PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Craig Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Solovyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carter comes into the arena with Swedish House Mafia - One (Your Name) blaring out of the sound system. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Carter
vs
Solovyev

162 cm
25
144 lbs
15 - 3 - 1

171 cm
23
157 lbs
11 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Carter!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Vladimir Solovyev!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Solovyev closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Carter counter with a right hand.
Carter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Carter tries to land a body kick
and Solovyev counters with a nice low kick that buckles Carter's knee momentarily.
A telegraphed right hand from Solovyev misses the target.
Carter throws a lazy uppercut
and Solovyev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Carter thinking.
Solovyev misses the shot to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Solovyev blocks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Carter tenderised Solovyev's leg. Solovyev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Solovyev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Solovyev misses with a leg kick
and Carter counters with a thumping low kick.
Solovyev checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter throws a lazy uppercut
and Solovyev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Carter loads up on a big right hand but Solovyev slips the punch.
An inside leg kick from Carter misses.
Solovyev throws a leg kick
enabling Carter to counter with a crisp jab.
Carter stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Solovyev.
Solovyev throws a leg kick but Carter moved away.
Carter misses with a left hand
and Solovyev counters with a good low kick that Carter was not able to check.
Carter feints and then cracks Solovyev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Solovyev down.
Carter with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Carter throws out a leg kick but Solovyev moves out of range and Carter only half commits.
Solovyev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Carter cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Solovyev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Solovyev misses
and Carter counters with a nice low kick that buckles Solovyev's knee momentarily.
Solovyev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Carter cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Solovyev throws a jab when Carter was well out of range.
Solovyev just misses with a punch to the body.
Carter throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Vladimir Solovyev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carter has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Solovyev.
Solovyev tries a head kick but it misses.
Solovyev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Carter rather than just go for the knockout.
Solovyev connects with a single shot there.
Solovyev fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Carter is out of range.
Solovyev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Solovyev moves in looking to clinch but Carter pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter misses with a takedown attempt - Solovyev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A low kick from Solovyev misses

and Carter counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Carter trying to control but Solovyev is working from the bottom.
Carter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Solovyev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Carter stays in close to Solovyev's body and controls the position.
Solovyev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Carter looking to sit in guard and control but Solovyev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Carter 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.
Carter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Solovyev wants to get up but he can't break Carter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Carter trying to control the position here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Carter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Solovyev takes a swing at Carter's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Craig Carter will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Solovyev closes the distance and clinches.
Carter pushes off an throws an elbow but Solovyev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Solovyev gets through Carter's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Carter goes for a takedown in the clinch but Solovyev prevents it.

Carter gets control of Solovyev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Carter will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Solovyev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Solovyev tries to free his leg and advance position but Carter is retaining full guard.

Solovyev stands up from Carter's guard - Solovyev perhaps looking for a knockout.
Carter scoring well with a low kick there.
Carter throws a poor cross that misses
and Solovyev counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter throws a hook to the side of Solovyev's head but Solovyev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Carter swats away the attempt to clinch by Solovyev.
Carter throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Solovyev counters with a nice body shot.
Carter finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Solovyev defending well as Carter loads up on a big left hand.
Solovyev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good leg kick by Solovyev there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Solovyev misses with a body shot
and Carter counters with a nice uppercut.
Carter scores with a jab to the head.
Solovyev tries to clinch
and Carter counters with a straight right hand.
Solovyev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Carter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Carter misses with a leg kick
and Solovyev counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Solovyev scoring well with a low kick there.
Carter tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Solovyev throws a leg kick
and Carter counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Solovyev is looking to clinch.
Solovyev misses with a leg kick
and Carter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Solovyev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Carter is out of range and Solovyev settles back down.
Carter cracks Solovyev with a good jab.
Solovyev throws a leg kick
and Carter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A solid leg kick lands there for Solovyev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Solovyev moves away.
Solovyev swings widly with a right hand
and Carter counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Solovyev thinking.
That kick from Carter tenderised Solovyev's leg. Solovyev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Carter lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Solovyev swings away with a body shot that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Solovyev connects with a jab.
Carter throws a right hand that Solovyev ducks under and follows up with a left that Solovyev also avoids with ease.
Solovyev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Carter connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Carter throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Solovyev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Carter counters with a nice low kick that buckles Solovyev's knee momentarily.
Solovyev throws a leg kick
and Carter counters with a nice low kick that buckles Solovyev's knee momentarily.
Solovyev lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev misses with a low kick.
Solovyev blocks a head kick by Carter.
Vladimir Solovyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Carter misses with a body shot.
Carter is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Carter motions for Solovyev to come forward. Carter throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Carter scores with a leg kick.
Carter keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Solovyev.
Solovyev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Carter counters with a nice leg kick.
Craig Carter is winning the standup battle so far.
Carter stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Solovyev.
Solovyev stuns Carter with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Carter throws a body kick the misses
and Solovyev counters with a thumping low kick.
Carter misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Craig Carter will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Solovyev scores with the left hand. Carter knows he should have avoided that one.
Solovyev moves to clinch but Carter breaks away
and Carter counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That kick from Carter tenderised Solovyev's leg. Solovyev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Solovyev blocks the body kick.
Solovyev looks to clinch
and Carter counters with a nice leg kick.
Carter shoots in looking for a takedown but Solovyev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Carter's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Solovyev swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Carter counters with a slapping leg kick.
Solovyev gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Carter counters with a nice double leg into side control. Solovyev won't be happy with that.
Carter is looking to take a break and control but Solovyev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Solovyev prevents Carter from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Solovyev keeps working.
Carter tries to advance to mount but Solovyev denies him.
Solovyev wants to get back to his feet but Carter drags him back down.
Carter is looking to take a break and control but Solovyev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Solovyev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Carter has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Solovyev is not content to let Carter control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Carter wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Carter finds it's way through Solovyev's defenses.
Carter misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Craig Carter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Solovyev scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice body kick from Solovyev.
Solovyev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Solovyev checks the leg kick.
Solovyev connects with a nice looking jab.
Carter checks a leg kick.

