PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Chernokov (ranked 885 p4p, 109 weight class) and Emilio Rojas (ranked 1112 p4p, 140 weight class). Chernokov comes to the cage accompanied by Disaster strikes - Mushroom cloud. Alexei Chernokov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Chernokov
vs
Rojas

174 cm
35
165 lbs
27 - 20 - 2

175 cm
34
168 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class 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 27 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Chernokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emilio Rojas!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rojas throws a hook but Chernokov avoids it easily.
Chernokov ducks under a wild hook from Rojas.
Rojas tries to clinch there but Chernokov circles away.
Chernokov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Rojas forces Chernokov back against the cage and clinches.
Rojas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rojas.
Rojas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rojas swings wildly with an uppercut but Chernokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chernokov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.
Chernokov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rojas working aggressively here.
Chernokov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rojas blocks a body shot from Chernokov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas misses with a knee to the head.
Chernokov digs a right hand underneath Rojas's ribcage. Rojas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Chernokov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Chernokov lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rojas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chernokov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rojas lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Chernokov or not.
Chernokov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rojas throws an elbow but misses.
Rojas blocks a body shot from Chernokov.
Rojas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rojas misses with some punches.
Chernokov blocks an elbow strike.
Rojas scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chernokov.
Rojas throws a punch but it's blocked by Chernokov.
Rojas tries to work over Chernokov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Chernokov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Chernokov misses with a body shot.
Chernokov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Chernokov keeps the fight on the outside.
Chernokov misses with a series of wild punches.
Rojas throws a right hand that Chernokov ducks under and follows up with a left that Chernokov also avoids with ease.
Rojas has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Emilio Rojas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rojas scores with a hook to the body. Chernokov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojas tries to land a body kick
and Chernokov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rojas changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Chernokov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Chernokov blocks the body kick.
Rojas cracks Chernokov with an open hand slap.
Rojas lands a two punch combo.
Rojas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Chernokov throws out the jab.
A punch combination from Rojas misses.
Rojas with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Chernokov looks to throw the jab but Rojas is out of range.
Rojas lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A jab from Chernokov misses.

Rojas closes the distance and clinches.
Chernokov throws a punch but it's blocked by Rojas.
Chernokov lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Rojas.
Chernokov can't find room to land a body shot as Rojas controls the action.
Rojas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Chernokovs head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rojas.
Rojas lands a nice uppercut.
Chernokov misses with some punches.
Chernokov blocks an uppercut.
Chernokov blocking some punches.
Rojas throws a punch but it's blocked by Chernokov.
A head punch on the inside from Rojas fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rojas.
Chernokov blocks an uppercut.
Chernokov throws a punch but it's blocked by Rojas.
Chernokov blocking some punches.
Chernokov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Chernokov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.
Rojas tries to work over Chernokov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Chernokov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rojas.
Rojas scores with a shot to the side of Chernokov's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chernokov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chernokov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rojas misses with the head strike.
Chernokov keeps control of Rojas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chernokov blocks a body shot from Rojas.
Chernokov throws a head punch that misses.
Chernokov has a couple of punches blocked by Rojas.
Rojas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Rojas scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rojas lands a nice elbow.
Chernokov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chernokov fails to pull guard.
Rojas swings wildly with an uppercut but Chernokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chernokov blocks an uppercut.
Chernokov has a couple of punches blocked by Rojas.
Rojas tries to break free but Chernokov pushes him back against the cage.
Chernokov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Chernokov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chernokov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

It looks like Emilio Rojas has been cut.
Chernokov moves out of range of the strikes.
Rojas with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Chernokov to score with a decent uppercut.

