PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dax Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bashorov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Hangar 18 kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Miller
vs
Bashorov

185 cm
25
190 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

190 cm
29
194 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

AnonymouS

Mohito Fightwear
GREEN!160

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dax Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller misses with a straight left.
Bashorov lunges at Miller with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Miller's hand.
Bashorov lands with a hook. Miller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
Miller takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bashorov slips a straight right by Miller.
Bashorov blocks the body kick.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Bashorov lands a glancing blow to the side of Miller's head.
Bashorov swings for the body but Miller moves out of range.
Miller throws a body kick that misses.
Miller cracks a nice hook into Bashorov's ribs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Miller, right into the meat.
Miller takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bashorov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Bashorov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Miller did well to prevent Bashorov getting side control.

Bashorov is trying to work for a kimura but Miller is defending well.
Bashorov passes into side control, despite Miller's attempt to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller dodges the ground and pound from Bashorov.
The ground and pound from Bashorov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Miller is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Miller is working hard here to advance position.

Bashorov tries for a kimura but Miller is defending well.
Miller tries to bench press Bashorov off him but Bashorov keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bashorov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Bashorov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Miller is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bashorov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Miller is avoiding damage well.
Bashorov trying to control the position but Miller is working away.
Bashorov takes a little break here. Miller wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Miller is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bashorov connects with a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bashorov is looking to take a break and control but Miller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miller is trying to control but can't.
Bashorov trying to control the action but Miller is working from the bottom.
Bashorov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bashorov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Miller defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Miller won't allow Bashorov to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miller wants to control but Bashorov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bashorov wants to pass to mount but Miller is defending the position.
Bashorov is still trying to improve position.
Bashorov working Miller over with strikes.
Bashorov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Bashorov is working for a submission of some sort.
Bashorov throws a strike but Miller avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Miller shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Miller throws an overhand right that lands on Bashorov's shoulder, as Bashorov tries to avoid the shot.
Bashorov moves out of range of the body kick from Miller.
Miller on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bashorov lands with an uppercut that bounces Miller off the cage and back into range.
Miller wants to slow Bashorov down by chopping away at his legs.
Miller misses with a looping right.
Miller throws a lazy right hand but Bashorov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Miller connects with an inside leg kick.
Miller drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Miller throws the kick towards the body but Bashorov avoids it.
Miller 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 tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Miller defends well and Bashorov ends up having to push Miller into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bashorov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Miller is looking to chop away at Bashorov's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Miller.
Miller will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Bashorov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bashorov showed some decent athleticism there.

Miller has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bashorov is on him like a limpet, forcing Miller back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bashorov successfully pulls guard.
Miller stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bashorov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bashorov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Miller doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Miller manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bashorov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Miller wants to control from the top but Bashorov keeps moving.
Bashorov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bashorov is looking for a triangle but Miller pushes his legs off easily.

Bashorov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bashorov wants to sweep but no luck.
Miller passes Bashorov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bashorov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Miller controls the pace.
Bashorov trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
Bashorov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bashorov is on top in guard.

Bashorov tries to free his leg and advance position but Miller is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bashorov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov postures up and lands a big shot to Miller's brow.
Miller looking to control.
Bashorov looking to pass the guard.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Bashorov from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miller keeping full guard, as Bashorov tries to pass.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bashorov trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Karim Bashorov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Miller thows a body kick. Bashorov tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Bashorov gets a takedown into half guard.

Miller kicks Bashorov off and gets back to his feet.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.
And Bashorov tries to counter it with a takedown but Miller pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Miller is looking to slow Bashorov down with leg kicks.
Bashorov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Miller throws a solid leg kick but Bashorov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Miller.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bashorov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Miller swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Miller avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dax Miller is winning the standup battle so far.
Bashorov shoots in for a takedown but Miller shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bashorov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov misses with a takedown attempt
and Miller counters with a straight right hand.
Miller throws a low kick, looking for Bashorov's leg but Bashorov calmly moves out of range.
Dax Miller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miller avoids the body shot from Bashorov.
Miller throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Miller throws a right hand that Bashorov ducks under and follows up with a left that Bashorov also avoids with ease.
Bashorov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bashorov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Miller.
Miller misses with a low kick.
Bashorov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Miller swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Miller tries to work over Bashorov's front leg with a kick but Bashorov checks it.
Miller misses the jab.
Miller throws a lazy uppercut
and Bashorov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miller thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bashorov if he has to take too many more of those.
A big right from Miller misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bashorov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller blocks a jab.
Bashorov throws a jab but it's blocked by Miller.
Miller appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A low kick from Miller is predictable there
and Bashorov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Miller misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bashorov throws a hook but Miller blocks it.
Miller lands with a good body shot.
Miller feints and then cracks Bashorov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bashorov down.
A thudding body kick lands there by Miller!
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.
Bashorov swings for the body but Miller moves out of range.
Bashorov misses the jab.
Bashorov throws a lazy right hand but Miller sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Miller misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov avoids the body shot from Miller.
Bashorov moves out of range as Miller strikes.
Miller tries a head kick but it misses.
Bashorov lands a glancing blow to the side of Miller's head.
Miller lands a leg kick that knocks Bashorov off balance momentarily.
Bashorov loads up on a big right hand but Miller slips the punch.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.
Bashorov throws a poor cross that misses
and Miller makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Dax Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bashorov slips under a jab from Miller.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Bashorov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bashorov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bashorov moves away.
Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy.
Bashorov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Miller is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Bashorov moves out of range of the body kick from Miller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Miller throws out the jab.
Bashorov misses with a hook.
Bashorov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Miller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashorov.
Bashorov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Nice jab there from Bashorov.
Jab from Bashorov.
Miller lands with a right hand.
Miller throws a nice looking combination but Bashorov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A low kick from Miller is predictable there
and Bashorov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Miller takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Bashorov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bashorov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bashorov throwing shots but missing, from side control.

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 Dax Miller.
I think Bashorov 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karim Bashorov!
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.
In defeat, Dax Miller stepped up to the mic, saying 'This loss will only make me better. '.