PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yang Xinhai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Xinhai might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Loco. Chekhov has chosen КАТЮШA as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Xinhai
vs
Chekhov

169 cm
28
143 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

169 cm
26
140 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yang Xinhai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anton Chekhov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Xinhai darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Chekhov is trying to get back to full guard.
Xinhai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chekhov trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chekhov has hold of Xinhai's hands but Xinhai slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xinhai content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Chekhov is not content to let Xinhai control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chekhov actively working from the bottom here.
Xinhai controlling the action here.
Chekhov wants to improve his position but Xinhai is controlling well.
Chekhov trying to control here.
Xinhai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Xinhai thows a huge punch but Chekhov dodges it nicely.
Xinhai prevents Chekhov from improving his position.
Chekhov trying to hold on to Xinhai's head to control him but Xinhai postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Xinhai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chekhov keeps working.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Xinhai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chekhov as he avoids it easily.
Xinhai takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Xinhai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chekhov circles away.
Chekhov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xinhai.
Xinhai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Xinhai throws a wild body kick that Chekhov sees coming a mile off.
Chekhov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice cross by Chekhov.
Anton Chekhov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xinhai misses with an uppercut.
Xinhai lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Xinhai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Chekhov swings widly with a right hand
and Xinhai counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai is looking to chop away at Chekhov's legs.
Xinhai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Chekhov scores with a push kick.
Xinhai tries to score with a low kick but Chekhov moves his leg out of the way.
Xinhai tried to score with a low kick but Chekhov checks it.
Xinhai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yang Xinhai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai misses with a wild body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Chekhov.

Xinhai is rocked!
Chekhov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Xinhai checks a leg kick.
Chekhov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Chekhov misses with an uppercut
and Xinhai counters with a three punch combo that has Chekhov backing up. Chekhov nods at Xinhai to acknowledge the strikes.
Chekhov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xinhai.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xinhai misses with a head kick.
Chekhov takes a swing at Xinhai's ribcage but misses.
Xinhai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai lands a nice leg kick that just misses Chekhov's sensitive parts.
Chekhov throws a body punch but Xinhai moves out of range.
Xinhai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xinhai tries to clinch but Chekhov moves out of range.
Anton Chekhov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chekhov throws the left hand but Xinhai avoids the punch easily.
Xinhai misses with a two punch combination.
Xinhai tests Chekhov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xinhai lands with a cross.

Xinhai drives through and clinches with Chekhov against the cage.
Chekhov can't find room to land a body shot as Xinhai controls the action.
Chekhov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xinhai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Xinhai misses with a punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Chekhov misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai dominated that round.
That's time! Xinhai's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Chekhov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Chekhov ducks under a wild hook from Xinhai.
Chekhov is looking to clinch.
Chekhov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Xinhai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Xinhai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Chekhov's head backwards.
Xinhai darts in looking for a takedown but Chekhov gets double underhooks and turns Xinhai into the cage.
Xinhai tries a body shot but Chekhov blocks it.
Chekhov lands with a left to the head.
Chekhov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Xinhai scores with a shoulder strike.
Chekhov has a couple of punches blocked by Xinhai.
Xinhai misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chekhov working aggressively here.
Chekhov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chekhov lands an uppercut.
Xinhai throws a head punch that misses.
Chekhov swings wildly with an uppercut but Xinhai uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chekhov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Xinhai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chekhov can do to turn this around?
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
Xinhai content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Chekhov working aggressively here.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Xinhai avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Xinhai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekhov is struggling to control the position.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Xinhai avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Xinhai takes a shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Chekhov fails to land.
Chekhov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xinhai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Chekhov backwards.
Xinhai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov swings wildly with an uppercut but Xinhai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Xinhai blocks it.
Xinhai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chekhov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yang Xinhai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai wants to stall.
Chekhov lands a nice uppercut.
Chekhov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Xinhai or not.
Xinhai wants to stall.
Xinhai misses with a body punch.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekhov tries to work over Xinhai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Anton Chekhov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Xinhai avoiding damage.
Xinhai makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov is leaning against Xinhai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Chekhov stalling the fight.
Chekhov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xinhai blocking some punches.
Xinhai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Xinhai blocks an uppercut.
Xinhai tries to score a body lock takedown but Chekhov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Chekhov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xinhai's elbow.
Xinhai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Xinhai has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chekhov after a bit of a struggle.
Xinhai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chekhov's elbow.
Xinhai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chekhov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Chekhov is trying to stall.
Chekhov working aggressively here.
Chekhov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xinhai's elbow.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
Chekhov struggles to land a body shot inside as Xinhai controls his hands.
Chekhov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Xinhai backwards.
Chekhov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xinhai goes for a takedown attempt but Chekhov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Chekhov keeps the fight on the outside.
Chekhov is looking to chop away at Xinhai's legs.
Xinhai throws a front kick aimed at Chekhov's knee but Chekhov avoids it well.
Chekhov throws a body punch but Xinhai moves out of range.
Xinhai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Chekhov wants to clinch.
Chekhov scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Chekhov swings for the body but Xinhai moves out of range.
Chekhov takes one to the side of the head.
Xinhai misses with a looping left.
Yang Xinhai is winning the standup battle so far.
Chekhov lands with a good body shot.
Chekhov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A leg kick checked by Xinhai.
Chekhov throws a hook but Xinhai blocks it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Xinhai is defended easily by Chekhov.
Xinhai throws a poor cross that misses
and Chekhov counters with a right hand to the body.
Xinhai throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chekhov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Chekhov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Xinhai throws a right and a left that Chekhov avoids nicely.
Chekhov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chekhov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Chekhov wants to slow Xinhai down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov throws a nice looking combination but Xinhai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Chekhov misses with a low kick.
Xinhai lands a glancing blow to the side of Chekhov's head.
Xinhai needs to keep his hands up - Chekhov had a free shot at his head there.
Chekhov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Oh Xinhai is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Chekhov throws a quick inside leg kick.

Xinhai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chekhov, pushing him back against the cage.
Xinhai seems to have got his legs back now.
Xinhai blocks a body shot from Chekhov.
Chekhov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Xinhai avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Xinhai working aggressively here.
Xinhai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The referee calls for Xinhai to work.
Xinhai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chekhov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai tries to score a body lock takedown but Chekhov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yang Xinhai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai misses with the head strike.
Chekhov misses with a body punch.
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!
Chekhov misses with a body punch.
Chekhov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Xinhai on the inside.
Xinhai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Chekhovs head.
Chekhov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Xinhai lands with a right to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Xinhai slowing the pace effectively.
Chekhov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Chekhov.
Chekhov struggles to land a body shot inside as Xinhai controls his hands.
Xinhai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Chekhov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai misses with a punch on the inside.
Xinhai misses with a body punch.
Chekhov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Xinhai prevents a body shot from Chekhov.
Chekhov throws a head punch that misses.
Chekhov working aggressively here.
Chekhov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xinhai blocks an uppercut.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
Chekhov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xinhai.
Chekhov misses with some punches.
Chekhov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chekhov looking to slow down the pace here.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Chekhov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chekhov tries to stall but Xinhai uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Xinhai is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Chekhov is defending well.
Chekhov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Xinhai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Xinhai swings wildly with an uppercut but Chekhov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chekhov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Chekhov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Xinhai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Xinhai is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Chekhov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chekhov 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Chekhov!
After winning the bout, Anton Chekhov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.