Rojas is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Rojas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Emilio Rojas's cut.
That's time! Chernokov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rojas misses with an uppercut. Chernokov saw that one coming.
Rojas is still on wobbly legs! Can Chernokov finish him?
Emilio Rojas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Rojas misses.
Chernokov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rojas.
Chernokov blocks a jab.
Rojas seems to have recovered his senses.
Chernokov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rojas connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Chernokov scrambles back to his feet.
Chernokov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rojas throws a chopping leg kick but Chernokov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Rojas misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Chernokov.
Rojas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rojas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Chernokov.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rojas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rojas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rojas plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
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!
Rojas connects with a single shot there.
Chernokov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rojas fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rojas throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Chernokov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Chernokov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Chernokov takes one to the chin there.
Rojas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chernokov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Chernokov digs a good hook to Rojas's body.
Chernokov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rojas listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A jab from Chernokov misses.
Rojas looks to throw the jab but Chernokov is out of range.
Rojas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rojas is looking to chop away at Chernokov's legs.

Chernokov gets a takedown into half guard.
Rojas wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov lands with a punch from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rojas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chernokov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rojas taking some punishment here, with Chernokov in his half guard.
Chernokov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rojas wants to get back to his feet.
Chernokov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rojas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas wants to get back to his feet.
Rojas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Chernokov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Chernokov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Chernokov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rojas looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rojas has hold of Chernokov's hands but Chernokov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Chernokov is trying to control the action in half guard but Rojas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Chernokov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rojas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Alexei Chernokov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rojas pushes Chernokov off looking to stand but Chernokov dives back in and keeps control.
Chernokov is looking to advance position but Rojas won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chernokov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rojas defending well though.

Rojas is defending against the submission attempts here by Chernokov.

Chernokov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Chernokov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rojas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Chernokov.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Chernokov connects with a nice short shot to Rojas's temple.
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 Alexei Chernokov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Emilio Rojas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Chernokov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rojas cracks Chernokov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rojas throws a nice looking combination but Chernokov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rojas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Chernokov's head.
Rojas moves out of range of the strikes.
Rojas throws a jab but it's blocked by Chernokov.
Chernokov is looking to counter punch.
Rojas tests Chernokov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rojas throws a hook to the side of Chernokov's head but Chernokov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rojas slips a jab and a cross from Chernokov.
Chernokov looks to land a left hand but Rojas moved out of range nicely.
Rojas misses with a straight right.
It looked like Chernokov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Chernokov, as that shot connected.
Chernokov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chernokov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rojas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chernokov circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas scores with a sloppy right hand. Chernokov should have avoided that one.
Chernokov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rojas was well out of range. Poor timing from Chernokov.
Rojas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chernokov was well out of range. Poor timing from Rojas.
Chernokov throws a hook but Rojas avoids it easily.
Rojas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rojas throws a shot from downtown. Chernokov moves away and avoids it.
Rojas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chernokov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chernokov connects with a crisp jab.
Rojas throws out a loose jab but Chernokov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Chernokov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Chernokov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rojas.
Chernokov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rojas.
Chernokov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chernokov attempts a counter takedown but Rojas avoids it well and moves away.
Rojas staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojas just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Chernokov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big left from Rojas misses.
Rojas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chernokov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A little feinted left hand from Chernokov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rojas moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chernokov throws a big shot that misses.
Chernokov slips a jab from Rojas.
Chernokov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rojas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Chernokov is out of range.
Chernokov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rojas is looking to clinch.
Rojas is looking to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Chernokov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rojas.
The crowd cheers as Rojas lands an impressive looking overhand right. Chernokov doesn't seem phased though.
Rojas misses with a body shot.
Chernokov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Rojas.

Rojas has closed the distance and engaged Chernokov in a clinch.
Chernokov lands a hook that snaps the head of Rojas backwards.

Chernokov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rojas comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rojas throws a right hand that Chernokov ducks under and follows up with a left that Chernokov also avoids with ease.
Chernokov slips a jab from Rojas.
A head kick misses from Rojas.
Rojas lands a head kick. Chernokov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Chernokov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rojas tries to clinch
and Chernokov counters with a big right hand! Oh Rojas is in trouble here! Chernokov follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexei Chernokov!
Alexei Chernokov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.