PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between TJ Hearts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Koreshkov's choice of entrance music: Beyoncé - 7/11. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Hearts
vs
Koreshkov

182 cm
21
211 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
215 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition 160Q with Proof
Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, TJ Hearts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrey Koreshkov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hearts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Koreshkov.
Koreshkov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hearts is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Koreshkov fails to land the takedown.
Hearts appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Andrey Koreshkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koreshkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hearts swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Koreshkov rushes Hearts and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Hearts.
A short right from Hearts on the inside.
Koreshkov effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov is trying to drag Hearts to the mat but Hearts just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
TJ Hearts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Koreshkov.
Hearts tries a body shot but Koreshkov blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hearts can't find room to land a body shot as Koreshkov controls the action.
Koreshkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hearts after a bit of a struggle.

Hearts breaks the clinch.
Hearts loads up on a big right hand but Koreshkov slips the punch.
Koreshkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hearts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Koreshkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hearts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koreshkov.
Koreshkov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Koreshkov scoring well with a low kick there.

Koreshkov has managed to clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hearts.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hearts.
Hearts tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Koreshkov's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearts misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hearts as Koreshkov tries to tie him up.
Hearts has Koreshkov pressed against the cage.
Hearts will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Koreshkov up against the cage.
Koreshkov has Hearts pressed against the cage.
Hearts tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hearts tries to work over Koreshkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hearts lands a right hand that snaps the head of Koreshkov backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov blocks a body shot from Hearts.
Koreshkov is struggling to control the position.
Hearts misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hearts scores with a shoulder strike.
Koreshkov lands with a left to the head.
Koreshkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hearts just stands there and leans against the cage.
Koreshkov tries to pull guard but Hearts won't allow it.

Koreshkov jumps guard.
Hearts stays in close to Koreshkov's body and controls the position.

Koreshkov is looking for a triangle but Hearts pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koreshkov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hearts can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hearts tries to free his leg and advance position but Koreshkov is retaining full guard.

Koreshkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hearts controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Koreshkov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hearts stacks Koreshkov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hearts!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Hearts dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Koreshkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hearts circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koreshkov is defended easily by Hearts.
Hearts throws out a loose jab but Koreshkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hearts misses with a body shot.
Hearts connects with a right hand. Koreshkov shakes it off.
Koreshkov tries to clinch there but Hearts circles away.
Koreshkov misses with a takedown
and Hearts counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hearts swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hearts connects with a good right hand that stumbles Koreshkov. Koreshkov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hearts keeps the fight on the outside.
Hearts feinted with a counter takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Koreshkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov moves in looking to clinch but Hearts pushes him off.
Hearts throws a right hand that Koreshkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Koreshkov also avoids with ease.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Koreshkov closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Hearts counter with a right hand.
Hearts throws a shot from downtown. Koreshkov moves away and avoids it.
Hearts listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hearts cracks Koreshkov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Koreshkov wants to clinch
and Hearts counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Koreshkov thinking.
Koreshkov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Hearts shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Koreshkov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koreshkov tries to bench press Hearts off him but Hearts keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov is trying to escape the position but Hearts is controlling the position.
Hearts trying to control the action but Koreshkov is working from the bottom.
Koreshkov gets back to half guard.
Hearts sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hearts is keen to just control but Koreshkov is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hearts in particular looking to stall.
Hearts seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Koreshkov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov trying to control from the bottom.
Koreshkov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Koreshkov wants to sweep here but Hearts controlling him for the moment.
Hearts sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hearts content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hearts distracts Koreshkov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hearts sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Koreshkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hearts gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koreshkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hearts manages to get himself to full guard.

Koreshkov advances position into side control!

Koreshkov is trying to get an arm triangle but Hearts is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hearts is trying to improve his position.

