PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Chernokov (ranked 526 p4p, 63 weight class) and Teodors Ozolinsh (ranked 294 p4p, 38 weight class). Chernokov comes to the cage accompanied by Disaster strikes - Mushroom cloud. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Chernokov
vs
Ozolinsh

174 cm
33
165 lbs
23 - 15 - 2

178 cm
31
159 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Chernokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teodors Ozolinsh!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ozolinsh ducks under a wild hook from Chernokov.

Chernokov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Chernokov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ozolinsh doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Chernokov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chernokov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ozolinsh has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chernokov is working away from the top position though.
Chernokov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernokov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chernokov slips a nice elbow through Ozolinsh's hands, connecting with Ozolinsh's forehead.

Chernokov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ozolinsh is just riding it out for now. Chernokov eventually gives up the hold.
Ozolinsh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Chernokov.
Chernokov throwing shots but Ozolinsh is blocking nicely.
Chernokov is trying to control the action in half guard but Ozolinsh is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ozolinsh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Chernokov.
Ozolinsh is positioning himself well to prevent Chernokov advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nice strikes from Chernokov there.
Chernokov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Chernokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Chernokov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ozolinsh keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chernokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Chernokov trying to mount his opponent but Ozolinsh defends it.
Chernokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov prevents Ozolinsh from improving his position.
Chernokov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ozolinsh defending well though.
Chernokov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ozolinsh's head.
Ozolinsh on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ozolinsh has hold of Chernokov's hands but Chernokov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ozolinsh on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ozolinsh is trying to get back to full guard.
Ozolinsh regains full guard. Nicely done.
Chernokov throwing strikes from guard but Ozolinsh blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov wants to pass the guard but Ozolinsh is keeping the position.
Chernokov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Chernokov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ozolinsh's head.
Chernokov is looking to work some ground and pound but Ozolinsh has wrist control.
Chernokov postures up in Ozolinsh's guard and throws a big left but Ozolinsh blocks it.
Ozolinsh looking for a sweep. Not yet Ozolinsh, not yet.
Chernokov cracks Ozolinsh with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chernokov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ozolinsh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chernokov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Chernokov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Chernokov looks to land a combination but Ozolinsh avoids it well.
Ozolinsh attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ozolinsh takes a swing at Chernokov's ribcage but misses.
Ozolinsh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chernokov moves away.
Ozolinsh avoids the body shot from Chernokov.
Chernokov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ozolinsh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Chernokov throws a body punch but Ozolinsh moves out of range.
Ozolinsh throws out a counter right but Chernokov avoids it with no problem.
Chernokov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chernokov thuds his right hand into Ozolinsh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Chernokov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ozolinsh can do to turn this around?
Chernokov tries to clinch up but Ozolinsh circles away and keeps his distance.
Chernokov throws a body punch but Ozolinsh moves out of range.
Chernokov swings widly with a right hand
and Ozolinsh counters with a thumping low kick.
Chernokov lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernokov misses with a left hand
and Ozolinsh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ozolinsh thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ozolinsh jabs Chernokov right on the nose. Chernokov blinks but takes it well.
Teodors Ozolinsh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ozolinsh slips a straight right by Chernokov.
Nice cross by Chernokov.
Ozolinsh changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Ozolinsh misses.
Ozolinsh takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The fighters circling - Ozolinsh throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Chernokov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ozolinsh looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Chernokov misses with an uppercut.
Chernokov misses the body punch
and Ozolinsh counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chernokov tries to move into range but Ozolinsh moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Chernokov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ozolinsh.
Alexei Chernokov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chernokov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Chernokov misses with a wild body shot.
Chernokov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ozolinsh throws a jab when Chernokov was well out of range.
Ozolinsh scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ozolinsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ozolinsh. That's going to slow Chernokov down.
Ozolinsh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chernokov.
Ozolinsh doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ozolinsh misses with a low kick.
Ozolinsh swats away the attempt to clinch by Chernokov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozolinsh lands a lovely overhand right.
Chernokov with a nice cross.
Ozolinsh fails to land with a series of punches.
Chernokov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ozolinsh walks into a straight right hand from Chernokov.
Chernokov fails with a takedown attempt.
Chernokov misses the shot to the body.
Ozolinsh blocks a jab.
It seemed like Ozolinsh was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ozolinsh. Chernokov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ozolinsh misses with a wild body shot.
Ozolinsh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Chernokov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ozolinsh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov throws a series of punches but Ozolinsh moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Chernokov.
Chernokov throws a hook to the side of Ozolinsh's head but Ozolinsh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ozolinsh ducks right into an uppercut from Chernokov.
Ozolinsh thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chernokov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Chernokov misses with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ozolinsh fakes the leg kick and cracks Chernokov in the body.
Chernokov throws a jab but it's blocked by Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh misses with a low kick.
Ozolinsh throws out a loose jab but Chernokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ozolinsh slips under a jab.
Ozolinsh is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ozolinsh with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Teodors Ozolinsh will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Chernokov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Chernokov connects with a jab.
Chernokov wants to clinch up but Ozolinsh keeps it at a distance.
Chernokov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Ozolinsh to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Chernokov misses the target.
Ozolinsh misses with a straight left.
Teodors Ozolinsh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chernokov tests Ozolinsh's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ozolinsh throws a leg kick that misses.
Ozolinsh misses with a hook.
A good leg kick by Ozolinsh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ozolinsh is looking to clinch.
Chernokov throws a right and a left that Ozolinsh avoids nicely.
Chernokov avoids the body shot from Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernokov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ozolinsh slips a jab and a cross from Chernokov.
A good leg kick by Ozolinsh.
Chernokov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Chernokov is looking to clinch but Ozolinsh is avoiding it.
Ozolinsh feints a counter leg kick.
Ozolinsh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Chernokov.
Nice defenses there by Chernokov.
Chernokov misses with a hook. Ozolinsh ducked under it nicely.
Ozolinsh loads up on a big right hand but Chernokov slips the punch.
Chernokov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Chernokov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ozolinsh rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Chernokov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Alexei Chernokov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozolinsh pulls Chernokov in close to prevent any damage.
Ozolinsh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chernokov.
Chernokov throws a strike but Ozolinsh rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ozolinsh tries to free his leg and advance position but Chernokov is retaining full guard.
Chernokov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ozolinsh trying to hold on to Chernokov's head to control him but Chernokov postures up.
Chernokov winds up and cracks Ozolinsh with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Chernokov is stalling here. Ozolinsh is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Chernokov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ozolinsh has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov is trying to get back to half guard.
Ozolinsh just content to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Chernokov tries to buck Ozolinsh off but Ozolinsh is having none of it.
Chernokov wants to control but Ozolinsh postures up.
Chernokov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Chernokov is trying to control but Ozolinsh passes into side control!
Ozolinsh taking a breather here.
Chernokov struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alexei Chernokov.
I think Chernokov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexei Chernokov!
A very excited looking Alexei Chernokov 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.