PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Berkut Rain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rain
vs
Koreshkov

185 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

184 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Berkut Rain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Koreshkov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rain gets caught napping as Koreshkov dives in and scores a takedown. Rain manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rain looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Koreshkov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Koreshkov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rain has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Koreshkov is working away from the top position though.
Koreshkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rain is in trouble now - Koreshkov has advanced to mount!
Rain is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koreshkov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Koreshkov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rain because Koreshkov loaded up on that one.
Koreshkov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Let's hope that Koreshkov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Koreshkov has hold of Rain's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Rain manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Koreshkov content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Koreshkov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Rain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

Koreshkov looking for a guillotine from mount but Rain is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koreshkov thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov prevents Rain from getting the reversal.
Koreshkov looking to ground and pound but Rain is blocking nicely.

Koreshkov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Rain to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Rain shrugs it off.

Koreshkov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rain turns into him and now he's in Koreshkov's guard.
Koreshkov working a defensive guard here.
Rain trying to stand up but can't free himself from Koreshkov's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koreshkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koreshkov keeping full guard, as Rain tries to pass.
Koreshkov is pulling down on Rain's head to control his posture.
Rain knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koreshkov on the ground.
Koreshkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rain.
Rain being controlled here momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Koreshkov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Koreshkov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Koreshkov dives in and grabs Rain's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rain pushes down on Koreshkov's head and hops out.
Horrible takedown by Koreshkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Rain which made him look bad.
Rain tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Koreshkov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Koreshkov is looking for a takedown.
Berkut Rain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Koreshkov.
Rain is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Koreshkov avoiding damage.
Rain has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Koreshkov pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain is looking to stand up but Koreshkov won't let him.

Koreshkov pushes Rain off and gets back to his feet.
Rain is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Rain or perhaps it was just good defense by Koreshkov which made him look bad.
Rain wants to clinch

and Koreshkov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rain's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov pushes down on Rain's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Koreshkov is working for a kimura but Rain is defending it quite comfortably.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koreshkov moves into full mount! Rain won't be happy about that!

Koreshkov get's back to his feet.
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rain swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain tries to clinch up

and Koreshkov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rain wants to get back to striking at distance but Koreshkov won't allow it.
Koreshkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rain.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rain can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.

Koreshkov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rain can't fight it off and eventually Koreshkov manages to take the fight to the floor. Rain looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Koreshkov looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koreshkov is one step ahead there.

Koreshkov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rain, up you get!
Koreshkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rain sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Koreshkov somewhat.
Rain shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koreshkov as he jumps to the side.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rain leaves Koreshkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Koreshkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rain tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koreshkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rain somewhat.
Koreshkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Koreshkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rain shoots in for a double leg but Koreshkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Koreshkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rain fails in his attempt to clinch.
Koreshkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Koreshkov drives through and clinches with Rain against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov is struggling to control the position.
Rain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Berkut Rain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Koreshkov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Koreshkov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Koreshkov pulls Rain in close to prevent any damage.
Koreshkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Koreshkov managing to control the position.

Rain got a little sloppy there for a moment and Koreshkov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rain has managed to get both his arms back between Koreshkov's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koreshkov pushes Rain off and gets back to his feet.
Koreshkov shoots in but no luck this time.
Koreshkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rain shoots in looking for a takedown. Koreshkov tries to sprawl out of it but Rain keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Koreshkov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rain throws a series of punches but Koreshkov avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain slaps away a takedown attempt from Koreshkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Koreshkov misses with a takedown attempt - Rain sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rain fails with a takedown attempt.
Rain moves to clinch but Koreshkov breaks away

and Koreshkov counters with a shoot takedown. Rain fights it but they end up in guard.
Koreshkov is stalling in the full guard.
Rain wants to stand but Koreshkov is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rain can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Koreshkov controls the pace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Koreshkov passes Rain's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Koreshkov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rain to stand up.
Koreshkov closes the distance and clinches up with Rain, looking for a takedown. Koreshkov pushes Rain against the cage but Rain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Koreshkov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Koreshkov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrey Koreshkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Koreshkov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Koreshkov!