PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thorvald Espensen (ranked 2775 p4p, 315 weight class) and Sergey Kostrov (ranked 2147 p4p, 259 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Espensen
vs
Kostrov

177 cm
21
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thorvald Espensen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kostrov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kostrov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Espensen moves out of range as Kostrov strikes.
Espensen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kostrov throws a shot to the body.
Kostrov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Espensen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Espensen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kostrov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kostrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Espensen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Espensen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kostrov just manages to avoid it.
Kostrov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Espensen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kostrov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kostrov scores with a jab. Espensen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kostrov wants to slow Espensen down by chopping away at his legs.
Kostrov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Espensen throws a big counter combination but Kostrov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Espensen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostrov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kostrov wants to slow Espensen down by chopping away at his legs.
Espensen slips a jab from Kostrov.
Kostrov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kostrov lands a slapping body shot.
Kostrov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Espensen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Espensen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Espensen throws a sloppy head kick and Kostrov moves out of range easily.
Espensen ducks under a wild hook from Kostrov.
Kostrov with a jab.
Espensen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kostrov's sensitive parts.
Kostrov lands with a good body shot.
Kostrov throws a poor cross that misses
and Espensen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kostrov's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kostrov throws a lazy uppercut
and Espensen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kostrov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kostrov throws a leg kick that is checked

and Espensen counters by moving into the clinch.

Espensen breaks from the clinch.
Espensen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostrov.
Kostrov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Espensen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kostrov misses with a leg kick
and Espensen counters with a one-two to the body.
Kostrov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kostrov throws a jab but it's blocked by Espensen.
Kostrov misses with a low kick.
Espensen is looking to counter the offense by Kostrov and move into the clinch.
Espensen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kostrov throws out the jab.
Kostrov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Espensen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Espensen tries to counter by clinching up but Kostrov breaks away and moves out of range.
Kostrov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Espensen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espensen checks the leg kick.
Espensen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kostrov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kostrov misses with a kick to the body.
Espensen tried to counter with a leg kick but Kostrov avoided it.
Kostrov throws the left hand but Espensen avoids the punch easily.
Kostrov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Espensen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kostrov misses with a looping left.
Kostrov throws a jab when Espensen was well out of range.
Espensen is looking to counter the offense by Kostrov and move into the clinch.
Kostrov is looking to chop away at Espensen's legs.
Kostrov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Espensen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kostrov looks for the body kick but Espensen saw that one coming.
Sergey Kostrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Espensen moves away from the strike by Kostrov.
Espensen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kostrov.
Espensen fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kostrov just manages to avoid it.
Kostrov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Espensen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kostrov thows a leg kick but Espensen checks it
and Espensen counters with a three punch combo that has Kostrov backing up. Kostrov nods at Espensen to acknowledge the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Espensen. Kostrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kostrov misses with a looping right.
Espensen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostrov.
Espensen is looking to counter the offense by Kostrov and move into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Kostrov.
Espensen tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kostrov manages to circle out of the way.
Kostrov throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Espensen misses with a low kick.
Kostrov throws out a counter right but Espensen avoids it with no problem.
Kostrov misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kostrov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kostrov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kostrov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kostrov connects with a leg kick. Espensen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kostrov throws an overhand right that lands on Espensen's shoulder, as Espensen tries to avoid the shot.
Espensen is looking for a counter combo.
Espensen blocks a head kick by Kostrov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A big right from Kostrov misses.
Espensen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kostrov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kostrov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kostrov lands a high kick!
Kostrov misses with a leg kick
and Espensen counters with a good low kick that Kostrov was not able to check.
Kostrov throws out a leg kick but Espensen moves out of range and Kostrov only half commits.
Espensen throws a quick counter head kick but Kostrov was just out of range.
Kostrov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Espensen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kostrov.
Espensen is looking for a counter combo.
Kostrov throws a lazy right hand but Espensen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Espensen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kostrov misses with a double jab
and Espensen counters with a left and a right that stings Kostrov.
Kostrov misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kostrov.
Kostrov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Espensen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Kostrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kostrov tries to land a body kick
and Espensen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A slow jab from Kostrov misses its intended target.
Kostrov throws a low kick but Espensen moves out of range easily.
Kostrov motions for Espensen to come forward. Kostrov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kostrov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kostrov thows a leg kick but Espensen checks it
and Espensen counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kostrov misses with a low kick.
Kostrov misses with a hook.
Espensen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kostrov misses with an uppercut.
Kostrov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Espensen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Espensen. That did some damage!
Espensen moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostrov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Espensen misses with a hook to the body
and Kostrov counters with a stiff right hand.
Espensen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kostrov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Espensen scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kostrov thows a leg kick but Espensen checks it
and Espensen counters with a three punch combo that has Kostrov backing up. Kostrov nods at Espensen to acknowledge the strikes.
Kostrov throws a low kick, looking for Espensen's leg but Espensen calmly moves out of range.
Espensen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Espensen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kostrov wants to land a leg kick but Espensen is out of range.
Kostrov scores with a punch to the head.
Kostrov looks to land a body kick but Espensen moved away.
Espensen wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kostrov throws a sloppy head kick
and Espensen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Espensen is looking to wear down Kostrov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Espensen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kostrov.
Kostrov throws an off balance right hand
and Espensen counters with a left and a right that stings Kostrov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Kostrov misses the target.
Espensen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big left from Kostrov misses.
Kostrov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kostrov jabs Espensen right on the nose. Espensen blinks but takes it well.
Sergey Kostrov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kostrov misses with a low kick as Espensen jumps back.
Espensen tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kostrov manages to circle out of the way.
Kostrov misses with a low kick as Espensen jumps back.
No joy there for Kostrov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Espensen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kostrov is looking to chop away at Espensen's legs.
Kostrov misses with a hook.
Espensen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostrov.
Espensen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kostrov looks to throw the jab but Espensen is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Espensen slips a straight right by Kostrov.
The fighters circling - Kostrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Espensen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Espensen checks a low kick from Kostrov.
Espensen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Espensen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kostrov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Espensen.
Nice uppercut lands for Kostrov. That snapped Espensen's head back.
Espensen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A big left from Kostrov misses.
Kostrov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kostrov throws a leg kick but Espensen checks it.
Espensen appears to be looking for a big counter.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kostrov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kostrov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Espensen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kostrov misses with an uppercut. Espensen saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Kostrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kostrov wants to slow Espensen down by chopping away at his legs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kostrov 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 Espensen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Espensen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A lazy left from Kostrov finds it's target.
Kostrov throws a head kick but Espensen moves out of range.
Espensen slips a straight right by Kostrov.
Kostrov throws a sloppy head kick and Espensen moves out of range easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Espensen misses the target.
A telegraphed right hand from Kostrov misses the target.
Kostrov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A big right from Kostrov misses.
It looked like Espensen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kostrov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostrov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Espensen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Espensen.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Espensen as Kostrov tries to tie him up.

