PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Korotkiy (ranked 2512 p4p, 224 weight class) and Stefan Harpik (ranked 2294 p4p, 212 weight class). Sergey Korotkiy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Korotkiy
vs
Harpik

195 cm
21
275 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

200 cm
26
270 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Korotkiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Stefan Harpik!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Chris Dean and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harpik shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Korotkiy misses with a wild body shot.
Harpik with a poor takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Harpik's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Korotkiy connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Harpik scrambles back to his feet.
Korotkiy scores with a decent looking hook.
Harpik displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Korotkiy throws out the jab.

Korotkiy gets caught napping as Harpik dives in and scores a takedown. Korotkiy manages to retain guard.
Korotkiy wants to sweep but no luck.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Harpik working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Harpik missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harpik trying to control the position from guard on top but Korotkiy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harpik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korotkiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harpik lands a couple of digs.
Harpik works over Korotkiy with some ground and pound from guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Korotkiy'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.
Korotkiy 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harpik throws a big right hand that misses.
Harpik throws a big right hand that misses.
Harpik scoring with punches to the head and body.
Harpik has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Harpik missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harpik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korotkiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Korotkiy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Korotkiy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Harpik is controlling him.
Harpik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korotkiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Korotkiy looking to control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Harpik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Harpik stays in close to Korotkiy's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Harpik slips a straight right by Korotkiy.
Harpik fails with a takedown attempt.
Sergey Korotkiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stefan Harpik.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harpik shoots in and drives through. Korotkiy sprawls well.
Harpik's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Korotkiy connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Harpik scrambles back to his feet.
Harpik misses with a takedown attempt
and Korotkiy counters with a three punch combo that has Harpik backing up. Harpik nods at Korotkiy to acknowledge the strikes.
Harpik shoots in for a takedown but Korotkiy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Korotkiy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Harpik shoots in but no luck this time.
Korotkiy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Harpik manages to avoid it.
Harpik tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Harpik fails with the takedown
and Korotkiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Harpik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Korotkiy's waist but Korotkiy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harpik off to one side.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Korotkiy lands a head shot.
Korotkiy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Harpik slips under a jab.
Korotkiy stuffs the takedown attempt from Harpik. Harpik gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korotkiy throws a hook but Harpik avoids it easily.
Harpik closes the distance and clinches up with Korotkiy, looking for a takedown. Harpik pushes Korotkiy against the cage but Korotkiy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Korotkiy tries to sprawl but Harpik drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Harpik throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Korotkiy wants to get back to full guard.
Harpik is looking to take a break and control but Korotkiy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Korotkiy gets back to full guard.
Korotkiy has his hands on Harpik's head, controlling the position.
Harpik throws a big elbow that misses.
Korotkiy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harpik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Harpik cracks Korotkiy with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harpik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Harpik chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Harpik's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Harpik in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Harpik stops Korotkiy from standing up.
Harpik lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Korotkiy trying to keep a closed guard but Harpik is proving a slippery customer.
Korotkiy has his hands on Harpik's head, controlling the position.
Korotkiy's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Korotkiy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Korotkiy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Korotkiy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Harpik misses with a takedown
and Korotkiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Harpik shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Korotkiy as he avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Korotkiy misses the target.
Sergey Korotkiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stefan Harpik.
Harpik shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Korotkiy sprawls well. Korotkiy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harpik gets slowly back to his feet.
As Harpik looks to move away, Korotkiy throws a big counter combo but Harpik just gets out of the way.
Korotkiy lands with a hook. Harpik tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Harpik drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Korotkiy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Harpik.
Korotkiy wants to control but Harpik postures up.
Harpik lands some shots froms side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korotkiy tries to buck Harpik off but Harpik is having none of it.
Check out the look on Harpik's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Korotkiy managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Harpik.
Korotkiy is looking to regain half guard here but Harpik keeps moving and retains side control.
Korotkiy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Harpik thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Korotkiy's head.
