PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam Keene (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kochegarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Keene
vs
Kochegarov

160 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

169 cm
25
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sam Keene!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Kochegarov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Chris Dean and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Keene gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Keene working for a triangle but Kochegarov defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keene is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kochegarov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Keene dives on top into guard.

Keene trying to control the position from guard on top but Kochegarov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keene tries to free his leg and advance position but Kochegarov is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kochegarov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kochegarov wants to sweep here but Keene controlling him for the moment.
Kochegarov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keene drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Keene jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Keene slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kochegarov is trying to control Keene's posture but Keene avoids it.
Keene blocks the strikes from Kochegarov.

Keene working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Keene is trying to get an arm triangle but Kochegarov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keene trying to control the position but Kochegarov is working away.
Kochegarov is trying to escape the position but Keene is controlling the position.
Kochegarov is looking to reverse the position.

Keene is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kochegarov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kochegarov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kochegarov wants to improve his position but Keene is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kochegarov is refusing to be controlled, as Keene sits in half guard.
Kochegarov is looking to control Keene's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kochegarov avoid being mounted?
Kochegarov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Kochegarov looking for subs off his back but Keene has passed one foot through into half guard.

Keene looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Keene blocks the strikes from Kochegarov.

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

Keene is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kochegarov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Keene.

Keene is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Keene is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Keene dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kochegarov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kochegarov is working Keene over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Keene not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kochegarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ivan Kochegarov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Keene wants to sweep but no luck.
Kochegarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Keene is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kochegarov working some strikes from top position.
Keene looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kochegarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Keene looking for a guillotine here but Kochegarov defends easily.
Kochegarov is working Keene over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keene is trying to control the position but Kochegarov postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kochegarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kochegarov advances to half guard.
Keene has hold of Kochegarov's hands but Kochegarov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kochegarov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kochegarov wants to control but Keene is keeping him busy.
Keene trying to hold on to Kochegarov's head to control him but Kochegarov postures up.

Kochegarov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Keene moves into full guard.
Kochegarov wants to control from the top but Keene keeps moving.
Keene wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kochegarov trying to control but Keene is working from the bottom.
Keene looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kochegarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Keene is retaining full guard.
Kochegarov with a nice head shot there.
Kochegarov postures up and lands a big shot to Keene's brow.
Kochegarov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kochegarov wants to control from the top but Keene keeps moving.
Kochegarov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kochegarov working some strikes from top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Keene is on top in guard.

Kochegarov tries to strike from the bottom.
Keene trying to control but Kochegarov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kochegarov trying to strike off his back.

Kochegarov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Keene defends well.
Kochegarov keeping full guard, as Keene tries to pass.
Keene passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kochegarov is being controlled here.
Kochegarov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Keene's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Keene is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kochegarov sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kochegarov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Keene is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kochegarov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Keene.

Keene is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Keene is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kochegarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kochegarov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Keene has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kochegarov wants to pass the guard but Keene is keeping the position.
Kochegarov preventing the sweep.
Keene seems keen to control Kochegarov's posture.
Kochegarov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kochegarov scoring with some ground and pound.

Keene is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kochegarov scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kochegarov trying to control but Keene is working from the bottom.
Kochegarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kochegarov stands up over Keene, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Keene working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kochegarov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kochegarov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kochegarov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kochegarov is working Keene over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kochegarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kochegarov cracks Keene with a solid left hand.

Keene is rocked!
Keene can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kochegarov controls the pace.
Oh Keene is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kochegarov postures up and lands a big shot to Keene's brow.
Keene controls Kochegarov momentarily but Kochegarov frees himself.
Kochegarov landing with the ground and pound.
Kochegarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kochegarov wants to control from the top but Keene keeps moving.
Kochegarov with a nice head shot there.
Kochegarov slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kochegarov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Keene is looking for a sweep. Kochegarov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kochegarov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kochegarov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Keene trying to control here.
Kochegarov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Keene wants to get back to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kochegarov trying to mount his opponent but Keene defends it.

Kochegarov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kochegarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kochegarov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Kochegarov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Keene has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kochegarov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Keene actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kochegarov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kochegarov trying to control from half guard but Keene is working away.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kochegarov is keen to just control but Keene is a slippery customer.
Kochegarov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kochegarov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kochegarov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Kochegarov is trying to work for a kimura but Keene is defending well.
Keene is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Keene looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Keene seems to have got his legs back now.
Kochegarov is thwarting Keene's attempts to control the position.
Kochegarov trying to control the action but Keene is working from the bottom.

Kochegarov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keene moves into full guard.

Keene looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Keene is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kochegarov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kochegarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kochegarov with a nice head shot there.
Kochegarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keene works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kochegarov wants to control from the top but Keene keeps moving.
Kochegarov landing with the ground and pound.
Sam Keene has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Kochegarov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kochegarov is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Kochegarov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kochegarov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight for Ivan Kochegarov!
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight for Ivan Kochegarov!
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight for Ivan Kochegarov!

Ivan Kochegarov wins by unanimous decision!