PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hannu Karpo (ranked 737 p4p, 535 weight class) and Serhey Rishkinov (ranked 106 p4p, 81 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Karpo
vs
Rishkinov

186 cm
34
175
20 - 14 - 1

180 cm
32
169
28 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 20 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hannu Karpo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Serhey Rishkinov!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rishkinov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rishkinov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karpo.
Rishkinov scores with the left hand. Karpo knows he should have avoided that one.
Karpo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rishkinov to score with a decent uppercut.
Rishkinov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Karpo is out of range.
Rishkinov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Karpo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rishkinov.
Karpo throws a big counter combination but Rishkinov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rishkinov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Karpo is looking for a counter combo.
Serhey Rishkinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rishkinov works the jab nicely.
Rishkinov tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Karpo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Karpo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rishkinov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Rishkinov tenderised Karpo's leg. Karpo is trying to keep his angry face on.

Rishkinov shoots in and bounces Karpo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Karpo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karpo has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rishkinov has passed into side control.
Rishkinov trying to control the position but Karpo is working away.
Karpo gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Karpo is not content to let Rishkinov control the position.
Rishkinov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karpo trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rishkinov is looking for a kimura here.
Karpo moves into full guard.
Karpo keeping moving, preventing Rishkinov from controlling successfully.
Rishkinov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rishkinov trying to control but Karpo is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karpo is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karpo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Rishkinov is looking for a triangle here but Karpo uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Rishkinov is looking for a sweep.
Rishkinov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Karpo.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rishkinov is trying to work for a sweep but Karpo has mounted him!
Karpo is landing with some decent strikes but Rishkinov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rishkinov is working to get back to half guard.
Karpo with the ground and pound from mount.
Rishkinov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
We've been hearing that Karpo has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karpo controlling the pace for now.
Rishkinov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Karpo unloading with bombs!
Rishkinov regains half guard.
Rishkinov trying to control from the bottom.
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!
Karpo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rishkinov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Rishkinov.
Karpo is looking for a counter combo.
Rishkinov throws a hook but Karpo avoids it easily.
Rishkinov scores with a decent looking hook.
Rishkinov throws a wild body kick that Karpo sees coming a mile off.
Karpo is looking for a counter combo.
Karpo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karpo throws a head kick but Rishkinov moves out of range.
A shot to the body from Rishkinov misses
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Rishkinov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Karpo. That did some damage!
Karpo moves away from the strike by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov throws a sloppy body shot
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Rishkinov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Karpo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rishkinov. Karpo shrugs it off though.
Rishkinov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rishkinov tries a low kick but Karpo avoids it.
Rishkinov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Karpo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karpo throws a jab when Rishkinov was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Karpo. That did some damage!
Karpo misses with a straight right.
Rishkinov shoots in and drives through. Karpo sprawls well.
A jab lands there for Rishkinov.
Karpo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rishkinov throws a combination that misses
and Karpo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rishkinov.
It looked like Karpo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Karpo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rishkinov scores with a head kick.
Rishkinov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Karpo avoids the head kick by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov cracks Karpo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rishkinov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Karpo, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov throws the kick towards the body but Karpo avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Karpo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A big right from Rishkinov misses.
As Rishkinov looks to move away, Karpo throws a big counter combo but Rishkinov just gets out of the way.
Rishkinov fakes the leg kick and cracks Karpo in the body.
Karpo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Karpo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rishkinov to the mat! Rishkinov manages to get full guard.

Rishkinov working for submissions but it's allowed Karpo to get to half guard.
Karpo trying to control the action but Rishkinov is working from the bottom.
Hannu Karpo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rishkinov wants to improve his position but Karpo is controlling well.
Rishkinov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov wants to control but Karpo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rishkinov won't allow Karpo to pass to mount.
Rishkinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rishkinov is trying to maintain the position but Karpo is very close to passing his half guard.
Karpo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rishkinov tries to roll over but Karpo keeps him under control.
Rishkinov trying to control from the bottom.
Rishkinov is looking to improve his position.
Rishkinov wants to control but Karpo is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rishkinov wants to improve his position but Karpo is controlling well.

Rishkinov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Karpo trying to mount his opponent but Rishkinov defends it.
Well, if Karpo is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rishkinov connects with a nice looking jab.
Rishkinov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Karpo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Rishkinov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rishkinov.
Hannu Karpo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rishkinov cracks Karpo with an open hand slap.
Rishkinov throws a lazy head kick
and Karpo counters with a nice uppercut.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rishkinov.
Karpo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Karpo counters with a one-two to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Karpo counters with a one-two to the body.
Serhey Rishkinov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rishkinov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karpo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Karpo half committed to a counter leg kick.
Karpo just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov connects with the punch.
Rishkinov lands a jab to the head.
Jab from Rishkinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov moves away from the strike by Karpo.
Rishkinov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Karpo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rishkinov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Karpo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rishkinov throws a leg kick but Karpo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rishkinov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Karpo. That did some damage!
Rishkinov lands an overhand right.
Rishkinov punishes Karpo's body with a nice straight punch.
Rishkinov lands a body shot.
A low kick lands for Rishkinov.
Karpo avoids a kick to the body.
Rishkinov scoring well with a low kick there.
Rishkinov misses with a body kick.
Karpo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rishkinov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rishkinov shoots for a takedown but Karpo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Karpo is looking for a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nice defenses there by Karpo.
Karpo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Karpo avoids a kick to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Karpo there.

It looks like Serhey Rishkinov has been cut.
Rishkinov fakes the leg kick and cracks Karpo in the body.
Karpo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rishkinov finds it's way round the side to connect with Karpo's head.
Rishkinov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karpo misses with a looping left.
Karpo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rishkinov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Rishkinov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Karpo defends it nicely.
Karpo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Serhey Rishkinov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hannu Karpo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serhey Rishkinov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karpo wants to clinch.
Karpo moves out of range as Rishkinov throws a body kick.
Rishkinov throws a body kick that misses
and Karpo counters with a nice uppercut.
Karpo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rishkinov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Karpo.
Rishkinov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Karpo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rishkinov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rishkinov enables Karpo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rishkinov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rishkinov seems keen to control Karpo's posture.
Rishkinov working a defensive guard here.
Karpo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rishkinov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karpo trying to control the position from guard on top but Rishkinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karpo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rishkinov wants to sweep here but Karpo controlling him for the moment.
Rishkinov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Karpo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rishkinov trying to control from the bottom.
Karpo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Karpo drops an elbow to the side of Rishkinov's head.
Rishkinov wants to get back to full guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Serhey Rishkinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rishkinov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serhey Rishkinov!
A less than humble Serhey Rishkinov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.