PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anton Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Azusa Moribe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Chekhov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to КАТЮШA. The crowd seem to be enjoying Moribe's choice of entrance music: Krayzie Bone - Drama. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Azusa Moribe enters the cage!

Chekhov
vs
Moribe

169 cm
30
135 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

165 cm
31
145 lbs
19 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pitt Nutrition 160Q@$149

Underworld Clothing

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 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anton Chekhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Azusa Moribe!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chekhov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Moribe misses with a hook
and Chekhov counters with a low kick, right behind Moribe 's knee.
Chekhov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Moribe takes a swing at Chekhov's ribcage but misses.
Moribe drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Chekhov throws a body kick that misses.
Moribe takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Moribe throws a low kick, looking for Chekhov's leg but Chekhov calmly moves out of range.
Moribe lands with a nice body punch.
Moribe throws a head kick that misses.
Moribe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Chekhov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Moribe works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
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!

Moribe moves into the clinch.
Chekhov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Chekhov pushes Moribe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Moribe misses with a body punch.
Moribe misses with a punch to the body.

Moribe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Chekhov.
A slow jab from Moribe misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov throws a body kick that misses.
Chekhov avoids the body shot from Moribe.
Chekhov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Moribe.
A big left from Moribe misses.
Chekhov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Moribe replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Chekhov blocks it well.
Moribe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chekhov.
Chekhov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Moribe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Chekhov misses with a kick to the body.
Moribe is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Chekhov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Chekhov looks to throw the jab but Moribe is out of range.
Chekhov tries a low kick but Moribe avoids it.
Chekhov throws an overhand right that lands on Moribe's shoulder, as Moribe tries to avoid the shot.
Chekhov connects with a body shot.
Chekhov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Chekhov moves forwards but Moribe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
A cross from Moribe lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moribe throws a leg kick but Chekhov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Moribe checks the leg kick.
It seemed like Moribe was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Moribe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Chekhov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Chekhov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Chekhov walks into a stiff left hand from Moribe.
Chekhov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chekhov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chekhov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Moribe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chekhov connects with a leg kick. Moribe looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Chekhov throws out a loose jab but Moribe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Moribe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Moribe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Moribe is looking to clinch but Chekhov is avoiding it.
Moribe is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Chekhov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Chekhov tries to land a front kick but Moribe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Moribe cracks Chekhov with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Azusa Moribe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moribe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chekhov moves away.
Moribe cracks the inside of Chekhov's front leg.
Moribe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chekhov.
Chekhov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chekhov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Chekhov wants to land a leg kick but Moribe is out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Chekhov.
A little jabbing left from Moribe on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Chekhov avoids the body shot from Moribe.
Moribe steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Chekhov. That one must have hurt.
Chekhov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Chekhov tries to land a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Moribe looks to throw the jab but Chekhov is out of range.
Moribe missing with a left hand there. Chekhov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Moribe lands a right hook to the body.
Moribe attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Chekhov slips a jab and a cross from Moribe.

