PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Jose De Sucre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bashorov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Hangar 18. 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.

Bashorov
vs
Jose De Sucre

190 cm
36
194 lbs
33 - 6 - 2

190 cm
31
214 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Bullet Proof System

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 33 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Antonio Jose De Sucre!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashorov checks a leg kick nicely.
Bashorov throws a left and a right that both miss
and De Sucre counters with a nice uppercut.
Jab, jab by Bashorov - just one landing.
Bashorov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Sucre's waist but De Sucre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bashorov off to one side.
Bashorov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent De Sucre stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
De Sucre avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bashorov moves out of range as De Sucre throws a body kick.
De Sucre lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
De Sucre's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bashorov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! De Sucre scrambles back to his feet.
De Sucre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
De Sucre looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bashorov misses with the combination.
De Sucre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashorov.

Bashorov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bashorov working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Sucre gets back to half guard.
De Sucre is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bashorov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
De Sucre is doing well to control the position and prevent Bashorov from advancing to side control.
Bashorov working over De Sucre with some ground and pound. De Sucre looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
De Sucre is trying to stand back up but Bashorov is controlling him
De Sucre is looking to improve his position.
Bashorov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bashorov trying to control the action but De Sucre is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Sucre tries to kick Bashorov off in order to stand up. Bashorov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Bashorov trying to control the action but De Sucre is working from the bottom.
Bashorov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bashorov working away.
Bashorov lands a few punches from side control.
De Sucre tries to get back to half guard but can't.
De Sucre is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
De Sucre takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Sucre can't do much from the bottom here.
Bashorov trying to control the position but De Sucre is working away.
De Sucre is letting Bashorov control him for a moment.
Bashorov is looking to take a break and control but De Sucre is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bashorov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Sucre can't do much from the bottom here.
De Sucre is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bashorov prevents De Sucre from standing back up.
De Sucre wants to control but Bashorov is keeping busy.
De Sucre wants to improve his position but Bashorov is controlling well.
De Sucre wants to get back to full guard but Bashorov has mounted him!
Bashorov controlling his opponent.
Bashorov lands a heavy elbow.
Bashorov raining down shots from the mount!
Bashorov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

De Sucre misses with a looping right.
Bashorov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bashorov catches De Sucre with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bashorov cracks De Sucre with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Bashorov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bashorov takes a swing at De Sucre's ribcage but misses.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Sucre moves away.
Bashorov punishes De Sucre's body with a nice straight punch.
Good exchange - Bashorov coming out on top.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Bashorov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bashorov connects with a body shot that sends De Sucre's belly button to the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - De Sucre throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bashorov is looking to counter punch.
De Sucre throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bashorov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of De Sucre's head.
Bashorov scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Sucre misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. De Sucre does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bashorov avoids a kick to the body.
Bashorov blocks a low kick nicely.
Bashorov fails to land with a series of punches.
Antonio Jose De Sucre is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bashorov throws a shot to the body.
Bashorov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Sucre can do to turn this around?
Bashorov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before De Sucre has time to react.
Bashorov fails to land with a series of punches.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but De Sucre moves away.
De Sucre takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
De Sucre scores with a kick to the body.
De Sucre misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Bashorov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Sucre.
De Sucre displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bashorov throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Sucre ducks under a wild hook from Bashorov.
Bashorov avoids the head kick by De Sucre.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Bashorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Sucre cracks the inside of Bashorov's front leg.
Bashorov misses with a body punch
enabling De Sucre to counter with a crisp jab.
De Sucre takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bashorov. De Sucre does a little dance to reset his feet.
De Sucre only half commits to the counter leg kick.
De Sucre takes a body punch but keeps moving.
De Sucre fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bashorov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
De Sucre blocks a jab.
Bashorov ducks under a wild hook from De Sucre.
Bashorov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. De Sucre tries to avoid it but Bashorov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag De Sucre to the ground. De Sucre escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It looks like Bashorov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
De Sucre misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov swings for the body but De Sucre moves out of range.
De Sucre is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bashorov with a body shot.
Karim Bashorov is winning the standup battle so far.
De Sucre moves away from the strike by Bashorov.
Bashorov throws a shot from downtown. De Sucre moves away and avoids it.
Karim Bashorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Sucre lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bashorov circles away quickly and effectively.
Bashorov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from De Sucre.
Good exchange - De Sucre coming out on top.
Bashorov lands a nice shot that snaps De Sucre's head back.
Bashorov sizes up De Sucre with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bashorov misses with a jab to the body
and De Sucre counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bashorov misses with a shot to the body
and De Sucre counters with a nice uppercut.
Bashorov avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Bashorov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from De Sucre.
Bashorov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but De Sucre manages to avoid it.
Bashorov is looking to wear down De Sucre with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from De Sucre.
De Sucre cracks Bashorov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
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!
De Sucre uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
A looping hook to the body misses from De Sucre. Bashorov does a little dance to reset his feet.
De Sucre cracks the inside of Bashorov's front leg.
Bashorov looks to land a left hand but De Sucre moved out of range nicely.
Bashorov scores with a nice right hand.
Bashorov lands with a hook. De Sucre tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A left lands for De Sucre.
De Sucre tries to clinch but Bashorov moves out of range.
De Sucre throws a body punch but Bashorov moves out of range.
De Sucre stuns Bashorov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bashorov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bashorov cracks De Sucre with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

De Sucre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
De Sucre cracks Bashorov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bashorov or perhaps it was just good defense by De Sucre, which made it look bad.
De Sucre avoids the body shot from Bashorov.
De Sucre throws a body kick that misses
and Bashorov counters with a nice body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Bashorov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bashorov.
Nice defenses there by Bashorov.
Bashorov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bashorov throws a poor cross that misses
and De Sucre counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov misses with a straight right.
De Sucre throws a body punch but Bashorov moves out of range.
Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy.
A solid leg kick lands there for De Sucre.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice body punch from De Sucre.
Bashorov scores with a body shot.
De Sucre scores with a head kick.
De Sucre moves forwards but Bashorov connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Bashorov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
De Sucre is looking to escape.
Bashorov drops an elbow to the side of De Sucre's head.
De Sucre is concentrating on defense, preventing Bashorov from advancing position.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Sucre wants to get back to his feet.
Bashorov lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Sucre wants to control but Bashorov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bashorov drops an elbow to the side of De Sucre's head.
Bashorov passes to full mount!
Bashorov lands a nice shot to the head.
De Sucre is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
De Sucre is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
De Sucre is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bashorov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Bashorov prevents De Sucre from getting the reversal.
De Sucre is in a horrible position here. Bashorov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov content just to control the position here.
De Sucre is looking to get to half guard.
Bashorov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Bashorov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bashorov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. De Sucre looks a forlorn figure.
De Sucre really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bashorov 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.
Bashorov lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bashorov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bashorov lands a big elbow.
Bashorov with good strikes from the mount here!
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!
Bashorov breaks from De Sucre's wrist control and lands an elbow.
De Sucre takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Karim Bashorov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
De Sucre in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Bashorov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bashorov working De Sucre over with strikes here.

De Sucre is rocked!
Bashorov dominating with strikes here.
De Sucre is still in real trouble! Can Bashorov finish him?
Bashorov cracks De Sucre with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karim Bashorov!
Karim Bashorov retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Karim Bashorov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Antonio Jose De Sucre had this to say: 'My Father is yelling from the Heavens! I will not disappoint him again!'.