PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karim Chamakh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Musta Surma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chamakh kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Robyn - Indestructible. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Chamakh
vs
Surma

168 cm
38
159 lbs
40 - 19 - 6

167 cm
35
152 lbs
25 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 19 - 6, fighting out of Helsinki, Karim Chamakh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Musta Surma!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Surma looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Surma rushes Chamakh and presses him up against the cage.
Surma tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chamakh avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Chamakh looking for a takedown.
Surma blocking some punches.
Chamakh is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Surma lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Karim Chamakh has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chamakh misses with a punch to the body.
Chamakh is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Chamakh can't find room to land a body shot as Surma controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Surma fails to land.
Chamakh is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Surma misses with an elbow strike.
Chamakh has Surma pushed against the cage.
Chamakh doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Surma misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chamakh.
Chamakh looking to stall.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Surma blocks an uppercut.
Chamakh avoiding damage.
Surma throws an elbow that misses.
Chamakh managing to block the knees to the body from Surma.
Surma lands an elbow that stopped Chamakh in his tracks for a moment.
Surma has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Chamakh seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Surma can turn it around.
A nice right hand lands inside from Surma.
Chamakh dodges an elbow strike from Surma.
Chamakh misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've been hearing reports that Chamakh has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh avoiding damage as Surma throws knees to the body.
Chamakh wants to take the fight to the mat but Surma manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Surma doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Surma looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Surma misses with a body punch.
Chamakh taking a breather.
Surma misses with some punches.
Chamakh takes a knee to the side of the body.
Surma tries to work over Chamakh's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Surma being controlled against the cage.
Chamakh tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karim Chamakh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Surma.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Surma gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Surma as Chamakh tries to tie him up.
Maybe Chamakh would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh stalling in the clinch but Surma improves position.
Chamakh looking for a takedown.
Surma lands a knee to the body.
Chamakh is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Surma is keeping busy.
Surma throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Chamakh blocks it with crossed arms.
Surma tries to land knees in the clinch but Chamakh avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Surma just misses with a elbow thrown towards Chamakh's brow.
Chamakh content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Surma blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chamakh is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Surma misses with an elbow over the top.
Surma lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Surma lands an elbow inside that Chamakh shrugs off.
Surma lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh is trying to stall.
Chamakh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Surma misses with a punch to the body.
Surma throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Surma pushes off an throws an elbow but Chamakh leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Chamakh makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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!
Surma gets underhooks to prevent Chamakh's takedown attempt.
Chamakh can't get the takedown.
Surma tries to work over Chamakh's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Chamakh is looking to take this one to the mat.
Surma throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Chamakh swings wildly with an uppercut but Surma uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chamakh tries to work over Surma's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Musta Surma dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Karim Chamakh's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Surma tries to clinch there but Chamakh circles away.
Surma tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chamakh manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Surma tries to clinch but Chamakh moves out of range.
As Surma tries to get set, Chamakh tries to push him back and clinch up but Surma manages to avoid the attempt.

Surma instigates a clinch.
Musta Surma seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Surma misses with an elbow over the top.
Surma pushes off an throws an elbow but Chamakh leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Chamakh avoids the elbow strike from Surma, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Surma blocks a body shot from Chamakh.
Chamakh avoids the elbow strike from Surma, against the cage.
Chamakh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chamakh avoids the elbow strike from Surma, against the cage.
Chamakh blocks a body shot from Surma.
Chamakh blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chamakh tries to work over Surma's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chamakh trying to control the position but instead, Surma has worked for underhooks and has pushed Chamakh into the cage.
Chamakh wants a takedown but no success here.
A short uppercut from Surma.
Chamakh is struggling to control the position.
Chamakh displaying some good clinch control by pressing Surma up against the cage.
Chamakh trying to stall but Surma improves his position.
Chamakh doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A shot in the inside from Surma.
Chamakh blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Surma has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Surma throws an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Surma.
Chamakh is working Surma over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Chamakh tries for a takedown but Surma manages to get underhooks.
A bit of stalling here from Chamakh.
Chamakh has Surma pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Surma manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karim Chamakh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Surma tries to throw a body punch but Chamakh avoids it by throwing Surma back against the cage.
Surma works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Chamakh is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Surma is keeping busy.
Chamakh fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Surma creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Surma lands a hook that snaps the head of Chamakh backwards.
Chamakh blocks a body shot from Surma.
Chamakh dodges an elbow strike from Surma.
Surma scores with a knee to the head.

Karim Chamakh's cut is getting worse.
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!
Chamakh looking to slow down the pace here.
Chamakh tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Surma looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Chamakh misses with a body punch.
Surma blocks a body shot from Chamakh.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Chamakh tries a body shot but Surma blocks it.
Chamakh misses with a body punch.
Chamakh misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chamakh looking to slow down the pace here.
Surma tries for a takedown but Chamakh manages to get underhooks.
Surma misses with a knee strike.
Chamakh is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Surma is keeping busy.
The referee calls for Chamakh to work.
Surma missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh prevents a body shot from Surma.
Surma gets underhooks to prevent Chamakh's takedown attempt.
Surma stops a takedown attempt from Chamakh.
Chamakh effectively controlling the action here.
Chamakh tries to work over Surma's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chamakh is looking for a takedown.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Surma as Chamakh tries to tie him up.
Chamakh avoids the elbow strike from Surma, against the cage.
Surma lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Chamakh holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Surma being controlled against the cage.
Chamakh gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Karim Chamakh.
Surma swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Chamakh decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Surma's guard.
Surma is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Musta Surma showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Karim Chamakh's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Surma throws a combination. Chamakh tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Surma fails with an attempt to clinch.

Surma has Chamakh up against the cage in a clinch.
Chamakh takes a knee to the side of the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chamakh blocks an elbow strike.
Chamakh swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Chamakh drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Surma gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Surma tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chamakh's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Surma.
Chamakh goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Surma prevents a body shot from Chamakh.
Surma throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Chamakh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Chamakh takes an elbow to the forehead.
Chamakh misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chamakh taking a breather.
Surma pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Surma working aggressively here.
Chamakh trying to stall but Surma improves his position.
Surma pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Surma tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Surma pushes Chamakh back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Chamakh is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chamakh avoiding damage as Surma throws knees to the body.
Chamakh blocks the elbow strike.
Chamakh stalls.
Chamakh takes a knee right on the jaw!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Surma just misses with a elbow thrown towards Chamakh's brow.
Chamakh slows down the pace here.
Chamakh blocks an elbow strike from Surma.
Surma misses with a knee strike.
Chamakh blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Surma tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chamakh avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Chamakh tightens his grip and picks Surma up, before dumping him to the ground. Surma manages to land in guard.
Chamakh postures up and lands a big shot to Surma's brow.
Surma looking for a sweep. Not yet Surma, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Surma is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Surma wants to sweep but no luck.
Chamakh has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Chamakh scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Chamakh stopping the sweep attempt from Surma.
Surma trying to keep a closed guard but Chamakh is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Surma bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Chamakh's head backwards.
Karim Chamakh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Musta Surma is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Musta Surma is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Surma will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Surma is looking to clinch but Chamakh is avoiding it.
Chamakh is looking to counter the offense by Surma and move into the clinch.
Surma swinging wildly here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Surma tries to clinch up but Chamakh circles away and keeps his distance.

Surma moves into range and clinches up with Chamakh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Musta Surma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Surma 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Musta Surma!
Musta Surma tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.