Solovyev closes the distance and clinches.
Solovyev tries a body shot but Carter blocks it.

Carter pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Solovyev is looking to clinch but Carter is avoiding it.
Carter misses with a hook
and Solovyev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Carter pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter throws a lazy uppercut
and Solovyev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Carter throws a leg kick that is checked
and Solovyev counters with a thumping low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Solovyev.
Solovyev moves away from the strike by Carter.
A bone on bone clash there as Solovyev blocks the leg kick.
Solovyev lands a nice hook to Carter's body. Carter takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A low kick from Solovyev is predictable there
and Carter counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Solovyev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Solovyev throws a right hand that misses
and Carter counters with a nice uppercut.
Solovyev blocks the body kick.
Carter avoids the body shot from Solovyev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Carter clearly takes that round.
That's time! Carter's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Solovyev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Solovyev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Carter.
Solovyev misses with a body shot
and Carter counters with a nice leg kick.
Carter connects with a right hand. Solovyev shakes it off.
Solovyev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Carter cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Solovyev wants to clinch

and Carter counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Carter is taking a breather. Solovyev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Solovyev is staying active underneath Carter, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Craig Carter just wasn't active enough.
Carter throws a leg kick
and Solovyev counters with a nice leg kick.
Solovyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Solovyev lands with a thumping leg kick.
Solovyev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Solovyev connects with a single shot there.
Solovyev throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Carter swats away the attempt to clinch by Solovyev.
Carter throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Solovyev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Solovyev thows a leg kick but Carter checks it
and Carter counters with a good low kick that Solovyev was not able to check.
Carter finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Carter misses the jab.
Solovyev throws a sloppy body shot
and Carter counters with a nice low kick that buckles Solovyev's knee momentarily.
Carter scores with a jab. Solovyev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A low kick from Carter is predictable there
and Solovyev counters with a good low kick that Carter was not able to check.
Solovyev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Solovyev explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Carter counters with an inside leg kick.
Solovyev blocks the body kick.
Solovyev throws a head kick that misses
and Carter counters with a nice leg kick.
Carter closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Solovyev thows a leg kick but Carter checks it
and Carter counters with a good low kick that Solovyev was not able to check.
Solovyev is looking to clinch.
Solovyev darts in trying to clinch
letting Carter counter with a right hand.
Solovyev has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Solovyev digs a good hook to Carter's body.
Carter fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Solovyev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter throws a leg kick that is checked

and Solovyev moves into the clinch.
Carter throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Solovyevs head.
Solovyev digs a right hand into Carter's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Carter's gas tank.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Solovyev cracks Carter with a nice body shot.
Solovyev'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.
Solovyev scores with a shoulder strike.
Solovyev blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Carter breaks the clinch.
Carter lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Carter checks a leg kick nicely.
Solovyev slips a jab from Carter.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Carter misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Carter had his way with Vladimir Solovyev in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Solovyev takes a swing at Carter's ribcage but misses.
A low kick from Solovyev is predictable there
and Carter counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice inside leg kick there by Carter. That's going to slow Solovyev down.
Carter checks a leg kick.
Carter throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Solovyev to counter with a crisp jab.
Carter throws a left and a right that both miss
and Solovyev counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Solovyev blocks a leg kick.
Solovyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solovyev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Carter sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Solovyev lands a body shot.
A nice combination there by Solovyev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solovyev misses with a wild body shot.
Carter lands with a nice body punch.
Carter throws a leg kick
and Solovyev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Carter keeps Solovyev at a distance using the push kick.
A good leg kick by Carter.
Carter sizes up Solovyev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Solovyev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Carter. Carter obviously looking to wear him down.
Solovyev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Carter throws a leg kick but Solovyev sees it coming and moves out of range.
A head kick by Carter misses
and Solovyev counters with an inside leg kick.
Carter misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter lands a leg kick that knocks Solovyev off balance momentarily.
Solovyev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Solovyev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Solovyev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Carter counters with a thumping low kick.
Carter misses with a low kick.
Vladimir Solovyev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carter takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Solovyev lands a front kick.
Carter comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Solovyev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Carter looks to land a combination. Solovyev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Solovyev wants to clinch
and Carter counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Carter counters with a nice body shot.
A slow jab from Carter misses its intended target.
Solovyev blocks a low kick nicely.
Carter scores with a jab. Solovyev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Craig Carter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Solovyev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Solovyev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Carter counters with a good, hard body kick but Solovyev shrugs it off.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Carter, as that shot connected.
Carter takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Solovyev clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter misses with an elbow over the top.
Carter throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Solovyevs head.
Solovyev digs a right hand into Carter's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Carter's gas tank.
Carter fails to pull guard.
Solovyev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Carter's elbow.
Solovyev lands a nice uppercut.
Carter blocks an uppercut.
Solovyev gets through Carter's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Solovyev.
Carter looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Solovyev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Solovyev blocks an elbow strike.
Carter throws an elbow that misses.
Solovyev misses with a body punch.
Solovyev struggles to land a body shot inside as Carter controls his hands.
Carter prevents a body shot from Solovyev.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Solovyev.
Solovyev can't find room to land a body shot as Carter controls the action.
Solovyev digs a right hand into Carter's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Carter's gas tank.
Carter lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Vladimir Solovyev has been cut.
Solovyev scores with a shoulder strike.
Carter fails to pull guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vladimir Solovyev.
I think Carter has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Carter!
Craig Carter retains his featherweight title!