PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitriy Kosarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrik Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kosarev
vs
Larsson

189 cm
25
190 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

200 cm
21
200 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dmitriy Kosarev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henrik Larsson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kosarev's waist but Kosarev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Larsson off to one side.
Larsson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Larsson has a takedown stuffed.
Dmitriy Kosarev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrik Larsson.
Larsson throws a head kick that misses.

Kosarev scores a takedown into full mount!
Kosarev tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kosarev landing strikes from the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson controls the position.
Kosarev controlling the pace for now.
Larsson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kosarev unloading with bombs!
Kosarev landing strikes from the mount and Larsson is in trouble!

Kosarev moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Larsson has worked his arm free - good work by Larsson!
A lull in the action here as Kosarev stalls from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larsson trying to control but Kosarev flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Kosarev not allowing Larsson to control his hands.

Kosarev is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kosarev is punishing Larsson with some ground and pound.
Larsson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kosarev lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kosarev controlling the pace for now.
Kosarev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Larsson for as long as he can get away with.
Larsson is trying to escape the mount.
Kosarev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kosarev landing strikes from the mount.
Larsson is squirming around, avoiding Kosarev's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Kosarev looking to finish Larsson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Larsson!
Kosarev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Larsson is looking to escape.
Kosarev prevents Larsson from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kosarev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Larsson is looking to escape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larsson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitriy Kosarev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larsson scores a takedown into full mount!
Larsson dominating with strikes here.
Larsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kosarev is looking to escape.
Kosarev throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Kosarev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Dmitriy Kosarev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Larsson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kosarev because Larsson loaded up on that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsson trying to control but Kosarev is having none of it.
Kosarev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kosarev is bucking up trying to escape but Larsson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kosarev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Larsson on the ground.
Kosarev tries to lock up and control but Larsson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Larsson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Kosarev has worked his arm free - good work by Kosarev!
Kosarev tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev is working hard here to advance position.
Kosarev struggling a bit here.
Larsson staying calm.
Larsson cracks Kosarev with a big right hand but Kosarev just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev is not content to let Larsson control the position.
Kosarev struggling a bit here.

Larsson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Larsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Larsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Larsson tries for a kimura but Kosarev is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Larsson decides to stand back up.
Larsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kosarev moves away.

Kosarev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Larsson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kosarev is in Larsson's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kosarev is looking to stand up but Larsson won't let him.
Kosarev with a nice head shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henrik Larsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Larsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kosarev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kosarev circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kosarev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Larsson is working an open guard so Kosarev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Larsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kosarev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Larsson tries to clinch there but Kosarev circles away.
Larsson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kosarev defends it nicely.
Kosarev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Larsson as he avoids it easily.
Dmitriy Kosarev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kosarev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Larsson is trying to stand.
Larsson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kosarev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kosarev breaks from Larsson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kosarev controlling the position easily from mount.
Kosarev trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larsson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kosarev breaks from Larsson's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosarev raining down hammerfists from mount.
Kosarev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Larsson is looking to escape.

Kosarev jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Larsson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Larsson and Kosarev has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Larsson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Larsson connects with a nice short shot to Kosarev's temple.

Larsson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Larsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kosarev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Larsson somewhat.
Kosarev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Larsson.
Henrik Larsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larsson tries to clinch but Kosarev moves away
and Kosarev counters with a series of strikes. Larsson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Larsson tries to clinch up

and Kosarev counters with a shoot takedown. Larsson fights it but they end up in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitriy Kosarev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kosarev 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitriy Kosarev!