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!
Chekhov slips a straight right by Moribe.
Chekhov scores with a hook to the body. Moribe takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Moribe is looking to chop away at Chekhov's legs.
Moribe takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big right from Chekhov misses.
Moribe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Chekhov swings for the body but Moribe moves out of range.
Chekhov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Moribe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Chekhov looks to score with a jab to the body but Moribe is just out of range.
Chekhov scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moribe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chekhov moves away.
Chekhov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chekhov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Moribe. That did some damage!
Moribe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Azusa Moribe will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chekhov moves out of range of the strikes.
Chekhov scores with a jab to the body.
Chekhov avoids a kick to the body.
It appears Chekhov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Chekhov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Moribe looks to land a right hand but Chekhov moved out of range.
Chekhov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Chekhov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Moribe is out of range.
Chekhov loads up on a big right hand but Moribe slips the punch.
Chekhov tried to score with a low kick but Moribe checks it.
It seemed like Moribe was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A swing and a miss from Chekhov.
Chekhov avoids the body shot from Moribe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moribe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Chekhov tries to land a front kick but Moribe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Chekhov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Moribe lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Moribe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Chekhov checks a leg kick.
Moribe throws a leg kick that is checked
and Chekhov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov looks for the body kick but Moribe saw that one coming.
Chekhov misses with a body kick.
Moribe throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chekhov. Moribe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chekhov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chekhov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Moribe.
Moribe lands a jab to the nose.
Chekhov avoids the head kick by Moribe.
Moribe slips under a jab from Chekhov.
Moribe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Chekhov throws a lazy right hand but Moribe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Moribe tries a quick counter leg kick but Chekhov is wise to it.
Chekhov 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.
Anton Chekhov is winning the standup battle so far.
Moribe throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Chekhov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Moribe listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moribe misses with a body kick.
Moribe moves out of range as Chekhov strikes.
Moribe now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Moribe lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Chekhov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Chekhov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Moribe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Moribe lands with a nice body punch.
Chekhov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Moribe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chekhov.
Both fighters circling a little - Moribe finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Chekhov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Moribe counters with a nice body kick.
Moribe throws a hook to the side of Chekhov's head but Chekhov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Moribe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Chekhov lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice shot lands for Chekhov.
Chekhov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Chekhov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A lazy body kick from Chekhov
and Chekhov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe moves out of range of the strikes.
Chekhov misses with a leg kick
and Moribe counters with a thumping low kick.
Chekhov throws out a leg kick but Moribe moves out of range and Chekhov only half commits.
Chekhov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chekhov lands a head shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Moribe, right into the meat.
Moribe moves out of range of the body kick.
Moribe lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Moribe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Moribe works Chekhov's body with a nice hook.
Chekhov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Moribe.
Chekhov looks to throw the jab but Moribe is out of range.
Moribe fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Chekhov checks it well.
A head kick misses from Moribe.
As Moribe backs away, Chekhov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov throws a hook but Moribe avoids it easily.
Moribe throws a head kick that misses.
Chekhov is looking to counter punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chekhov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moribe moves away.
Moribe lands a jab to the nose.
Moribe throws a poor cross that misses
and Moribe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Chekhov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Moribe throws a looping overhand right but Chekhov ducks down to avoid it.
Chekhov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Moribe scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chekhov. Moribe does a little dance to reset his feet.
Moribe appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That kick from Moribe tenderised Chekhov's leg. Chekhov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Moribe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Chekhov.
Moribe misses with a hook.
Chekhov jabs Moribe to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Chekhov misses with a low kick as Moribe jumps back.
Chekhov's corner calls for a 1-2. Chekhov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Anton Chekhov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Chekhov throws a hook but Moribe blocks it.
Chekhov swings widly with a right hand
and Moribe counters with a leg kick.
Moribe fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Chekhov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Moribe throws the kick towards the body but Chekhov avoids it.
Chekhov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Moribe has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Chekhov.
Chekhov swinging wildly here.
Chekhov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Chekhov.
Chekhov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moribe thuds a left hand into Chekhov's body.
Moribe cracks Chekhov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Moribe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Chekhov. That did some damage!
Chekhov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Chekhov. Moribe does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice side step and Moribe releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moribe throws a half hearted mid kick.
Chekhov lands a nice shot to the body.

Moribe drives through and clinches with Chekhov against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Chekhov is trying to stall.
Moribe blocks an uppercut.
Chekhov lands a hook that snaps the head of Moribe backwards.
Chekhov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chekhov tries to work over Moribe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chekhov lands with a left to the head.
Chekhov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Moribe misses with a body punch.
Moribe tries to work over Chekhov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Chekhov.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Moribe blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Chekhov as the two fighters clinch.
Chekhov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chekhov swings wildly with an uppercut but Moribe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Moribe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Chekhov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moribe tries to work over Chekhov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Moribe is trying to maintain a safe position but Chekhov gets an underhook and turns Moribe into the cage.
Chekhov pushes Moribe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Chekhov struggles to land a body shot inside as Moribe controls his hands.
Moribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Moribe misses with a short punch on the inside.
Chekhov misses with a punch to the body.
Moribe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Chekhov backwards.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekhov blocks an uppercut.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Moribe.
Chekhov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moribe blocks a body shot from Chekhov.
Chekhov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Moribe blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chekhov.
Chekhov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Moribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Chekhov throws a head punch that misses.
Chekhov lands a nice uppercut.

Moribe is rocked!
Anton Chekhov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Moribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Moribe is still on wobbly legs! Can Chekhov finish him?
Chekhov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Chekhov misses with the head strike.
Chekhov effectively controlling the action here.
Chekhov swings wildly with an uppercut but Moribe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Moribe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Moribe seems to have recovered his senses.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Moribe avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Moribe.
Moribe pressing his opponent against the cage.
Chekhov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Moribe controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Chekhov gets through Moribe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Moribe can't find room to land a body shot as Chekhov controls the action.
Chekhov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Moribe's elbow.
Chekhov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chekhov misses with a body punch.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Moribe blocks it.
Chekhov misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Moribe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Moribe avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Chekhov as Moribe tries to tie him up.
Chekhov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Moribe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Moribe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Chekhov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Chekhov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!