PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Pedro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bashorov has chosen Hangar 18 as his entrance music. George Pedro had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Pedro
vs
Bashorov

176 cm
30
202 lbs
33 - 8 - 2

190 cm
34
194 lbs
28 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
Sully's Bar & Grill

Bullet Proof System
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Pedro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pedro clinches up against the cage.
Bashorov blocks a body shot from Pedro.
Bashorov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bashorov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bashorov.

Bashorov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pedro tries to clinch up but Bashorov circles away and keeps his distance.
Pedro uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bashorov.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut.
Jab, jab by Bashorov - just one landing.
Bashorov thows a left - swing and a miss!

Pedro instigates a clinch.
Bashorov lands with a right to the head.
Bashorov lands with a left to the head.
Bashorov throws a head punch that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Pedro tightens his grip and picks Bashorov up, before dumping him to the ground. Bashorov manages to land in guard.
Bashorov being controlled here, momentarily.

Bashorov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pedro lands a couple of elbows.
Bashorov seems keen to control Pedro's posture.
Pedro is in close to Bashorov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pedro scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bashorov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Ryōzanpaku Dojo. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Pedro controlling from the top position.

Bashorov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pedro landing some decent shots from guard.
Pedro is in close to Bashorov's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bashorov working for a triangle but Pedro defends it easily.
Pedro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pedro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bashorov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pedro trying to control but Bashorov is working from the bottom.
Pedro looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro stopping the sweep attempt from Bashorov.
Bashorov is trying to control the position but Pedro postures up.

Bashorov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pedro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pedro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pedro preventing the sweep.
Bashorov working a defensive guard here.
Bashorov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pedro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bashorov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pedro looking for a sweep. Not yet Pedro, not yet.
Pedro is pulling down on Bashorov's head. It's preventing any offense from Bashorov, at least for the moment.
Bashorov throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pedro is trying to keep Bashorov in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Karim Bashorov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The crowd cheers as Bashorov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Pedro doesn't seem phased though.
Bashorov connects with a crisp jab.
The fighters circling - Bashorov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
As Bashorov tries to get set, Pedro tries to push him back and clinch up but Bashorov manages to avoid the attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - Bashorov scores with a four punch combination!
Bashorov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pedro just misses with a punch to the body.
Bashorov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bashorov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Pedro connects with the punch.
Pedro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bashorov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Pedro clinches up against the cage.
I was talking to Pedro's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bashorov working aggressively here.
Pedro tries to throw a body punch but Bashorov avoids it by throwing Pedro back against the cage.
Bashorov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pedro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bashorov wants to take the fight to the mat but Pedro manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pedro can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.
Pedro has a couple of punches blocked by Bashorov.
Bashorov lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Bashorov.
Pedro misses with a hook to the ribs.

Pedro lands a takedown into guard.
Pedro looking to pass the guard.
Bashorov keeping moving, preventing Pedro from controlling successfully.
Bashorov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bashorov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pedro defends well.
Pedro wants to control from the top but Bashorov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pedro's guard.

Pedro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bashorov is one step ahead there.
Bashorov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pedro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pedro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
George Pedro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pedro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bashorov is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedro seems keen to control Bashorov's posture.
Bashorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Pedro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pedro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bashorov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pedro controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Bashorov postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bashorov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pedro as he jumps to the side.
George Pedro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Pedro slaps away a takedown attempt from Bashorov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pedro darts in looking for a takedown but Bashorov gets double underhooks and turns Pedro into the cage.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Pedro moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pedro lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bashorov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bashorov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pedro misses with a low kick.
Bashorov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Pedro swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bashorov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bashorov works the jab nicely.
Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pedro throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Karim Bashorov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bashorov takes a swing at Pedro's ribcage but misses.
Bashorov throws a hook to the side of Pedro's head but Pedro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bashorov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Pedro throws the left hand but Bashorov avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Bashorov misses.
Pedro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Some wild striking there from Bashorov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bashorov blocks the body kick.
Bashorov digs a good body shot into Pedro's ribs.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pedro.
A head kick misses from Pedro.
Bashorov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Pedro is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bashorov.
Pedro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bashorov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bashorov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pedro avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bashorov.
Bashorov 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.
Pedro tries to roll over but Bashorov keeps him under control.
Pedro is staying active underneath Bashorov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pedro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro wants to improve his position but Bashorov is controlling well.
Pedro is trying to maintain the position but Bashorov is very close to passing his half guard.

