PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akara Kongsangchai (ranked 1347 p4p, 1390 weight class) and Motshan Bogachev (ranked 179 p4p, 187 weight class). 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.

Kongsangchai
vs
Bogachev

169 cm
34
155
17 - 22 - 0

181 cm
28
161
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Akara Kongsangchai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Motshan Bogachev!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kongsangchai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bogachev.
Bogachev tries a head kick but it misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bogachev throws a shot to the body.
Akara Kongsangchai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bogachev sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Kongsangchai to the ground! Bogachev dives into full mount looking to finish!

Kongsangchai is rocked!

It looks like Akara Kongsangchai has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kongsangchai wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Oh Kongsangchai is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bogachev throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bogachev sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Kongsangchai seems to have got his legs back now.
Bogachev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kongsangchai is looking to escape.
Kongsangchai's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bogachev thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kongsangchai wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bogachev.
Bogachev looking to control and managing it successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kongsangchai wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Bogachev looking to ground and pound but Kongsangchai is blocking nicely.
Kongsangchai wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bogachev.
Bogachev won't let Kongsangchai get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Kongsangchai might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bogachev sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Kongsangchai wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev controlling his opponent.
Kongsangchai blocking the ground and pound.
Bogachev controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kongsangchai wants to try and get back to his feet.
Bogachev throws some wild stikes that Kongsangchai manages to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A nice elbow there by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai trying desperately to get to his feet.
Bogachev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kongsangchai can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kongsangchai's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bogachev lands with some strikes.
Bogachev trying to control but Kongsangchai is having none of it.
You get the feeling that Kongsangchai really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Motshan Bogachev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akara Kongsangchai's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bogachev misses the shot to the body.
Bogachev swats away the attempt to clinch by Kongsangchai.
Bogachev let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nice shot lands for Bogachev.
Kongsangchai on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kongsangchai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bogachev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kongsangchai ducks under a wild hook from Bogachev.
Bogachev throws an overhand right that lands on Kongsangchai's shoulder, as Kongsangchai tries to avoid the shot.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Bogachev and Kongsangchai goes tumbling to the canvas! Bogachev follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bogachev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kongsangchai has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bogachev is on him like a limpet, forcing Kongsangchai back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Bogachev.
Bogachev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kongsangchai blocks it with crossed arms.
Bogachev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bogachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bogachev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kongsangchai lands with a short shot to the head.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Bogachev.
Bogachev lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kongsangchai.
Bogachev blocking some punches.
Kongsangchai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bogachev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kongsangchai lands a knee to the head.
Bogachev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kongsangchai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kongsangchai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bogachev misses with the head strike.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with an uppercut but Bogachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kongsangchai lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kongsangchai lands an elbow that stopped Bogachev in his tracks for a moment.
Still in the clinch, Bogachev scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice body punch from Bogachev - that landed with a thud.
Bogachev misses with a knee strike.
Bogachev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kongsangchai lands with a left to the head.
Bogachev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kongsangchai lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev blocking some punches.
Bogachev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kongsangchai lands a nice uppercut.
Bogachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Kongsangchai controls his hands.
Kongsangchai lands a hook that snaps the head of Bogachev backwards.
Bogachev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kongsangchai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bogachev lands with a short shot to the head.
Bogachev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kongsangchai lands a hook that snaps the head of Bogachev backwards.
Kongsangchai lands an elbow inside.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bogachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kongsangchai throws an elbow but misses.
Bogachev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Bogachev lands a shot to the body.
Bogachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Kongsangchai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bogachev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bogachev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Akara Kongsangchai has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bogachev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bogachev lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Bogachev with a knee to the head.
A short right from Bogachev on the inside.
Bogachev misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Bogachev tries a knee to the head but Kongsangchai blocks it.
Bogachev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short right from Bogachev on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bogachev.
Kongsangchai scores with a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Kongsangchai throws a head punch that misses.
Bogachev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bogachev lands a knee to the head.
Bogachev is breathing heavily.
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!
Bogachev takes a shot to the head.
Kongsangchai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kongsangchai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bogachev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bogachev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev misses with the head strike.
Bogachev misses with a knee strike.
A right hand to the body from Bogachev.
Bogachev throws a head punch that misses.
Kongsangchai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A shot in the inside from Bogachev.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Bogachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Kongsangchai controls his hands.
A knee to the head by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai pushes Bogachev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kongsangchai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kongsangchai blocking some punches.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Bogachev.
Bogachev lands with a short shot to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kongsangchai lands a right hand.
Bogachev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kongsangchai misses with some punches.
Kongsangchai working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Bogachev.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Motshan Bogachev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Akara Kongsangchai's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Bogachev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bogachev lands a head kick!
Kongsangchai blocks a head kick by Bogachev.
Bogachev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kongsangchai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bogachev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai scores with a jab to the head.
Bogachev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bogachev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bogachev duly obliges.

Kongsangchai clinches up with Bogachev and pushes him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bogachev blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bogachev.
Bogachev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kongsangchai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bogachev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kongsangchai lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bogachev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kongsangchai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kongsangchai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bogachev backwards.
Kongsangchai prevents a body shot from Bogachev.
Bogachev working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kongsangchai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bogachev's elbow.
Bogachev misses with a knee strike.
Bogachev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bogachev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right from Bogachev.
Kongsangchai lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bogachev or not.
Kongsangchai has a couple of punches blocked by Bogachev.
Bogachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bogachev takes an elbow to the temple.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Bogachev misses with a knee to the head.
Bogachev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kongsangchai blocks a body shot from Bogachev.
Kongsangchai lands with a light punch inside.
Kongsangchai gets through Bogachev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bogachev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bogachev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bogachev avoids the elbow strike from Kongsangchai, against the cage.
Bogachev throws a head punch that misses.
Bogachev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bogachev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bogachev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Bogachev fails to land.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Bogachev.
Bogachev misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Bogachev.
A short uppercut from Kongsangchai.
Bogachev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bogachev.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
Bogachev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bogachev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kongsangchai backwards.
Kongsangchai gets through Bogachev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kongsangchai fails to land.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai lands an uppercut.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Bogachev.
Kongsangchai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bogachev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bogachev throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev scores with a shot to the side of Kongsangchai's head.
Kongsangchai blocks a body shot from Bogachev.
Kongsangchai misses with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Bogachev fails to land.
Bogachev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bogachev looking to throw knees to the head but Kongsangchai is blocking nicely.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bogachev.
Kongsangchai blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Bogachev.
Bogachev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Motshan Bogachev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kongsangchai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kongsangchai lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kongsangchai misses with the head strike.
Kongsangchai pushes off an throws an elbow but Bogachev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kongsangchai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bogachev backwards.
Kongsangchai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai throws a punch but it's blocked by Bogachev.
Bogachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bogachev looking to throw knees to the head but Kongsangchai is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kongsangchai.
Akara Kongsangchai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Knees to the body from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kongsangchai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bogachev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bogachev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bogachev misses with the head strike.

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 Akara Kongsangchai.
I think Bogachev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Motshan Bogachev!
During a confident post fight interview, Motshan Bogachev thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.