PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Kostrov (ranked 1912 p4p, 249 weight class) and Narek Sirakanian (ranked 1137 p4p, 158 weight class). Sergey Kostrov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kostrov
vs
Sirakanian

170 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

182 cm
25
175 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kostrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Narek Sirakanian!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sirakanian works the jab nicely.

Kostrov closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kostrov.
Nice body punch from Sirakanian - that landed with a thud.
Kostrov blocking some punches.
Sirakanian pushes Kostrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sirakanian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sirakanian scores with a shot to the side of Kostrov's head.
Sirakanian doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sirakanian misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sirakanian scores with a shoulder strike.
Sirakanian misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kostrov tries to land a knee to the head but Sirakanian blocks with his arms.
Sirakanian lands with a light punch inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sirakanian lands a nice uppercut.
Sirakanian has a couple of punches blocked by Kostrov.

Sirakanian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sirakanian throws a body shot but no joy.
Sirakanian loads up on a big right hand but Kostrov slips the punch.
Sirakanian lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sirakanian throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirakanian looks to score with a jab to the body but Kostrov is just out of range.
Kostrov throws a lazy right hand but Sirakanian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Sirakanian was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kostrov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sirakanian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostrov.
Sirakanian connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kostrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sirakanian tries to bum rush Kostrov with a series of wild strikes but Kostrov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sergey Kostrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sirakanian cracks Kostrov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sirakanian misses with a straight left.
Kostrov throws the left hand but Sirakanian avoids the punch easily.
Sirakanian doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kostrov throws out a loose jab but Sirakanian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostrov lands a leg kick that knocks Sirakanian off balance momentarily.
Kostrov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A left lands for Sirakanian.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slow jab from Sirakanian misses its intended target.
Kostrov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Sirakanian.
Kostrov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kostrov throws a body shot but no joy.
Sirakanian throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kostrov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kostrov throws a right hand that Sirakanian ducks under and follows up with a left that Sirakanian also avoids with ease.
Sirakanian avoids the head kick by Kostrov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov misses with a few strikes there.
Sirakanian is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sirakanian looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sirakanian cracks the inside of Kostrov's front leg.
Kostrov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kostrov throws a head kick but Sirakanian moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Sirakanian checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sirakanian uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostrov.
Sirakanian is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kostrov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kostrov lands a nice shot that snaps Sirakanian's head back.
Sirakanian lands a glancing blow to the side of Kostrov's head.
Sirakanian thuds his right hand into Kostrov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sirakanian misses with an uppercut
and Kostrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Kostrov is predictable there
and Sirakanian counters with a stiff right hand.
Sirakanian throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sirakanian scores with a jab. Kostrov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kostrov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sirakanian throws a looping overhand right but Kostrov ducks down to avoid it.
Kostrov scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov missing with a left hand there. Sirakanian was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kostrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sirakanian throws out the jab.
Sirakanian attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kostrov throws out a loose jab but Sirakanian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostrov doesn't manage to clinch there - Sirakanian circles away.
Kostrov misses with a low kick.
Kostrov throws a leg kick but Sirakanian moved away.
A nice side step and Sirakanian releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kostrov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sirakanian lands a body shot.
Kostrov misses with a low kick.
Kostrov misses with a few strikes there.
A jab from Sirakanian misses.
Kostrov throws a head kick that misses.
Nice cross by Sirakanian.
Sirakanian fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kostrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sirakanian.
Sirakanian tries to counter by closing the distance.
Sirakanian defending well as Kostrov loads up on a big left hand.
Sirakanian scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sirakanian has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kostrov tries to move into range but Sirakanian moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sirakanian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostrov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian lunges at Kostrov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kostrov's hand.
Sirakanian throws a one two combo.
Sirakanian looks to land a left hand but Kostrov moved out of range nicely.
Sirakanian works Kostrov's body with a nice hook.
Kostrov misses with a looping left.
It seemed like Sirakanian was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sirakanian tests Kostrov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kostrov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sirakanian. Kostrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kostrov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sirakanian uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostrov.
A jab from Sirakanian does it's job there.
Kostrov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sirakanian lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kostrov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sirakanian is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sirakanian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kostrov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Sirakanian closes the distance and clinches.
Kostrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sirakanian swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narek Sirakanian dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sirakanian misses with a low kick.
Kostrov throws a leg kick
and Sirakanian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kostrov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A big left from Kostrov misses.
A slow jab from Kostrov misses its intended target.
Kostrov misses with a series of wild punches.
Sirakanian wants to counter the offense by Kostrov and move into the clinch position.
Kostrov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kostrov misses with a looping right.
Sirakanian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big right from Sirakanian misses.
Kostrov throws a looping overhand right but Sirakanian ducks down to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Sirakanian on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Kostrov clinches with his opponent.
Kostrov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sirakanian.
Kostrov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sirakanian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Narek Sirakanian seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kostrov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sirakanian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sirakanian avoiding damage as Kostrov throws knees to the body.
Sirakanian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kostrov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kostrov backwards.
Sirakanian misses with a hook from the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kostrov is looking to control Sirakanian's arms but Sirakanian gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kostrov has his back to the cage.
Kostrov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sirakanian tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kostrov's elbow.
Kostrov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sirakanian.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kostrov.
A short left from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian gets through Kostrov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sirakanian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kostrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kostrov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sirakanian lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kostrov backwards.
Sirakanian throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sirakanian blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kostrov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sirakanian has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sirakanian tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sirakanian lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian has a couple of punches blocked by Kostrov.
Sirakanian throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kostrovs head.
Sirakanian throws a punch but it's blocked by Kostrov.
Kostrov takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sirakanian.
Kostrov can't break the clinch.
Sirakanian can't find room to land a body shot as Kostrov controls the action.
Sirakanian throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kostrovs head.
Sirakanian misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kostrov tries a knee to the head but Sirakanian blocks it.
Sirakanian lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sirakanian scores with a shot to the side of Kostrov's head.
Sirakanian pushes Kostrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kostrov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sirakanian backwards.
Sirakanian lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kostrov tries a knee to the head but Sirakanian blocks it.
Sirakanian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sirakanian.
Still in the clinch, Sirakanian scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kostrov blocks an uppercut.
Sirakanian lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kostrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sirakanian is defending well for now.
Kostrov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sirakanian misses with an elbow over the top.
Kostrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Sirakanian fails to land.
Kostrov blocks a body shot from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian managing to block the knees to the body from Kostrov.
Sirakanian lands with a left to the head.
Kostrov missing with knees to the body.
Sirakanian working aggressively here.
Kostrov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Kostrov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kostrov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kostrov.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sirakanian lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kostrov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kostrov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kostrov misses with a low kick as Sirakanian jumps back.
Kostrov is looking to clinch.
Sirakanian lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kostrov at a distance.
Kostrov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kostrov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sirakanian fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kostrov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sirakanian throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sirakanian takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kostrov throws an overhand right that lands on Sirakanian's shoulder, as Sirakanian tries to avoid the shot.
Sirakanian throws a jab but it's blocked by Kostrov.
A slow jab from Sirakanian misses its intended target.
Kostrov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kostrov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kostrov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sirakanian lands a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kostrov scores with a head kick. Sirakanian tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sirakanian buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sirakanian misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narek Sirakanian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kostrov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kostrov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sirakanian scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kostrov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kostrov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sirakanian.
Kostrov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian throws a jab but it's blocked by Kostrov.
Kostrov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kostrov missing with a left hand there. Sirakanian was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sirakanian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kostrov.
Kostrov throws out a powerful jab.
Sirakanian misses with a looping right.
Narek Sirakanian seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kostrov throws a sloppy body shot
and Kostrov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kostrov takes a swing at Sirakanian's ribcage but misses.
Kostrov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lazy left from Sirakanian finds it's target.
Sirakanian connects with a nice looking jab.
Sirakanian checks a low kick from Kostrov.
Nice uppercut there from Sirakanian.
Kostrov 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.
Sirakanian misses with an uppercut.
Kostrov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sirakanian uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostrov.
Kostrov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sirakanian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fighters circling - Kostrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sirakanian just misses with a punch to the body.
Kostrov misses with a head kick.
Sirakanian slips under a jab.
Sirakanian punishes Kostrov's body with a nice straight punch.
Sirakanian lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kostrov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kostrov slips under a jab.
Kostrov is looking to slow Sirakanian down with leg kicks.
Sirakanian with a nice cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sirakanian throws the left hand but Kostrov avoids the punch easily.
Kostrov throws a lazy right hand but Sirakanian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sirakanian throws out a counter right but Kostrov avoids it with no problem.
Sirakanian getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sirakanian jabs Kostrov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sirakanian. Kostrov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kostrov misses with a head kick.
Sirakanian throws a hook to the side of Kostrov's head but Kostrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sirakanian dips to his left and cracks Kostrov with an uppercut!
Kostrov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kostrov there as he acknowledges the shot.

