PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nogi Kartov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Miike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kartov
vs
Miike

165 cm
31
145 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

162 cm
27
141 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nogi Kartov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takeshi Miike!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miike punishes Kartov's body with a nice straight punch.
Miike throws a looping overhand right but Kartov ducks down to avoid it.
Takeshi Miike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miike feints and then cracks Kartov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kartov down.
Miike rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kartov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Miike working a defensive guard here.
Kartov trying to control but Miike is working from the bottom.
Miike working a defensive guard here.
Kartov prevents Miike from getting back to his feet.
Miike controls Kartov momentarily but Kartov frees himself.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Takeshi Miike wasn't active enough on the ground.
Miike lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kartov at a distance.
Miike dodges the punch combination from Kartov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kartov works over Miike's head and body with a nice combination.
Miike tries to bum rush Kartov with a series of wild strikes but Kartov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartov slips a straight right by Miike.
Miike lands with a right hand.
Miike takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kartov tries for a takedown but Miike sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kartov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Miike swings widly with a right hand
and Kartov counters with a left to the body.
Miike wants to land a leg kick but Kartov is out of range.
Miike looks to score with a jab to the body but Kartov is just out of range.
Miike stuffs the takedown.
Kartov checks a leg kick.
Miike throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kartov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kartov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Miike pinned against the cage. Miike gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nogi Kartov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miike throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kartov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Miike counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartov slips under a jab from Miike.
Miike misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miike shoots in looking for a takedown. Kartov tries to sprawl out of it but Miike keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kartov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kartov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Miike's half guard.

Miike kicks off Kartov and gets to his feet.
Miike takes a kick to the side of the head.

Kartov stands and steps away. Miike gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kartov moves out of range of the leg kick from Miike.
Kartov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nice takedown defense from Miike. No joy for Kartov on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov dodges the punch combination from Miike.
Kartov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Miike sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kartov somewhat.
Miike just misses with a punch to the body.
Miike throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kartov's waist but Kartov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Miike off to one side.
Miike changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kartov tries to avoid it but Miike manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kartov to the ground. Kartov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Miike defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kartov.
No luck for Kartov with that takedown attempt.

Miike tries to sprawl but Kartov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Miike tries to get to full guard but Kartov has control of the leg.

Miike kicks off Kartov and gets to his feet.
Miike throws a hook to the side of Kartov's head but Kartov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miike looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kartov defending well as Miike loads up on a big left hand.

Kartov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Miike to the ground. Kartov is now in Miike's guard.
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!
Miike is trying to keep Kartov in close.
Miike wants to get back to his feet but Kartov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kartov wants to stand but Miike has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Miike looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kartov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kartov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kartov misses with a takedown
and Miike counters with a left to the body.
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 Nogi Kartov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kartov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Miike avoids it really well and circles away.
Kartov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Miike as he jumps to the side.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Miike.
Kartov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Miike asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Miike is looking to take a break and control but Kartov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Miike stands up.
Kartov dives in and grabs Miike's left leg, looking for a takedown. Miike pushes down on Kartov's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nogi Kartov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miike slips a jab and a cross from Kartov.

Kartov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Miike tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kartov is in Miike's guard.
Miike wants to stand but Kartov is controlling the position.

Kartov gets to his feet - Miike follows without any prompting.
Kartov shoots in for a takedown but Miike shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kartov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Miike swivels and escapes.
Miike cracks the inside of Kartov's front leg.
Miike throws a poor cross that misses

and Kartov counters with a shoot takedown. Miike fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miike looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kartov is one step ahead there.
Kartov stops Miike from standing up.

Miike is looking for a triangle here but Kartov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miike tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Miike prevents Kartov from moving into mount.

Kartov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Miike to his feet.
Kartov stuffs the takedown attempt from Miike. Miike gets slowly back to his feet.
Kartov throws a shot to the body.
Miike lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Miike fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miike just misses with a punch to the body.
Miike swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miike takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Miike lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kartov circles away quickly and effectively.
Miike is breathing heavily.
Miike shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kartov defends it nicely.
Kartov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Miike counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kartov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Kartov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kartov wants to stand up but Miike has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Miike trying to control here.
Miike wants to control but Kartov passes into side.
Miike looks to move to half guard but instead Kartov has passed into mount! Damn!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kartov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Miike is desperately trying to improve his position but Kartov has a good base and remains in mount.

Kartov stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kartov shoots for a double leg takedown but Miike sprawls well. He's pushed Kartov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kartov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Miike tries to avoid it but Kartov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Miike to the ground. Miike escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Miike swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kartov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Miike defends it nicely.
Nogi Kartov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kartov has Miike up against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kartov is looking to break free of the clinch but Miike has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nogi Kartov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Miike lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kartov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kartov slips a jab and a cross from Miike.
Miike misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Miike!
Kartov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kartov shoots in for a double leg but Miike sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Miike misses with a double jab
and Kartov counters with a left and a right that stings Miike.

Kartov scores with a takedown into Miike's guard.

Kartov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Kartov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Miike not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kartov wanted to stand there but Miike had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miike not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Miike takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Miike wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kartov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Miike fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kartov manages to avoid it.
Takeshi Miike seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Miike swings for the body but Kartov moves out of range.
Miike misses with a wild body shot.
Miike fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kartov is out of range.
No joy there for Miike, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kartov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Miike looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Miike is not content to let Kartov control the position.

Kartov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartov avoids the body shot from Miike.
Kartov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Miike throws out the jab.
Miike will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Miike misses with a series of wild punches.
Kartov shoots in but Miike avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kartov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Miike is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kartov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Miike!
Kartov controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miike is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Miike is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Kartov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Miike because Kartov loaded up on that one.
Nogi Kartov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Miike working to try and regain half guard.
Kartov takes Miike's back.
Nogi Kartov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kartov is not going to allow Miike to sit and survive in this position.
Miike looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Miike is trying to break free.
Kartov biding his time, controlling Miike.
Miike tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Takeshi Miike has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Miike has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Kartov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Miike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miike looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kartov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nogi Kartov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kartov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nogi Kartov!
Nogi Kartov very nearly forgot to thank Resistance amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.