Bashorov is looking for a kimura here.
Pedro is trying to maintain the position but Bashorov is very close to passing his half guard.
Bashorov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bashorov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Bashorov is looking for a kimura here.
Bashorov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bashorov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pedro keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Pedro wants to get back to full guard.

Bashorov is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Pedro is controlling Bashorov's trapped leg to prevent Bashorov from advancing to side control.
Pedro is trying to get back to full guard.
Bashorov is looking to take a break and control but Pedro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bashorov moves out of range as Pedro throws a body kick.
Bashorov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pedro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bashorov lands a jab to the nose.
Bashorov throws a shot to the body.
Bashorov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pedro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A jab lands there for Bashorov.
George Pedro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pedro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pedro just misses with a punch to the body.
Pedro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pedro throws a one two combo.
Bashorov with a nice cross.
A combination from Bashorov does no damage.
Pedro throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Bashorov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Pedro was covering up waiting for the punch and Bashorov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Pedro is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov really 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.

Bashorov lands with a shot to the body.
Pedro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.

Pedro dives in and scores a takedown into Bashorov's guard.
Pedro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bashorov 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.
Pedro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pedro is looking to work some ground and pound but Bashorov has wrist control.
Pedro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Pedro avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pedro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro cracks Bashorov with a solid left hand.
Pedro trying to control but Bashorov is working from the bottom.
Bashorov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pedro controls the pace.

Bashorov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pedro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pedro is working Bashorov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

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.
Pedro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Bashorov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pedro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pedro works over Bashorov with some ground and pound from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pedro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pedro landing with the ground and pound.
Pedro stopping the sweep attempt from Bashorov.
Pedro trying to control the position from guard on top but Bashorov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pedro manages to get himself to full guard.

Pedro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bashorov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pedro is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
Pedro wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Pedro looking for a sweep. Not yet Pedro, not yet.
Pedro keeping full guard, as Bashorov tries to pass.
Pedro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bashorov trying to control but Pedro is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pedro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The fighters circling - Bashorov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pedro lunges at Bashorov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bashorov's hand.
Bashorov lands a slapping body shot.
Pedro misses the shot to the body.
Pedro throws a body shot but no joy.
Bashorov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pedro manages to avoid it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A swing and a miss from Pedro.
Pedro tries to move into range but Bashorov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Pedro gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bashorov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bashorov misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that George Pedro will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pedro is looking to clinch but Bashorov is avoiding it.
Pedro looks to clinch
and Bashorov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pedro thinking.
Pedro lands with a shot to the body.
Bashorov lands a jab to the head.
Bashorov lands with a right hand.
Bashorov throws out a loose jab but Pedro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pedro is looking to wear down Bashorov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bashorov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pedro.
Pedro 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 takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pedro misses with the body kick
and Bashorov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Pedro moves out of range.
Pedro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bashorov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bashorov.
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!
Pedro takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bashorov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Pedro's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedro on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Pedro manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bashorov's best efforts.
Pedro trying to control but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bashorov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pedro keeps working.
Pedro is looking for a sweep. Bashorov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pedro trying to control but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov is trying to control the action in half guard but Pedro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
George Pedro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bashorov is controlling the pace.

Bashorov wants to work for an arm triangle but Pedro is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pedro wants to control but Bashorov is keeping busy.
Bashorov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pedro knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pedro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pedro throws a sloppy head kick and Bashorov moves out of range easily.
Bashorov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bashorov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pedro as he jumps to the side.
Pedro throws a combination that misses
and Bashorov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Pedro moves to clinch but Bashorov breaks away

and Bashorov counters with a single leg into guard. Pedro didn't expect that.
Pedro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bashorov.
Pedro is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov landing with the ground and pound.
Pedro wants to hit a switch here but Bashorov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pedro there!
Karim Bashorov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pedro is bucking up trying to escape but Bashorov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bashorov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee warns Pedro that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pedro wants to hold on but Bashorov pushes him away.
Bashorov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bashorov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pedro wants to hold on but Bashorov pushes him away.
Pedro is trying desperately to improve position.
Bashorov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karim Bashorov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bashorov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karim Bashorov!
During a confident post fight interview, Karim Bashorov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.