PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Petrovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koreshkov comes into the arena with Linkin Park - One Step Closer blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Koreshkov
vs
Petrovich

170 cm
19
135 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Koreshkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Petrovich!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koreshkov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koreshkov as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Koreshkov as Petrovich shoots in.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koreshkov as he jumps to the side.
Andrey Koreshkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Petrovich.
Koreshkov connects with a high kick.
Koreshkov misses with a two punch combination.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koreshkov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Koreshkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Petrovich fails with the takedown.
Koreshkov punishes Petrovich's body with a nice straight punch.
Koreshkov throws a sloppy head kick and Petrovich moves out of range easily.
Koreshkov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Koreshkov throws a series of punches but Petrovich moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koreshkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Andrey Koreshkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov throws a sloppy head kick and Petrovich moves out of range easily.
Petrovich's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Koreshkov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Petrovich scrambles back to his feet.
Koreshkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Koreshkov scores with a three punch combo!
Petrovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koreshkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Koreshkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Koreshkov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Petrovich has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice uppercut lands for Koreshkov. That snapped Petrovich's head back.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Koreshkov. Petrovich shrugs it off though.
Koreshkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Petrovich fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Petrovich has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Petrovich avoids the head kick by Koreshkov.
Andrey Koreshkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koreshkov but Koreshkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Petrovich looks winded!
Koreshkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Koreshkov throws a series of strikes that have Petrovich backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koreshkov scoring well with a low kick there.
Koreshkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
A nice inside leg kick there by Koreshkov. That's going to slow Petrovich down.
Koreshkov connects with an inside leg kick.
Petrovich has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Petrovich blocks a head kick by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov misses with a body kick.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Koreshkov sprawls well. Koreshkov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Petrovich gets slowly back to his feet.
Koreshkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovich shoots in looking for a takedown but Koreshkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Petrovich's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Koreshkov lands a head kick!
Koreshkov throws a front kick that sends Petrovich stumbling back into the cage.
Koreshkov blocks the body kick.
Koreshkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Koreshkov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Koreshkov works over Petrovich's head and body with a nice combination.
Petrovich fails with a takedown attempt.
Petrovich is trying desperately to land a takedown but Koreshkov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Petrovich.
Koreshkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Koreshkov.
Petrovich takes one to the chin there.
Koreshkov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Petrovich blocks a head kick by Koreshkov.
Petrovich takes a kick to the side of the head.
Koreshkov throws a sloppy head kick and Petrovich moves out of range easily.
Petrovich tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Koreshkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koreshkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Petrovich throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slapping leg kick lands for Koreshkov.
Koreshkov tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Petrovich tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koreshkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Petrovich somewhat.
Petrovich is trying hard to land a takedown here. Koreshkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Petrovich is defended easily by Koreshkov.
Andrey Koreshkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Petrovich.
Koreshkov swinging wildly here.
Koreshkov connects with a body shot.
Koreshkov is looking to wear down Petrovich with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Koreshkov feints and then cracks Petrovich's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Petrovich down.
Koreshkov blocks a head kick by Petrovich.
Koreshkov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Petrovich's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Petrovich is breathing heavily.
Koreshkov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Andrey Koreshkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Petrovich is trying hard to land a takedown here. Koreshkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov works over Petrovich's head and body with a nice combination.
An inside leg kick lands from Koreshkov.
Koreshkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Koreshkov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Petrovich blocks a head kick by Koreshkov.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Petrovich might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Koreshkov has got the better of the exchanges.
Petrovich takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Koreshkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Petrovich.
Koreshkov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Petrovich will feel that in the morning.
A head kick from Koreshkov lands but Petrovich takes it in his stride.
Koreshkov stuffs the takedown.
Koreshkov punishes Petrovich's body with a nice straight punch.
Koreshkov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Petrovich on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck for Petrovich with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov scores with a one two! Petrovich had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Koreshkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Koreshkov lands a really nice looking cross but Petrovich seems unphased.
Koreshkov throws a series of strikes that have Petrovich backpedaling.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Petrovich is defended easily by Koreshkov.
Petrovich blocks a head kick by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov throws a front kick that sends Petrovich stumbling back into the cage.
A chopping leg kick lands by Koreshkov.
Petrovich has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrovich looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Koreshkov is fending him off so far but Petrovich persists. Nope, Koreshkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Koreshkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Koreshkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petrovich can do to turn this around?
A good leg kick by Koreshkov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Koreshkov, as that shot connected.
Koreshkov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Koreshkov lands a slapping body shot.

Petrovich has closed the distance and engaged Koreshkov in a clinch.

Petrovich is trying to trip Koreshkov. He has hold of a leg but Koreshkov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Petrovich persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Petrovich's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Petrovich throws a big right hand that misses.
Koreshkov wants to stand up but Petrovich is controlling him.
Petrovich trying to control but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Aleksander Petrovich has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Koreshkov dips to his left and cracks Petrovich with an uppercut!
Petrovich tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Koreshkov swivels and escapes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koreshkov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Koreshkov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Petrovich backs up against the cage.
Koreshkov misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Koreshkov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Koreshkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Petrovich dives in and grabs Koreshkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Koreshkov pushes down on Petrovich's head and hops out.
Andrey Koreshkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Koreshkov throws a sloppy head kick and Petrovich moves out of range easily.
Petrovich avoids the head kick by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Koreshkov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Koreshkov.
Nice takedown defense from Koreshkov. No joy for Petrovich on that attempt.
A combination from Koreshkov does no damage.
Koreshkov stuffs the takedown attempt from Petrovich. Petrovich gets slowly back to his feet.
Andrey Koreshkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Petrovich.
Koreshkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Petrovich takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Koreshkov scores with a nice strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrovich avoids the head kick by Koreshkov.

Petrovich shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Koreshkov's guard.
Petrovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Koreshkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Petrovich is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Koreshkov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Koreshkov has escaped and now he's on top!
Koreshkov wants to stand but Petrovich has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrovich had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Koreshkov defends it easily.
Koreshkov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Petrovich is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Petrovich trying to control the position from guard on top but Koreshkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petrovich is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Petrovich throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrovich trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Petrovich pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koreshkov is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aleksander Petrovich.
Petrovich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koreshkov but Koreshkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Koreshkov scores with a one two! Petrovich had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Petrovich fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Petrovich takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Koreshkov scores with a head kick. Petrovich tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Aleksander Petrovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrey Koreshkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Koreshkov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

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 Andrey Koreshkov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Koreshkov, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Koreshkov!
A victorious Andrey Koreshkov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.