Koreshkov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Hearts dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Koreshkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hearts.
Koreshkov moves in looking to clinch but Hearts pushes him off.
Koreshkov tries to clinch up but Hearts circles away and keeps his distance.
Hearts scores with a nice right hand.
Hearts tries to work over Koreshkov's front leg with a kick but Koreshkov checks it.
Koreshkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hearts swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Hearts misses the target.
Koreshkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hearts.
Koreshkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Koreshkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearts stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
TJ Hearts is winning the standup battle so far.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hearts.
Koreshkov looking for a sweep but Hearts has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Hearts controlling from mount.
Koreshkov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearts avoids the attempt from Koreshkov to control.
Hearts punishing his opponent with strikes.
Koreshkov gets back to half guard.
Hearts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koreshkov can do to turn this around?
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hearts in particular looking to stall.
Koreshkov wants to improve his position but Hearts is controlling well.
Koreshkov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Hearts has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koreshkov is desperately trying to improve his position but Hearts has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearts landing strikes, looking to finish!
Hearts punishing his opponent with strikes.
TJ Hearts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Koreshkov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hearts is landing with some decent strikes but Koreshkov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hearts looking to control but Koreshkov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Koreshkov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Koreshkov is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearts dominating with strikes here.
Koreshkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Hearts controlling the position easily from mount.
Koreshkov is working to get back to half guard.
Hearts with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Koreshkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Hearts clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hearts lands with a shot to the body.

Koreshkov forces Hearts back against the cage and clinches.
Hearts tries a body shot but Koreshkov blocks it.
Hearts misses with some punches.
Koreshkov tries to pull guard but Hearts holds him up against the cage and eventually Koreshkov drops back down to his feet.

Hearts breaks the clinch.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but Hearts moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hearts manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hearts scores with a jab to the body.
Koreshkov moves in looking to clinch but Hearts pushes him off.
Koreshkov tries to clinch up.
A quick step to the side and Hearts tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearts throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Koreshkov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hearts scores with a shot to the body.
Hearts circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hearts counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hearts misses with a double jab.
Koreshkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Koreshkov is looking to clinch but Hearts is avoiding it.
Hearts swats away the attempt to clinch by Koreshkov.
Hearts drops down looking for a counter takedown but Koreshkov sprawls and moves away.

Koreshkov takes the fight into the clinch.

Hearts escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearts throws a jab when Koreshkov was well out of range.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Koreshkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Koreshkov wants to clinch but Hearts slips to the side
and Hearts counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hearts throws a poor cross that misses
and Koreshkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hearts works Koreshkov's body with a nice hook.
Hearts with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Koreshkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Hearts manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Koreshkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hearts darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Koreshkov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hearts swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Donk. Hearts catches Koreshkov right on the button with a cross.
Hearts swats away the attempt to clinch by Koreshkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearts misses with the combination.
Koreshkov moves in looking to clinch but Hearts pushes him off.
Koreshkov tries to clinch but Hearts moves out of range.
Koreshkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hearts swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circling - Hearts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Koreshkov is looking to clinch but Hearts is avoiding it.
Hearts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Koreshkov staying out of range there.

Hearts closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Koreshkov to the mat! Koreshkov manages to get full guard.
Hearts scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hearts keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Koreshkov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearts pushes down on Koreshkov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hearts with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Koreshkov trying to hold on to Hearts's head to control him but Hearts postures up.
Koreshkov manages to get to full guard.
Koreshkov trying to control the position.
Hearts controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TJ Hearts had his way with Andrey Koreshkov in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Koreshkov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hearts throws an overhand right that lands on Koreshkov's shoulder, as Koreshkov tries to avoid the shot.
Hearts avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hearts darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Koreshkov fails with the takedown.
Hearts throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Koreshkov on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hearts looks to score with a jab to the body but Koreshkov is just out of range.
Hearts fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Koreshkov on the side of the head.
Hearts ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koreshkov moves away.
Hearts checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Hearts tries to sprawl out of it but Koreshkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hearts manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Koreshkov tries to clinch up.
Hearts misses with a low kick.
Hearts scores with a three punch combo!
Hearts throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Koreshkov's waist but Koreshkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hearts off to one side.
Koreshkov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hearts misses with an uppercut.
Hearts thows a left - swing and a miss!
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Hearts went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
TJ Hearts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
TJ Hearts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Koreshkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Koreshkov tries to clinch
and Hearts counters with a nice uppercut.
Koreshkov looks to clinch
and Hearts counters with a stiff right hand.
Hearts works over Koreshkov's head and body with a nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Koreshkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Koreshkov is trying to drag Hearts to the mat but Hearts just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Koreshkov trying to stall but Hearts improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearts doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hearts makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hearts tries to circle away but Koreshkov has him pinned against the cage.
Koreshkov is looking for a takedown.
Hearts throws a head punch that misses.
Koreshkov digs a right hand underneath Hearts's ribcage. Hearts let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four 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.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Koreshkov slows down the pace here.
Hearts scores with a shoulder strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
TJ Hearts showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hearts 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:45
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... TJ Hearts!
TJ Hearts is the new light heavyweight champion!
TJ Hearts decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.