PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tim Key (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nogi Kartov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Key's entrance music is Till I Collapse - Eminem. A fine choice. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Key
vs
Kartov

172 cm
26
142 lbs
23 - 5 - 0

165 cm
32
141 lbs
15 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Grace Grappling Gear
Hellraiser Fightgear ($10-$20 clothing)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Key!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nogi Kartov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kartov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Key sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kartov somewhat.
Kartov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Key.
Kartov dives in and grabs Key's left leg, looking for a takedown. Key pushes down on Kartov's head and hops out.
Key throws a right hand that Kartov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kartov also avoids with ease.
Tim Key seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kartov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nogi Kartov.
Kartov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Key throws an off balance right hand

and Kartov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kartov wants to control from the top but Key keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Key pulls Kartov in close to prevent any damage.
Key wants to sweep here but Kartov controlling him for the moment.

Key pushes Kartov off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kartov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Key throws a looping overhand right but Kartov ducks down to avoid it.
Tim Key is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kartov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Key takes a swing at Kartov's ribcage but misses.
Key leaves Kartov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Key loads up on a big right hand but Kartov slips the punch.
Key dips to his left and cracks Kartov with an uppercut!
Key throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kartov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Key won't be happy with that.
Key tries to buck Kartov off but Kartov is having none of it.
Key is trying to get back to his feet.
Key is looking to reverse the position.
Key is letting Kartov control him for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Key struggling a bit here.
Key is looking to reverse the position.
Key struggling a bit here.
Kartov slows the pace down.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Key jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Key misses with a hook
and Kartov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kartov fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Key displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kartov.
Kartov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Key.

Key rushes Kartov and presses him up against the cage.
Kartov fails to pull guard.
Kartov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Key walks away with a smile on his face. Kartov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice uppercut lands for Key. That snapped Kartov's head back.
Kartov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Key counter with a right hand.
Kartov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Key sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kartov somewhat.

Key closes the distance and clinches.
Key misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kartov's elbow.
Kartov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Key scores with a shoulder strike.
Kartov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A hook to the body from Key.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kartov prevents a body shot from Key.
Key is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Key.
Kartov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Key smiles and moves away.
Key connects with a nice looking jab.
Key throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Key.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Key darts in trying to clinch

and Kartov counters with a takedown into side control.
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 Tim Key will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kartov misses with a takedown attempt - Key sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Key throws a jab when Kartov was well out of range.
Kartov moves out of range as Key strikes.
Kartov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Key keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nogi Kartov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kartov.
Nice takedown defense from Key. No joy for Kartov on that attempt.
Key throws a body punch but Kartov moves out of range.
Key throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nogi Kartov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kartov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kartov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Key.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key misses with a straight right.
Key scores with a hook to the body. Kartov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kartov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Key tries to close the distance and clinch but Kartov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kartov misses with a two punch combination.
Key connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Key tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kartov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kartov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kartov passes Key's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Key regains full guard. Nicely done.
Key has control of Kartov's left arm, preventing Kartov from doing any damage.
Key is looking to stand up but Kartov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Key is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kartov wants to control but Key is keeping busy.
Key wants to pass the guard but Kartov is defending well.
Kartov is looking to improve his position.
Kartov is staying active underneath Key, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kartov is looking to improve his position.
Key missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kartov moves into full guard.
Key trying to control but Kartov is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Key accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov keeping moving, preventing Key from controlling successfully.
Key stands up over Kartov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Key trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Key has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Key slips nicely into half guard.
Key moves into full mount! Kartov won't be happy about that!
Kartov wants to hold on but Key pushes him away.
Kartov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Key wants to control the pace but Kartov is squirming around nicely.
Key with good strikes from the mount here!
Kartov tries to lock up and control but Key gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Key is working for a guillotine from mount but Kartov frees his head quite easily.

Key with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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!
Kartov tries to lock up and control but Key gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Key raining down shots from the mount!
Key breaks from Kartov's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Key is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kartov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kartov!
Kartov wants to control from the top but Key keeps moving.
Kartov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Key wants to get back to his feet but Kartov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Key keeping moving, preventing Kartov from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Key dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Key stuffs the takedown attempt from Kartov. Kartov gets slowly back to his feet.
Key tries to clinch there but Kartov circles away.
Kartov misses with a takedown
and Key counters with a stiff right hand.
Kartov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Key counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nogi Kartov.
Horrible takedown by Kartov or perhaps it was just good defense by Key which made him look bad.
Key misses with a body punch
and Kartov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kartov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Key has taken the fight to the clinch.
Key throws a punch but it's blocked by Kartov.
Key swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Key throws a punch but it's blocked by Kartov.
Kartov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Key misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kartov jumps guard but Key turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Key struggles to land a body shot inside as Kartov controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Key.

