PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stan TheMan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). TheMan comes to the cage accompanied by Get Up Again. Bashorov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hangar 18. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

TheMan
vs
Bashorov

181 cm
37
202 lbs
39 - 25 - 1

190 cm
26
194 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
SP Ultimate Nutrition

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 25 - 1, fighting out of London, Stan TheMan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Bashorov.
Bashorov misses with a hook.
Bashorov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bashorov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but TheMan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
TheMan scores with a leg kick.
TheMan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bashorov.
TheMan throws a jab but it's blocked by Bashorov.
Bashorov lands a really nice looking cross but TheMan seems unphased.
Bashorov throws a lazy uppercut
and TheMan counters with a straight right hand.
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.
Bashorov thuds his right hand into TheMan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bashorov digs a good body shot into TheMan's ribs.
TheMan takes a swing at Bashorov's ribcage but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bashorov looks to throw the jab but TheMan is out of range.
TheMan throws a body punch but Bashorov moves out of range.
TheMan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bashorov checks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov tries to bum rush TheMan with a series of wild strikes but TheMan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Good work by Bashorov as he checks the leg kick.
A jab from TheMan misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. TheMan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bashorov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It appears TheMan was looking to counter with a kick there.
A big left from TheMan misses.
TheMan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
TheMan thows a left - swing and a miss!
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Bashorov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Bashorov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
TheMan tries to get to full guard but Bashorov has control of the leg.
Bashorov drops an elbow to the side of TheMan's head.
TheMan is concentrating on defense, preventing Bashorov from advancing position.
Bashorov wants to free his trapped foot but TheMan is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
TheMan trying to hold on to Bashorov's head to control him but Bashorov postures up.
TheMan is controlling Bashorov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
TheMan punching from the bottom.
Bashorov trying to pass the guard but TheMan defending well.
TheMan is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at ~T~ Troid - Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
TheMan wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov cracks TheMan with a good jab.
Bashorov throws a right and a left that both miss.
A telegraphed right hand from TheMan misses the target.
Bashorov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and TheMan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
Bashorov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice uppercut there from Bashorov.
Bashorov punishes TheMan's body with a nice straight punch.
Stan TheMan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
TheMan throws an overhand right that lands on Bashorov's shoulder, as Bashorov tries to avoid the shot.
TheMan throws an overhand right that lands on Bashorov's shoulder, as Bashorov tries to avoid the shot.
Bashorov looks for a takedown but TheMan sprawls well.
Bashorov misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov takes a swing at TheMan's ribcage but misses.
TheMan wants to land a leg kick but Bashorov is out of range.
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!
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.
TheMan misses with a low kick as Bashorov jumps back.
A cross from TheMan lands.
Bashorov throws a hook but TheMan blocks it.
Bashorov dodges the punch combination from TheMan.
TheMan misses with an uppercut.
Bashorov misses with a body punch
and TheMan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bashorov has his takedown stuffed
and TheMan counters with a slapping leg kick.
TheMan listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
TheMan moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Karim Bashorov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

