PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ned Richmond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashid Karimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rashid Karimov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ned Richmond's chin.

Richmond
vs
Karimov

200 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

172 cm
18
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ned Richmond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rashid Karimov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karimov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Richmond is trying to defend but Karimov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Karimov in particular looking to stall.
Richmond is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Richmond slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Karimov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karimov is looking to work some ground and pound but Richmond has wrist control.

Richmond working for a triangle but Karimov defends it easily.
Karimov content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Karimov stands up and waves to Richmond to follow him.

Karimov moves into the clinch.
Richmond has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Karimov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Karimov jumps guard and drags Richmond to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Karimov controlling Richmond's posture.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Karimov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karimov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Richmond is trying to keep an underhook but Karimov manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Karimov is working for a submission of some sort.
Karimov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Richmond defending well though.
Karimov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richmond keeps working.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Karimov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karimov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richmond is looking for a sweep. Karimov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Karimov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Richmond blocking the ground and pound attempt from Karimov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richmond is staying active underneath Karimov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Karimov is controlling the pace.
Karimov wants to pass to mount but Richmond is defending the position.

Karimov is trying to work for a kimura but Richmond is defending well.

Karimov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Richmond is just riding it out for now. Karimov eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Richmond is not content to let Karimov control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Richmond manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Richmond wants to sweep but no luck.
Richmond manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Karimov manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karimov wants to sweep but no luck.
Richmond missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Karimov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Richmond rushes Karimov and presses him up against the cage.
Richmond is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Karimov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Richmond is trying to keep an underhook but Karimov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Richmond manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Richmond trying to control the position.

Karimov stands up from Richmond's guard - Karimov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Karimov rushes Richmond and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richmond misses with an elbow over the top.
Richmond is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Karimov is defending well.
Richmond wants to stall.
A nice right hand lands inside from Karimov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Richmond.
Richmond wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Richmond breaks from the clinch.

Karimov pushes Richmond up against the cage in a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Richmond drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Karimov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Richmond is trying to break the clinch but Karimov has him pressed against the cage.

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

Karimov closes the distance and clinches.
Karimov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Richmond blocks it with crossed arms.
Karimov is stalling here.
Richmond is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ned Richmond. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richmond has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Karimov after a bit of a struggle.
Richmond pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Richmond wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Karimov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Richmond's efforts to push away.

Karimov pulls guard.
Karimov 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.
Karimov seems keen to control Richmond's posture.
Karimov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Karimov wants to control the position but Richmond says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karimov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are battling for position here. Karimov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Karimov is controlling Richmond's posture.

Richmond drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Karimov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Richmond has Karimov in his guard.

Karimov wants to control from the top but Richmond keeps moving.
Karimov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Richmond really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Karimov pushes down on Richmond's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond has a hand on Karimov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Karimov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Karimov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Richmond tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Karimov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karimov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Karimov punching from mount but Richmond doing a good job of avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashid Karimov 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Karimov lands a jab to Richmond's midsection.

Karimov clinches with his opponent.
Richmond wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Richmond is looking to break free of the clinch but Karimov has double underhooks.
Richmond has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Karimov after a bit of a struggle.
Richmond wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Richmond creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Karimov's defenses.
Richmond throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Richmond trying to land knees to the body.
Karimov tries to break the clinch but Richmond is controlling the position.
Karimov keeps control of Richmond as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karimov lands an uppercut.
Richmond wants to get back to striking at distance but Karimov won't allow it.
A left hand lands to the body for Karimov.
Karimov has Richmond pushed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Karimov gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karimov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Richmond's head.

Karimov escapes and gets back to his feet.

Karimov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Karimov leaning against his opponent.

Karimov pulls guard effortlessly.

Karimov wriggles free and stands up.

Karimov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Richmond manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Karimov throws a big right hand that misses.
Karimov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Karimov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karimov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Karimov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Richmond's head.

Karimov stands up from Richmond's guard - Karimov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Richmond tries to keep at a distance but Karimov has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karimov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Richmond regains guard immediately.
Karimov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Richmond is keeping the position for now.
Richmond looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karimov is one step ahead there.
Karimov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Richmond has an active guard here but Karimov has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond has a hand on Karimov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Karimov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Richmond reaches up to try and control the position but Karimov seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Richmond rolls and tries to escape and now Karimov has his back!

Richmond is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Karimov is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Karimov biding his time, looking for the opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashid Karimov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Karimov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashid Karimov!