Kostrov tries to keep at a distance but Sirakanian has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kostrov connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Narek Sirakanian has been cut.
Sirakanian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sirakanian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kostrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Sirakanian.
Kostrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kostrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sirakanian scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Sirakanian scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sirakanian looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sergey Kostrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirakanian managing to block the knees to the body from Kostrov.
Sirakanian goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sirakanian swings wildly with an uppercut but Kostrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sirakanian working aggressively here.
Kostrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sirakanian swings wildly with an uppercut but Kostrov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sirakanian avoids it.
Kostrov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sirakanian lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sirakanian scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Narek Sirakanian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kostrov misses with a knee to the head.
Kostrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sirakanian is defending well for now.
Kostrov looking to stall.
Sirakanian lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sirakanian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Sirakanian.
Sirakanian throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kostrov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kostrov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sirakanian lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sirakanian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sirakanian lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kostrov backwards.
Kostrov misses with a knee strike.
Sirakanian lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kostrov.
Sirakanian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sirakanian doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sirakanian lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kostrov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sirakanian lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Sergey Kostrov has been cut.
Sirakanian lands with a light punch inside.
Kostrov looking to throw knees to the head but Sirakanian is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Narek Sirakanian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sirakanian 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Narek Sirakanian!
A very excited looking Narek Sirakanian 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.