PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yoshiteru Goto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kharitonov has chosen BLUNT - Raggae All Day as his entrance music. Vladimir Kharitonov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Goto
vs
Kharitonov

173 cm
37
146 lbs
25 - 15 - 1

170 cm
38
142 lbs
32 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 25 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Yoshiteru Goto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Goto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Goto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kharitonov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kharitonov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Goto checks the leg kick nicely there.
Goto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kharitonov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kharitonov's coach down at LOD: Black Label was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kharitonov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Kharitonov throws a leg kick that misses.
Kharitonov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Goto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kharitonov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Goto is looking to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Kharitonov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kharitonov loads up on a big right hand but Goto slips the punch.
Goto half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kharitonov dives in for a single leg takedown but Goto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kharitonov shoots in looking for a takedown. Goto tries to sprawl out of it but Kharitonov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Goto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Goto tries to avoid it but Kharitonov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Goto to the ground. Goto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yoshiteru Goto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kharitonov.
Kharitonov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Goto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kharitonov cracks Goto with a good jab.
Goto stuffs the takedown attempt from Kharitonov. Kharitonov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kharitonov keeps the fight on the outside.
Goto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Kharitonov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
Goto chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kharitonov can pounce on him.
Kharitonov thumps Goto with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov swats away the attempt to clinch by Goto.
A telegraphed right hand from Kharitonov misses the target.
Kharitonov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Goto on the side of the head.
Goto moves in looking to clinch but Kharitonov pushes him off.
Goto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Goto tries to clinch there but Kharitonov circles away.
Kharitonov moves into range and connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Goto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kharitonov lands with a straight right. Goto didn't see that one coming.
Kharitonov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kharitonov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kharitonov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goto moves in looking to clinch but Kharitonov pushes him off.
Kharitonov misses with a straight left.
Goto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kharitonov throws a looping overhand right but Goto ducks down to avoid it.

Goto has Kharitonov up against the cage in a clinch.
Goto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Goto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Goto leaning his opponent against the cage.
Goto lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Goto's efforts to push away.
Come on Kharitonov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Kharitonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
Kharitonov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Goto swivels and escapes.
Kharitonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Goto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kharitonov keeps the fight on the outside.
A lazy left from Kharitonov finds it's target.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov is having none of it.
Goto is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kharitonov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kharitonov throws out a powerful jab.
Goto ducks under a wild hook from Kharitonov.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov is having none of it.
Kharitonov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Goto is rocked!
Kharitonov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Goto throwing a counter right hand but Kharitonov manages to avoid it.
Oh Goto is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Goto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kharitonov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Goto seems to have got his legs back now.
Kharitonov throws out a leg kick but Goto moves out of range and Kharitonov only half commits.
The fighters circling - Kharitonov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kharitonov throws a hook but Goto avoids it easily.
Goto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Goto tries to clinch up.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goto moves into the clinch successfully.
Goto avoiding damage.

Kharitonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Goto rushes Kharitonov and presses him up against the cage.
Goto lands with a short shot to the head.
Goto lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kharitonov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Goto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kharitonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Kharitonov pulls guard effortlessly.
Kharitonov is looking to stand up but Goto isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goto tries to free his leg and advance position but Kharitonov is retaining full guard.
Kharitonov wants to stand up but Goto is controlling him.
Kharitonov controls Goto momentarily but Goto frees himself.
Kharitonov wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kharitonov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Goto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Goto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Goto tries to clinch up but Kharitonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kharitonov misses with a straight left.
Goto is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Goto wants to clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

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.
Kharitonov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Goto moves forwards but Kharitonov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Goto tries to clinch up but Kharitonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kharitonov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kharitonov misses with a hook. Goto ducked under it nicely.
Goto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kharitonov scores with a jab. Goto acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Goto checks a low kick from Kharitonov.
A little feinted left hand from Goto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kharitonov missing with a left hand there. Goto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Goto checks a low kick from Kharitonov.
Goto looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Goto is looking to clinch.
Kharitonov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yoshiteru Goto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kharitonov.
Kharitonov lands a glancing blow to the side of Goto's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kharitonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Goto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Goto tries to clinch there but Kharitonov circles away.
Goto wants to clinch.

Goto moves into the clinch.
Kharitonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Goto working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kharitonov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goto's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Goto stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kharitonov pulls guard.
Goto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Goto wants to get up but he can't break Kharitonov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Goto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Goto wants to pass the guard but Kharitonov is keeping the position.
Kharitonov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Goto controls the pace.
Kharitonov wants to get back to his feet but Goto is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

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.
Kharitonov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kharitonov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Goto counters with a left to the body.
Goto tries to clinch there but Kharitonov circles away.
Kharitonov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice takedown defense from Goto. No joy for Kharitonov on that attempt.
Kharitonov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Goto under the eye.
Goto doesn't manage to clinch there - Kharitonov circles away.
Goto fails with an attempt to clinch.

Goto closes the distance and pushes Kharitonov back into the cage.
Goto throws a punch but it's blocked by Kharitonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov wants to take the fight to the mat but Goto manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kharitonov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yoshiteru Goto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kharitonov.
Kharitonov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Goto lands with a left to the head.
Goto is pushing Kharitonov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Goto tries to land knees in the clinch but Kharitonov avoids the damage to the body.
Vladimir Kharitonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Goto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kharitonov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Goto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Goto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kharitonov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Goto moves in looking to clinch but Kharitonov pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov fails with the takedown.
Kharitonov throws a hook to the side of Goto's head but Goto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Goto is looking to counter punch.
Kharitonov lands with a cross.
Kharitonov thuds his right hand into Goto's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
Goto tries to clinch up but Kharitonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kharitonov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Goto tries to clinch but Kharitonov is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kharitonov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Goto is fending him off so far but Kharitonov persists. Nope, Goto circles away and we're back to standing.
Goto was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Yoshiteru Goto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kharitonov swats away the attempt to clinch by Goto.

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 Yoshiteru Goto.
I think Kharitonov 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Kharitonov!
A relieved looking Vladimir Kharitonov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.