PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Cole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rico Cole will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Koreshkov
vs
Cole

176 cm
28
157 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Koreshkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Rico Cole!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koreshkov walks into a jab.
Cole's jab looks to have found its range, popping Koreshkov under the eye.
Cole lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Koreshkov slips a jab from Cole.
And Koreshkov counters with a quick kick to the body but Cole blocks it.
Cole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cole goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cole scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cole lands a head shot.
Cole misses with a hook.
Cole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cole chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cole throws a head kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cole.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cole misses the jab.
Koreshkov throws a leg kick but Cole checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Koreshkov moves out of range as Cole throws a body kick.
Koreshkov slips a jab from Cole.
Koreshkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cole pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cole swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Koreshkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cole sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koreshkov slips under a jab from Cole.
Koreshkov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Cole looks to throw the jab but Koreshkov is out of range.
Rico Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cole.
Koreshkov with a poor takedown
and Cole counters with a nice body kick.
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Cole swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov misses with a hook. Cole ducked under it nicely.
Cole takes a swing at Koreshkov's ribcage but misses.
Koreshkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Koreshkov moves out of range of the strikes.

Koreshkov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cole tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cole regains half guard.
Koreshkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koreshkov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cole tries to get to full guard but Koreshkov has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov thows a huge punch but Cole dodges it nicely.

Koreshkov is trying to work for a kimura but Cole is defending well.
Koreshkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cole defending well though.
Koreshkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cole is looking for a sweep. Koreshkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Koreshkov is looking for a kimura but Cole is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koreshkov to get the leverage.
Koreshkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cole is looking for a sweep. Koreshkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Koreshkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Koreshkov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cole does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Koreshkov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Koreshkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cole with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Koreshkov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cole keeps working.
Cole trying to control here.
Koreshkov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Koreshkov winds up and cracks Cole with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Cole taking some punishment here, with Koreshkov in his half guard.
Cole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Koreshkov.
Koreshkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cole is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Koreshkov is trying to control. Cole wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Koreshkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Koreshkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koreshkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Koreshkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Koreshkov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Koreshkov slips under a jab from Cole.
Koreshkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cole throws a body punch but Koreshkov moves out of range.
Cole steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Koreshkov.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koreshkov.
A combination from Cole does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cole's coach down at ~T~ Troid - Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Cole's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Koreshkov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Koreshkov throws the left hand but Cole avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Cole.
Rico Cole seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cole swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Koreshkov.
Rico Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koreshkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cole loads up on a big right hand but Koreshkov slips the punch.
Koreshkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Koreshkov misses the target.
Cole swings for the body but Koreshkov moves out of range.
Cole throws a shot to the body.
Koreshkov connects with a single shot there.
Cole keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Koreshkov walks into a straight right hand from Cole.
Cole lands a jab.
Nice defenses there by Cole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Koreshkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Koreshkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cole thuds a left hand into Koreshkov's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole cracks Koreshkov with a good jab.
Cole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Koreshkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cole throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Koreshkov slips a straight right by Cole.
A punch lands to the side of Koreshkov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Cole lands a head kick!
Cole fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koreshkov manages to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Cole.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cole defending well as Koreshkov loads up on a big left hand.
Cole appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Koreshkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cole avoids it really well and circles away.
A nice side step and Cole releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Cole scores with a kick to the midsection.
Koreshkov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Koreshkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cole paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cole connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Koreshkov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cole counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Koreshkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cole defends well and Koreshkov ends up having to push Cole into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Koreshkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole leaves Koreshkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cole throws out a counter right but Koreshkov avoids it with no problem.
Koreshkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Cole lands a nice looking body shot.
Koreshkov avoids the head kick by Cole.
Cole connects with a body shot.
Cole stuffs the takedown attempt from Koreshkov. Koreshkov gets slowly back to his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cole! But no joy.
Cole swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Koreshkov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cole thows a leg kick but Koreshkov checks it
and Koreshkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Koreshkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Koreshkov ducks under a wild hook from Cole.
Koreshkov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cole is looking to slow Koreshkov down with leg kicks.
Koreshkov lands a nice hook to Cole's body. Cole takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Koreshkov. Cole does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cole fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koreshkov manages to avoid it.
Cole throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Cole scores with a hook.
A shot to the liver by Cole. Beautiful body shot.

