PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrey Koreskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Francis Tebow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koreskov comes to the cage accompanied by Небо Славян. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Koreskov
vs
Tebow

187 cm
24
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andrey Koreskov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francis Tebow!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koreskov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Tebow counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tebow postures up and lands a big shot to Koreskov's brow.
Tebow tries to free his leg and advance position but Koreskov is retaining full guard.
Tebow should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Tebow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tebow wants to pass the guard but Koreskov is keeping the position.
Koreskov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Koreskov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koreskov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tebow.
Koreskov is adopting a defensive guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Koreskov looking for a guillotine here but Tebow defends easily.
Tebow postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreskov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tebow throws a big right hand that misses.
Tebow working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tebow lands a couple of digs.
Tebow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tebow postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tebow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Koreskov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tebow is one step ahead there.

Tebow drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Koreskov dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreskov trying to control but Tebow is working from the bottom.
Koreskov wanted to stand there but Tebow had control of the position.
Koreskov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tebow is keeping the position for now.
Koreskov wants to control from the top but Tebow keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreskov 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Andrey Koreskov.
Tebow ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koreskov moves away.
Koreskov wants to clinch.
Koreskov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tebow's calf.
Koreskov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tebow as he avoids it easily.
Koreskov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tebow takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Andrey Koreskov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tebow looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Koreskov wants to control but Tebow is keeping busy.
Tebow lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tebow drops an elbow to the side of Koreskov's head.
Tebow wants to free his trapped foot but Koreskov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tebow has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tebow is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koreskov sees it coming and defends easily.
Koreskov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tebow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Tebow dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Koreskov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Koreskov stands up and beckons Tebow to his feet.
Koreskov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tebow's waist but Tebow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koreskov off to one side.
Koreskov scoring well with a low kick there.
Koreskov shoots for a takedown but Tebow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tebow fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koreskov manages to avoid it.
Tebow keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrey Koreskov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tebow dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Koreskov shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreskov blocks a jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tebow fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Koreskov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tebow is trying to defend but Koreskov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Koreskov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tebow is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreskov stalling away here and it's allowed Tebow to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Koreskov is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Andrey Koreskov.
Tebow lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Koreskov defending well as Tebow loads up on a big left hand.
Koreskov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koreskov gets a takedown into half guard.
Tebow is staying active underneath Koreskov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Koreskov prevents Tebow from standing back up.
Francis Tebow has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koreskov controlling the action here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Andrey Koreskov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Koreskov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tebow but Tebow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Andrey Koreskov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreskov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tebow paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Koreskov gets a takedown into half guard.

Koreskov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tebow is just riding it out for now. Koreskov eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koreskov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Koreskov dominated that second round.
That's time! Koreskov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Koreskov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tebow decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Koreskov's guard.
Koreskov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tebow is one step ahead there.
Tebow throws a strike but Koreskov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Koreskov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tebow wants to stand up but Koreskov is controlling him.
Koreskov wants to pass the guard but Tebow is keeping the position.
Koreskov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tebow pushes Koreskov off and gets back to his feet.
Tebow misses with an uppercut
and Koreskov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A head kick by Tebow misses
and Koreskov counters with a big head kick but Tebow shrugs it off.
Koreskov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tebow takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Some wild striking there from Tebow.
Koreskov avoids the body shot from Tebow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreskov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Koreskov enables Tebow to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Koreskov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Koreskov is looking for a triangle but Tebow pushes his legs off easily.
Koreskov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tebow with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tebow is looking to work some ground and pound but Koreskov has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tebow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tebow is fighting to break Koreskov's control of his arms but Koreskov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Tebow throwing strikes but missing.
Koreskov is trying to keep Tebow in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tebow stopping the sweep attempt from Koreskov.
Tebow with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tebow throws an elbow that misses. Koreskov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tebow's guard. Nice move by Koreskov!
Koreskov won't allow Tebow to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Andrey Koreskov.
Koreskov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tebow swivels and escapes.
Tebow misses with a shot to the body
and Koreskov counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tebow misses with an uppercut.

Koreskov gets a double leg takedown into Tebow's guard.
Tebow wants to stand and escape but Koreskov is having none of it.
Koreskov is standing up over Tebow. Tebow looks to escape but Koreskov dives into side control.
Tebow is trying to buck Koreskov off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koreskov in side control, just content to control the action for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Francis Tebow.
I think Tebow has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight for Francis Tebow!
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Francis Tebow!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Francis Tebow!

Francis Tebow wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Francis Tebow thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.