Espensen breaks from the clinch.
Espensen blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espensen checks a leg kick.
Kostrov looks to throw the jab but Espensen is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostrov. Espensen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kostrov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kostrov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kostrov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Good work by Espensen as he checks the leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostrov. Espensen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Espensen tried to counter with a leg kick but Kostrov avoided it.
Kostrov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Espensen ducks under a wild hook from Kostrov.
Kostrov throws a chopping leg kick but Espensen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Espensen feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Kostrov thows a body kick. Espensen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Thorvald Espensen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Espensen counter with a right hand.
Espensen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kostrov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kostrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kostrov misses with a lunging right hand

and Espensen counters by clinching up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Espensen digs a right hand into Kostrov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kostrov's gas tank.
Kostrov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Espensen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Espensen manages to break the clinch.
Kostrov wants to land a leg kick but Espensen is out of range.
Kostrov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Espensen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kostrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kostrov cracks Espensen with a good jab.
Kostrov motions for Espensen to come forward. Kostrov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Espensen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sergey Kostrov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Espensen tenderised Kostrov's leg. Kostrov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kostrov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Kostrov looks to move away, Espensen throws a big counter combo but Kostrov just gets out of the way.
Espensen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kostrov.
Espensen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Espensen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kostrov throws a nice looking combination but Espensen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kostrov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Espensen is out of range and Kostrov settles back down.
It looked like Espensen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Thorvald Espensen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kostrov connects with a solid leg kick.
Espensen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Espensen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kostrov.
It looked like Espensen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Espensen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kostrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Espensen.
Kostrov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Espensen's calf.
Kostrov throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kostrov.
A head kick by Espensen misses
letting Kostrov counter with a right hand.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kostrov.
Kostrov throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Espensen was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A bone on bone clash there as Kostrov blocks the leg kick.
Kostrov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kostrov throws a shot from downtown. Espensen moves away and avoids it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Espensen ducks right into an uppercut from Kostrov.
Kostrov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Espensen under the eye.
Espensen checks a low kick from Kostrov.
Espensen is looking for a counter combo.
Kostrov throws a hook but Espensen blocks it.
Espensen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Kostrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kostrov 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Sergey Kostrov!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Sergey Kostrov!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Sergey Kostrov!

Sergey Kostrov wins by unanimous decision!
Sergey Kostrov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.