TheMan takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bashorov throws a big shot that misses.
Karim Bashorov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bashorov throws a hook to the side of TheMan's head but TheMan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Karim Bashorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bashorov misses with a left hand
and TheMan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bashorov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bashorov throws a jab but it's blocked by TheMan.
TheMan moves out of range as Bashorov strikes.
A big right from TheMan misses.
Bashorov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bashorov misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Bashorov. Those never looked like landing.
And TheMan counters with a quick kick to the body but Bashorov blocks it.
TheMan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bashorov counters with a left and a right that stings TheMan.
Some wild striking there from Bashorov.
A counter left hand to the body from TheMan misses its target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TheMan throws a shot from downtown. Bashorov moves away and avoids it.
Bashorov scores with a one two! TheMan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but TheMan is just out of range.
TheMan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bashorov checks it well.
Bashorov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A big right from TheMan misses.
TheMan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bashorov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It looked like TheMan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
TheMan misses with a low kick.
TheMan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A slow jab from TheMan misses its intended target.
Bashorov lands a glancing blow to the side of TheMan's head.
TheMan throws a looping overhand right but Bashorov ducks down to avoid it.
Bashorov throws out a counter right but TheMan avoids it with no problem.
TheMan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
TheMan needs to keep his hands up - Bashorov had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from TheMan misses.
Good leg kick by TheMan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.
TheMan moves out of range of the strikes.
TheMan fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bashorov just manages to avoid it.
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and TheMan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bashorov with a jab.
Bashorov misses the jab.
It looked like TheMan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bashorov.
TheMan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
TheMan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bashorov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bashorov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
TheMan wants to clinch up but Bashorov keeps it at a distance.
TheMan throws a poor cross that misses
and Bashorov counters with a straight right hand.
TheMan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TheMan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
TheMan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
TheMan looks to land a left hand but Bashorov moved out of range nicely.
It seemed like Bashorov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
TheMan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bashorov.
TheMan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by TheMan.
TheMan misses with an uppercut. Bashorov saw that one coming.
TheMan takes a swing at Bashorov's ribcage but misses.
TheMan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bashorov.
Bashorov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bashorov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bashorov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An attempted straight right counter from TheMan misses the target.
Bashorov misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling TheMan to counter with a crisp jab.
Bashorov misses with a straight left.
TheMan walks into a left hand.

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!
TheMan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bashorov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
TheMan throws a series of punches but Bashorov moves out of range.
TheMan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bashorov is defended easily by TheMan.
TheMan lands the left hand.
TheMan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from TheMan.
TheMan needs to keep his hands up - Bashorov had a free shot at his head there.
TheMan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

TheMan drops his hands momentarily and Bashorov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bashorov shoots for a double leg takedown but TheMan sprawls well. He's pushed Bashorov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bashorov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
TheMan throws a solid leg kick but Bashorov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at TheMan.
Bashorov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bashorov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
TheMan throws a body shot but no joy.
TheMan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
TheMan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
TheMan throws a leg kick

and Bashorov counters with a single leg into guard. TheMan didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bashorov wants to control from the top but TheMan keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
TheMan trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bashorov trying to control but TheMan is working from the bottom.
Bashorov won't allow TheMan to sweep him here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bashorov trying to control the position from guard on top but TheMan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.
TheMan blocks a jab.
TheMan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
Bashorov misses with a shot to the body
and TheMan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
TheMan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bashorov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Bashorov misses.
TheMan throws out a loose jab but Bashorov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bashorov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Bashorov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by TheMan.
No joy there for TheMan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bashorov misses with a hook.
Bashorov misses the jab.
TheMan pushes Bashorov away with a front kick.
Bashorov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bashorov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
TheMan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bashorov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as TheMan throws out the jab.
TheMan lands with a right hand.
Bashorov scores with a jab to the head.
TheMan throws a lazy right hand but Bashorov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bashorov shoots in for a double leg but TheMan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stan TheMan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov throws a right and a left that TheMan avoids nicely.
TheMan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
TheMan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bashorov throws a right hand that misses
and TheMan counters with a left and a right that stings Bashorov.
Bashorov misses with a left hand
and TheMan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bashorov defending well as TheMan loads up on a big left hand.

Bashorov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bashorov looks to land a strike but TheMan avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Bashorov throwing strikes but missing.
TheMan wants to control the position but Bashorov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
TheMan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bashorov is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Karim Bashorov just about did enough to take it.
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.

