
Bashorov tries to move into range but Reach moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bashorov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Reach backs up against the cage.
Reach slips under a jab from Bashorov.
Reach misses with a hook.
Reach takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bashorov misses with a body punch
and Reach counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reach is just out of range.
Bashorov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reach.
Johnny Reach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Bashorov throws a poor cross that misses
and Reach counters with a nice body kick.
Reach misses with a right hand
letting Bashorov counter with a right hand.
Reach throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reach takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reach is just out of range.
Reach swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bashorov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Reach thinking.
Reach throws a big shot that misses.
A little jabbing left from Bashorov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bashorov throws a shot to the body.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Reach moves out of range.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bashorov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reach avoids the body shot from Bashorov.
A big right from Bashorov misses.
Bashorov scores with a nice strike.

Bashorov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Reach!
Reach wants to control but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov tries to advance to mount but Reach denies him.
Bashorov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Reach tries to escape but Bashorov is in control.
Bashorov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Reach keeps working.
Bashorov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reach is trying to control Bashorov's posture but Bashorov avoids it.
Bashorov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Reach tries to buck Bashorov off but Bashorov is having none of it.

Bashorov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Reach is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Reach is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bashorov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Bashorov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Reach quickly recovers to half guard.
Bashorov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Bashorov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bashorov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bashorov trying to mount his opponent but Reach defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bashorov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reach is defending against the submission attempts here by Bashorov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reach is looking to control Bashorov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Reach avoid being mounted?
Bashorov is keen to just control but Reach is a slippery customer.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Reach is trying to maintain the position but Bashorov is very close to passing his half guard.

Bashorov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bashorov lands a nice short elbow.
Reach is looking for a sweep. Bashorov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bashorov wants to take a breather but Reach is having none of it.
Bashorov working over Reach with some ground and pound. Reach looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bashorov throwing shots but Reach is blocking nicely.
Reach has hold of Bashorov's hands but Bashorov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bashorov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bashorov in particular looking to stall.
Bashorov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bashorov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bashorov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bashorov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Reach does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bashorov prevents Reach from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bashorov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bashorov wants to advance to full mount but Reach doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Bashorov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bashorov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bashorov wants to pass the guard but Reach is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bashorov stands and throws Reach's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Reach's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bashorov throws out a powerful jab.
Bashorov throws a lazy uppercut
and Reach counters with a nice uppercut.
Bashorov misses with a body punch
and Bashorov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bashorov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Reach.
Bashorov lands a jab to the nose.
Jab, jab by Bashorov - just one landing.
Reach stuffs the takedown attempt from Bashorov. Bashorov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reach takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Karim Bashorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bashorov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Reach closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reach walks into a left hand.
Nice takedown defense from Reach. No joy for Bashorov on that attempt.
Reach moves out of range as Bashorov strikes.
Bashorov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Reach misses with a looping left.
Reach uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Bashorov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bashorov takes a swing at Reach's ribcage but misses.
Bashorov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reach.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bashorov misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Reach to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnny Reach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Reach looks for the body kick but Bashorov saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov throws an off balance right hand
and Reach counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bashorov misses the body punch
and Reach counters with a body kick that stops Bashorov in his tracks momentarily.
Bashorov keeps the fight on the outside.
Bashorov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bashorov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bashorov slips under a jab from Reach.
Reach takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bashorov lands the left hand.
Bashorov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Reach. Reach circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bashorov swings for the body but Reach moves out of range.
Bashorov throws a hook to the side of Reach's head but Reach sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Bashorov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bashorov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Karim Bashorov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Reach dodges the ground and pound from Bashorov.
Bashorov is looking to take a break and control but Reach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Reach is trying to control Bashorov's posture but Bashorov avoids it.
Reach takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bashorov trying to control the position but Reach is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bashorov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bashorov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Reach down.