Key breaks from the clinch.
Kartov slips under a jab.
Kartov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kartov tries to clinch but Key is having none of it.
Kartov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kartov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Key.
Key doesn't manage to clinch there - Kartov circles away.
Key bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kartov's head.
Kartov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kartov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Key avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kartov blocks a jab.
Key throws a right hand that misses

and Kartov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Key trying to hold on to Kartov's head to control him but Kartov postures up.
Key wants to get back to his feet.
Key scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Kartov manages to mount him!
Key is trying to escape the mount.
Key is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov controlling from the full mount.
Key holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kartov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Nogi Kartov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Key wants to control but Kartov is having none of it.
Key is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Key tries to control Kartov's body but Kartov pushes him off. Key squirms to his side and now Kartov has his back!
Key has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key just trying to survive but Kartov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Kartov trying to control momentarily.
Key is trying to get back to his feet but Kartov has full control of the position and if anything, Key has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Kartov wants to control but Key is keeping busy.
Kartov is controlling the position but Key somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Kartov is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kartov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Key is keeping the position for now.
Kartov won't allow Key to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Key avoids the body shot from Kartov.
Key throws a poor cross that misses

and Kartov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Key's guard.
Key wants to sweep but no luck.
Key wants to stand up but Kartov is controlling him.
Key not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Key keeping moving, preventing Kartov from controlling successfully.
Key wants to stand up but Kartov is controlling him.
Kartov trying to control but Key is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nogi Kartov.
Key throws a body punch but Kartov moves out of range.
Kartov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tim Key is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kartov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Key defends it nicely.
Kartov fails with a takedown attempt.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nogi Kartov.
A jab from Key finds it's way through Kartov's defenses.
Key throws an off balance right hand

and Kartov counters with a takedown into side control.
Key wants to get back to his feet.
Key manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Key is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartov not doing much here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Key trying to control but Kartov postures up.

Kartov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kartov wants to control but Key is keeping him busy.
Key tries to kick Kartov off but Kartov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Key is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Key wants to get back to his feet.
Key is looking for a sweep. Kartov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Key is trying to stand.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kartov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Key does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nogi Kartov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Kartov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Key!
Kartov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Key is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key is looking to improve his position but Kartov isn't that keen on the idea.
Kartov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Key is wriggling around trying to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Key is working hard here to advance position.
Kartov wants to control the pace but Key is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nogi Kartov dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Key tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kartov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Key slaps away a takedown attempt from Kartov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Key throws a leg kick that misses.
Kartov lands a nice hook to Key's body. Key takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Key throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Key leaves Kartov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Key defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kartov.
Tim Key has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nogi Kartov.
Kartov misses with a two punch combination.
Key tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kartov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Key takes a swing at Kartov's ribcage but misses.
Key throws out a loose jab but Kartov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Key misses with a looping right.
Kartov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice cross by Key.
Kartov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Key swivels and escapes.
Kartov walks into a left hand.

Key moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kartov.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Key creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kartov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Key walks away with a smile on his face. Kartov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kartov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Key. Kartov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kartov closes the distance and clinches up with Key, looking for a takedown. Kartov pushes Key against the cage but Key circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Key.
Key wants to clinch.

Key fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kartov, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartov jumps guard but Key stands there with Kartov around his waist. Kartov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Key scores with a shoulder strike.
Kartov tries to pull guard but Key forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Key breaks the clinch.
Kartov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Key counters with a nice body shot.
Kartov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Kartov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Key napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Key wants to control but Kartov postures up.
Key tries to escape but Kartov is in control.
Key can't do much from the bottom here.
Key is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartov trying to control the position but Key is working away.
Kartov tries to move to mount but Key blocks the move with his legs.
Nogi Kartov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kartov trying to control the position but Key is working away.
Key is trying to get back to half guard.
Key is not content to let Kartov control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Kartov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Key, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Key is trying to buck Kartov off.

Kartov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Key wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Key is looking to regain half guard here but Kartov keeps moving and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Key showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Key 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Key!
Tim Key retains his bantamweight title!
An intense looking Tim Key took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Nogi I know this wasn't the way you wanted to end your career, but I just want you to know you are a true warrior! Also I just want to give a shout out to Team Key as I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them!'.