Harpik missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Korotkiy taking some punishment here, with Harpik in his half guard.
Korotkiy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Harpik.
Korotkiy is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Harpik missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Harpik thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Korotkiy's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harpik is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Harpik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Harpik seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Korotkiy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Harpik working over Korotkiy with some ground and pound. Korotkiy looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Korotkiy trying to control but Harpik postures up.
Harpik lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Harpik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Harpik winds up and cracks Korotkiy with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Korotkiy wants to control but Harpik is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Korotkiy manages to get to full guard.
Harpik is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harpik makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Harpik wants to control from the top but Korotkiy keeps moving.
Harpik throwing strikes from guard but Korotkiy blocks nicely.
Korotkiy is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Harpik wants to control from the top but Korotkiy keeps moving.
Harpik landing with the ground and pound.
Harpik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Korotkiy wants to sweep here but Harpik controlling him for the moment.
Harpik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korotkiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Harpik postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Harpik shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a stiff right hand.
Harpik darts in looking for a takedown but Korotkiy gets double underhooks and turns Harpik into the cage.
Harpik fails with the takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a nice uppercut.
Korotkiy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Harpik.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Korotkiy cracks Harpik with a right hand to the side of the head.
Harpik shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Korotkiy sprawls well. Korotkiy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harpik gets slowly back to his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Korotkiy misses its target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergey Korotkiy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Korotkiy jabs at Harpik's body.
Korotkiy slaps away a takedown attempt from Harpik, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Korotkiy stuffs the takedown.
Harpik darts in looking for a takedown but Korotkiy gets double underhooks and turns Harpik into the cage.
Sergey Korotkiy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stefan Harpik.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Harpik.
A little feinted left hand from Korotkiy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Korotkiy works Harpik's body with a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harpik fails to land the takedown.
Korotkiy's jab looks to have found its range, popping Harpik under the eye.
Harpik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Korotkiy stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harpik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Korotkiy cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Korotkiy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harpik can do to turn this around?
Korotkiy dips to his left and cracks Harpik with an uppercut!
Harpik doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Harpik tries for a takedown but Korotkiy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Korotkiy scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like Stefan Harpik has been cut.
Harpik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Korotkiy.
Harpik looks for a takedown but Korotkiy sprawls well.
Korotkiy scores with a sloppy right hand. Harpik should have avoided that one.
Korotkiy slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Korotkiy connects with a jab.
Korotkiy misses with an uppercut. Harpik saw that one coming.
Harpik is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sergey Korotkiy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stefan Harpik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harpik takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
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!
Harpik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Korotkiy to counter with a crisp jab.
Donk. Korotkiy catches Harpik right on the button with a cross.
Korotkiy leaves Harpik with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Harpik misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Korotkiy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Harpik fails with the takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Harpik.
Korotkiy appears to be looking for a big counter.
Harpik has his takedown stuffed
and Korotkiy counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korotkiy lands with a cross.
Sergey Korotkiy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Korotkiy misses the target.
Harpik has a takedown stuffed.
Harpik has his takedown stuffed
and Korotkiy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Korotkiy scores with a shot to the body.
A lazy left from Korotkiy finds it's target.
Korotkiy lands a really nice looking cross but Harpik seems unphased.
Korotkiy scores with a body shot.
Korotkiy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Harpik ducks right into an uppercut from Korotkiy.
Harpik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Harpik looks to move away, Korotkiy throws a big counter combo but Harpik just gets out of the way.
Korotkiy lands with a hook. Harpik tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Korotkiy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Korotkiy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Korotkiy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Korotkiy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harpik.
Korotkiy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Harpik.
Harpik misses with a takedown
and Korotkiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Harpik shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Harpik gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Korotkiy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Korotkiy scores with a body shot.
Stefan Harpik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harpik on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Harpik misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Korotkiy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Korotkiy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Korotkiy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergey Korotkiy!
After the fight, Sergey Korotkiy was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.