Bashorov tries for a kimura but Reach is defending well.
Bashorov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Reach is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Reach parries the strikes from Bashorov easily there. Bashorov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Reach to escape.
Reach tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Bashorov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Bashorov looking to ground and pound but Reach is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reach avoids the body shot from Bashorov.
Reach went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bashorov slips a jab from Reach.
Bashorov stuns Reach with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Bashorov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Reach napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Reach throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reach moves away.
Bashorov scores with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bashorov tests Reach's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reach uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bashorov.
Reach on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Bashorov misses with a hook
and Reach connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov throws a lazy right hand but Reach sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bashorov lunges at Reach with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Reach's hand.
Bashorov throws a hook but Reach avoids it easily.
Bashorov misses with a left hand
and Reach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reach misses the jab.
Bashorov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. Reach does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reach defending well as Bashorov loads up on a big left hand.
Bashorov throws a hook but Reach avoids it easily.
It looked like Reach was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bashorov.
A slow jab from Bashorov misses its intended target.
Bashorov lands with a shot to the body.
Bashorov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reach uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Bashorov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bashorov misses with a straight left.
Bashorov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bashorov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reach throws a poor cross that misses
and Bashorov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bashorov shoots and misses
and Reach cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Reach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bashorov misses with a hook. Reach ducked under it nicely.
Reach is looking to counter with head kicks.
Reach closes the distance but Bashorov moves to the side
and Bashorov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov's corner calls for a 1-2. Bashorov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Karim Bashorov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Reach is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bashorov moves out of range of the body kick from Reach.
Bashorov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bashorov connects with a body shot that sends Reach's belly button to the back.
Bashorov throws an overhand right that lands on Reach's shoulder, as Reach tries to avoid the shot.
Bashorov throws a sloppy body shot
and Reach makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bashorov really felt that one!
A shot to the liver by Bashorov. Beautiful body shot.
Bashorov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reach moves out of range as Bashorov strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reach doesn't manage to clinch there - Bashorov circles away.
Bashorov throws a right hand that misses
and Bashorov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bashorov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Reach doesn't seem bothered though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bashorov misses with a straight left.
Bashorov lands a right hook to the body.
Bashorov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bashorov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Reach stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Reach throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bashorov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reach throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reach is looking to counter punch.
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov dominated that fourth round.
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. 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.

Bashorov throws a jab when Reach was well out of range.
Reach looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Reach dodges the punch combination from Bashorov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. Reach does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reach throwing a counter right hand but Bashorov manages to avoid it.
Reach takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bashorov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Reach defends well and Bashorov ends up having to push Reach into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bashorov digs a good hook to Reach's body.
Reach looks to score with a jab to the body but Bashorov is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov swings for the body but Reach moves out of range.
Bashorov moves out of range as Reach strikes.
Bashorov throws a hook but Reach avoids it easily.
Bashorov looks to land a left hand but Reach moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Reach misses with a lunging right hand
and Bashorov counters with a nice body shot.
Bashorov throws a nice looking combination but Reach bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bashorov throws out a powerful jab.
Reach misses with a body kick.
Reach throws a looping overhand right but Bashorov ducks down to avoid it.
Bashorov swings for the body but Reach moves out of range.
Bashorov throws a jab but it's blocked by Reach.
As Bashorov tries to get set, Reach tries to push him back and clinch up but Bashorov manages to avoid the attempt.
Bashorov swings widly with a right hand
and Reach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bashorov tests Reach's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bashorov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Reach looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnny Reach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Reach pinned against the cage. Reach gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An attempted straight right counter from Reach misses the target.
Bashorov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Reach steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Bashorov staying out of range there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reach throws a hook to the side of Bashorov's head but Bashorov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reach walks into a straight right hand from Bashorov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reach is just out of range.
Bashorov lands a jab to Reach's midsection.
Reach walks into a jab.
Reach throws a lazy right hand but Bashorov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bashorov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reach.
Reach swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bashorov.
Reach takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Reach moves out of range.
Bashorov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Reach on the side of the head.
Reach is looking to clinch.
Karim Bashorov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov connects with a single shot there.
Bashorov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Reach with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reach defending well as Bashorov loads up on a big left hand.
Bashorov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reach.
Reach misses with a hook.
Reach takes one to the chin there.
A big right from Reach misses.
Reach takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Reach misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bashorov works the jab nicely.
Reach ducks under a wild hook from Bashorov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karim Bashorov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bashorov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karim Bashorov!
A very excited looking Karim Bashorov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.