Bashorov throws a predictable looking body shot
letting TheMan counter with a right hand.
Bashorov slips a straight right by TheMan.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashorov! But no joy.
Bashorov throws a good cross that connects.
Bashorov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It seemed like Bashorov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
TheMan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
TheMan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
TheMan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
TheMan swings widly with a right hand
letting Bashorov counter with a right hand.
Bashorov thuds a left hand into TheMan's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. TheMan does a little dance to reset his feet.
TheMan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
TheMan throws a hook to the side of Bashorov's head but Bashorov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
TheMan throws a jab but it's blocked by Bashorov.
Bashorov takes a swing at TheMan's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TheMan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bashorov misses with a double jab.
Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy.
TheMan misses with a hook. Bashorov ducked under it nicely.
Bashorov misses with a hook
and TheMan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A big right from Bashorov misses.
TheMan appears to be looking for a big counter.
TheMan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bashorov moves out of range of the strikes.
Bashorov swings for the body but TheMan moves out of range.
TheMan is looking for a counter combo.
Bashorov misses the shot to the body.
TheMan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut
and TheMan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Bashorov misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
TheMan walks into a jab.
TheMan throws a looping overhand right but Bashorov ducks down to avoid it.
TheMan fakes the leg kick and cracks Bashorov in the body.
TheMan throws a hook but Bashorov blocks it.
TheMan scores with a nice head shot.
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!
Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bashorov tests TheMan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bashorov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bashorov fails with a takedown attempt.
TheMan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
TheMan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bashorov's hands.
Bashorov missing with a left hand there. TheMan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bashorov throws a big shot that misses.
Bashorov swings widly with a right hand
and TheMan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
TheMan misses with a looping right.
Bashorov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from TheMan.
Bashorov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck TheMan on the side of the head.
TheMan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
TheMan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
TheMan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bashorov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by TheMan.
Bashorov misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bashorov takes a swing at TheMan's ribcage but misses.
TheMan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut
and TheMan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
TheMan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bashorov fails to land with a series of punches.
TheMan fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bashorov just manages to avoid it.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Bashorov.
Bashorov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
TheMan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bashorov doesn't seem bothered though.
Bashorov misses the shot to the body.
TheMan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
TheMan looks to land a right hand but Bashorov moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Stan TheMan will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bashorov throws a poor cross that misses
and TheMan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
TheMan throws a leg kick but Bashorov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bashorov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bashorov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bashorov lands with a straight right. TheMan didn't see that one coming.
TheMan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bashorov.
TheMan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
TheMan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bashorov.
TheMan ducks under a wild hook from Bashorov.
TheMan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A good leg kick by TheMan.
TheMan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bashorov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bashorov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and TheMan counters with a right hand to the body.
Bashorov throws a body punch but TheMan moves out of range.
TheMan is looking for a counter combo.
TheMan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. TheMan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A big right from Bashorov misses.
TheMan lands a jab to the nose.
TheMan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bashorov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bashorov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bashorov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as TheMan throws out the jab.
Bashorov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bashorov has a takedown stuffed.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bashorov takes a swing at TheMan's ribcage but misses.
TheMan takes a swing at Bashorov's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
TheMan lands a leg kick that knocks Bashorov off balance momentarily.
Bashorov lands a nice shot that snaps TheMan's head back.
Bashorov slips a jab from TheMan.
Bashorov throws a sloppy body shot
and TheMan counters with an outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
TheMan swings for the body but Bashorov moves out of range.
Bashorov misses the shot to the body.
TheMan lands a nice shot that snaps Bashorov's head back.
TheMan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
TheMan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bashorov throws a body punch but TheMan moves out of range.
TheMan throws a right hand that misses
and Bashorov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bashorov misses with a lunging right hand
and TheMan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from TheMan. Bashorov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Bashorov misses the target.
Bashorov scores with a jab. TheMan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
TheMan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
TheMan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bashorov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stan TheMan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
TheMan misses with a low kick.
TheMan throws a big shot that misses.
TheMan connects with a solid leg kick.
Bashorov connects with a good right hand that stumbles TheMan. TheMan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bashorov cracks a nice hook into TheMan's ribs.
Nice defenses there by TheMan.
Karim Bashorov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
TheMan digs a good body shot into Bashorov's ribs.
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!
TheMan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
TheMan walks into a straight right hand from Bashorov.
Bashorov lands with a straight right. TheMan didn't see that one coming.
Nice jab there from TheMan.
Bashorov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but TheMan was well out of range. Poor timing from Bashorov.
Bashorov darts in looking for a takedown but TheMan gets double underhooks and turns Bashorov into the cage.
TheMan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Bashorov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bashorov walks into a stiff left hand from TheMan.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
TheMan is looking to counter punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Stan TheMan.
Well Bashorov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karim Bashorov!
Karim Bashorov is the new middleweight champion!
Our winner, Karim Bashorov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.