PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Chernishev (ranked 1414 p4p, 179 weight class) and Alexei Chernokov (ranked 1350 p4p, 167 weight class). Chernishev comes to the cage accompanied by MC Hovanskiy - Father in the building. Chernokov has chosen Disaster strikes - Mushroom cloud as his entrance music. Sergey Chernishev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chernishev
vs
Chernokov

173 cm
27
165 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

174 cm
31
165 lbs
19 - 13 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sergey Chernishev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Chernokov!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chernishev throws a looping overhand right but Chernokov ducks down to avoid it.
A nice side step and Chernokov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Chernishev throws a lazy uppercut

and Chernokov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Chernishev's guard.
Chernokov trying to control the position from guard on top but Chernishev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chernokov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chernokov throwing strikes but missing.
Chernokov working some strikes from top position.
Chernokov landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chernokov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chernishev looking for a sweep. Not yet Chernishev, not yet.
Chernokov is looking to work some ground and pound but Chernishev has wrist control.
Chernokov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chernishev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernokov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chernokov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chernokov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chernokov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chernokov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chernishev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Chernishev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chernishev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Chernokov stands up over Chernishev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Chernokov cracks Chernishev with a solid left hand.
Chernokov trying to control but Chernishev is working from the bottom.
Chernishev has control of Chernokov's left arm, preventing Chernokov from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernishev 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.
Chernishev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Chernokov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chernishev is keeping the position for now.
Chernokov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Chernokov won't allow Chernishev to sweep him here.
Chernokov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chernishev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chernokov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Chernishev keeping moving, preventing Chernokov from controlling successfully.
Chernokov is looking to work some ground and pound but Chernishev has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chernokov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chernishev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chernokov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Chernokov chips away with some ground and pound.
Chernokov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chernokov throwing strikes but missing.
Chernishev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Chernokov won't allow Chernishev to sweep him here.
Chernokov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Chernokov wants to control from the top but Chernishev keeps moving.
Chernishev controlling Chernokov's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernishev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chernokov is one step ahead there.
Chernokov throws an elbow that misses. Chernishev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chernokov's guard. Nice move by Chernishev!

Chernokov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chernishev postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chernokov keeping full guard, as Chernishev tries to pass.
Chernokov is trying to keep Chernishev in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Chernishev swinging wildly here.
Chernokov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Chernishev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Chernokov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Chernishev remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Chernokov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chernishev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Chernishev lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chernokov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Chernishev's best efforts.
Chernishev slips a nice elbow through Chernokov's hands, connecting with Chernokov's forehead.
Chernokov wants to control the action here but instead Chernishev manages to pass to full mount!
Chernokov working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernokov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Chernishev cracks Chernokov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Chernokov regains half guard.
Chernishev trying to control the action but Chernokov is working from the bottom.
Chernokov manages to get to full guard.
Chernishev looking to pass the guard.
Chernokov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernishev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Chernokov's head.
Chernishev trying to control but Chernokov is working from the bottom.
Chernokov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chernishev has hold of Chernokov's hands but Chernokov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Chernokov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chernokov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chernishev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chernishev taking some punishment here, with Chernokov in his half guard.
Chernokov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chernokov is trying to work for a kimura but Chernishev is defending well.
Chernokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Chernokov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chernishev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Chernishev is trying to keep Chernokov in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chernokov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chernokov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chernokov landing some decent shots from guard.
Chernishev has momentary wrist control but Chernokov slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov trying to control but Chernishev is working from the bottom.
Chernokov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chernishev wants to sweep but no luck.
Alexei Chernokov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chernishev is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chernokov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chernokov working some strikes from top position.
Chernishev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexei Chernokov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Chernokov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Chernokov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Chernokov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Chernishev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chernokov throws a shot from downtown. Chernishev moves away and avoids it.
Chernishev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Chernishev misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chernishev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Chernishev throws a right hand that misses
and Chernokov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Chernokov throws a right hand that Chernishev ducks under and follows up with a left that Chernishev also avoids with ease.
Chernishev tries to counter with a takedown but Chernokov is quick to defend against it.
Chernishev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chernishev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chernishev slips under a jab.
Chernishev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Chernishev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Chernishev.
Chernishev slips under a jab from Chernokov.
Chernokov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sergey Chernishev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Chernishev - that will leave a mark!
Chernishev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Chernishev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chernokov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chernishev somewhat.
A little jabbing left from Chernokov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sergey Chernishev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Chernishev tests Chernokov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Chernishev misses with a leg kick
and Chernokov counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chernishev tries a low kick but Chernokov avoids it.
Chernishev misses with a kick to the body
and Chernokov counters with a left to the body.
Chernishev throws a push kick but Chernokov slaps the foot to one side.
Chernokov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Good exchange - Chernokov coming out on top.
Chernishev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chernishev connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov misses with a body shot.
Chernishev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chernokov manages to avoid it.
Alexei Chernokov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chernishev missing with a left hand there. Chernokov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Chernishev throws a low kick but Chernokov avoids it.
Alexei Chernokov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Chernishev misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Chernokov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chernishev. Chernokov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chernokov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Chernokov throws a body shot but no joy.
Chernishev slips a jab and a cross from Chernokov.
Chernishev throws a leg kick
and Chernokov counters with a stiff right hand.
Chernishev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Chernokov counters with a left and a right that stings Chernishev.
Chernishev looks to score with a jab to the body but Chernokov is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Chernokov throws a hook to the side of Chernishev's head but Chernishev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Decent striking displayed by Chernokov there.
Chernishev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Chernokov.
Chernishev throws a solid leg kick but Chernokov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chernishev.
Chernishev misses with a straight right.
Chernishev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chernishev misses with a body shot.
Chernokov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chernishev.
Chernishev lands a body shot.
Chernokov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Chernokov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Chernokov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chernokov 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Chernokov!
Alexei Chernokov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.