Koreshkov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cole is trying to defend but Koreshkov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koreshkov working Cole over with strikes.
Cole wants to control but Koreshkov is keeping busy.
We've been hearing good reports from Koreshkov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Alexander Koreshkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole is pressing down on Koreshkov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Koreshkov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Koreshkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Cole utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koreshkov throwing strikes from guard but Cole blocks nicely.
Cole looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koreshkov is one step ahead there.
Koreshkov is working Cole over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Koreshkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Koreshkov trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Koreshkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koreshkov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Koreshkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cole's head.
Cole has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Koreshkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Koreshkov.
Cole is refusing to be controlled, as Koreshkov sits in half guard.
Koreshkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cole on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Koreshkov lands a nice short elbow.
Cole is trying to stand.
Koreshkov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Koreshkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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!
Cole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to control but Koreshkov is keeping busy.
Cole makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cole.
Cole wants to sweep here but Koreshkov controlling him for the moment.
Koreshkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Koreshkov postures up and lands a big shot to Cole's brow.
Koreshkov throwing strikes from guard but Cole blocks nicely.
Koreshkov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Koreshkov postures up and lands a big shot to Cole's brow.
Koreshkov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Koreshkov preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov cracks Cole with a solid left hand.

Cole is rocked!
Koreshkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cole is still in real trouble! Can Koreshkov finish him?
Koreshkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Koreshkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Koreshkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Cole keeps moving.
Cole is controlling Koreshkov's posture.
Cole looking to control.
Cole seems to have recovered his senses.
Koreshkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Koreshkov slips a jab from Cole.
Cole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Koreshkov.
Koreshkov lands a right hook to the body.
Koreshkov slips a straight right by Cole.
Cole looks to land a right hand but Koreshkov moved out of range.
Cole throws a body punch but Koreshkov moves out of range.
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Koreshkov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cole.
Koreshkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Cole tries to sprawl out of it but Koreshkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cole 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.
Koreshkov looks to throw the jab but Cole is out of range.
Cole misses with a straight right.
Koreshkov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Koreshkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koreshkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Cole is just out of range.

Koreshkov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Koreshkov wants to control but Cole is keeping him busy.
Cole tries to improve position but can't.
Koreshkov lands a few punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to control but Koreshkov postures up.
Cole manages to get back to half guard.
Cole is trying to maintain the position but Koreshkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Koreshkov with the ground and pound but Cole uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Cole keeping moving, preventing Koreshkov from controlling successfully.
Koreshkov throws an elbow that misses. Cole uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Koreshkov's guard. Nice move by Cole!

Koreshkov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koreshkov trying to keep a closed guard but Cole is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cole must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cole trying to control the position from guard on top but Koreshkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koreshkov wants to hit a switch here but Cole passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Koreshkov there!
Koreshkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Koreshkov can't escape the position.
Koreshkov tries to hold on but Cole postures up.
Koreshkov working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov tries to hold on but Cole pushes him away.
Cole controlling from mount.
Koreshkov is squirming around, avoiding Cole's attempts to control the action.
Koreshkov working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cole sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Cole trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Cole steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Koreshkov.

Koreshkov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cole tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Koreshkov is in Cole's guard.
Koreshkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cole is trying to keep Koreshkov in close.
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koreshkov landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole keeping moving, preventing Koreshkov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov lands a couple of elbows.
Cole looking for a sweep. Not yet Cole, not yet.
Koreshkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Koreshkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cole swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Koreshkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Cole has wrist control.
Koreshkov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Koreshkov lands a couple of elbows.
Cole is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov advances position into side control!
Koreshkov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Cole is looking to regain half guard here but Koreshkov keeps moving and retains side control.
Cole is not content to let Koreshkov control the position.
Koreshkov working the strikes but Cole uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Cole is looking for a sweep. Koreshkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Koreshkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cole's head.
Koreshkov throwing shots but Cole is blocking nicely.
Cole has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Koreshkov is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov lands strikes from half guard.
Koreshkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Cole is defending against the submission attempts here by Koreshkov.
Cole desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Koreshkov throwing shots but Cole is blocking nicely.
Koreshkov working the head and body with strikes.
Cole moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Koreshkov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koreshkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Koreshkov pushing down on Cole's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Koreshkov slips a nice elbow through Cole's hands, connecting with Cole's forehead.
Koreshkov prevents Cole from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Koreshkov connects with a nice short shot to Cole's temple.
Cole is trying to maintain the position but Koreshkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Koreshkov misses with a head shot. Cole uses the momentum to regain guard.
Alexander Koreshkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koreshkov pushing down on Cole's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Koreshkov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cole 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Rico Cole!
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Rico Cole!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Alexander Koreshkov!

Rico Cole wins by split decision!
Rico Cole is the new lightweight champion!