PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Kostov (ranked 1926 p4p, 2234 weight class) and Ilya Muromets (ranked 278 p4p, 307 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kostov
vs
Muromets

185 cm
25
190
6 - 5 - 1

187 cm
26
199
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Bondi MMA 🏝️
HELLBENT

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Kostov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ilya Muromets!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kostov misses with a low kick.
Kostov misses with a wild body shot.
Kostov works Muromets's body with a nice hook.
Muromets takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kostov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muromets throws a head kick but Kostov moves out of range.
Kostov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muromets tries to clinch up but Kostov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kostov walks into a jab.
Kostov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muromets takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Muromets has Kostov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kostov lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muromets misses with a knee strike.
Kostov avoiding damage as Muromets throws knees to the body.
I was talking to Kostov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Muromets tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov misses with a punch on the inside.
Muromets misses with a body punch.
Kostov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Muromets blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov can't find room to land a body shot as Muromets controls the action.
Muromets misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muromets is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kostov is defending well for now.
Muromets misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kostov lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kostov fails to land.
Kostov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muromets lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kostov.
Muromets blocks an uppercut.
Muromets tries a body shot but Kostov blocks it.
Muromets swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Muromets lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Muromets tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostov avoids the damage to the body.
Kostov throws a head punch that misses.
Muromets prevents a body shot from Kostov.
Kostov swings wildly with an uppercut but Muromets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostov working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov avoiding damage as Muromets throws knees to the body.
Muromets looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Muromets with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Muromets told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muromets missing with knees to the body.
Kostov misses with a punch on the inside.
Muromets tries to land a knee to the head but Kostov blocks with his arms.
Kostov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kostov blocks the elbow strike.
Kostov working aggressively here.
Muromets blocking some punches.
Kostov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kostov struggles to land a body shot inside as Muromets controls his hands.
Kostov lands an uppercut.
Kostov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Kostov on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kostov.
Muromets tries to work over Kostov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muromets digs a right hand into Kostov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kostov's gas tank.
Muromets swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kostov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Muromets's elbow.
Kostov taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muromets using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kostov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short right from Kostov on the inside.
Kostov looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Muromets.
Kostov lands with a right to the head.
Kostov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kostov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Muromets doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Kostov.
Muromets trying to land knees to the body.
Kostov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muromets digs a right hand underneath Kostov's ribcage. Kostov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Muromets swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kostov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kostov taking a breather.
Kostov scores with a shot to the side of Muromets's head.

Muromets is rocked!
A head punch on the inside from Muromets fails to land.
Muromets is still on wobbly legs! Can Kostov finish him?
Muromets tries to work over Kostov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muromets seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Muromets throws a punch but it's blocked by Kostov.
Nice body punch from Muromets - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Muromets.
Kostov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kostov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Muromets tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Muromets blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Nice body punch from Kostov.
Muromets misses with some punches.
Nice elbow from Muromets.
Kostov working aggressively here.
Kostov gets through Muromets's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kostov misses with a body punch.
Muromets scores with a shot to the side of Kostov's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muromets using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kostov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kostov working aggressively here.
Muromets blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kostov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kostov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Muromets.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kostov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kostov looks to score with a jab to the body but Muromets is just out of range.
Muromets appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Muromets throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muromets tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kostov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pavel Kostov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muromets throws a head kick but Kostov moves out of range.
Muromets moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kostov throws a hook but Muromets avoids it easily.
Kostov cracks Muromets with a right hand to the side of the head.
Muromets is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kostov throws a hook to the side of Muromets's head but Muromets sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muromets tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kostov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Muromets misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Muromets tries to clinch there but Kostov circles away.
Kostov circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muromets fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kostov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Muromets on the side of the head.
A low kick lands for Kostov.
Muromets wants to clinch.
Kostov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Muromets gets a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kostov.
Muromets tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Muromets misses with some punches.
Muromets with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kostov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Muromets throws an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muromets is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kostov is defending well for now.
Muromets blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kostov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Muromets misses with the head strike.
Muromets lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kostov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kostov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kostov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kostov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kostov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Muromets throws a head punch that misses.
Pavel Kostov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kostov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A shot in the inside from Kostov.
A right hand to the body from Kostov.
Muromets misses with a punch to the body.
Muromets misses with a punch to the body.
Kostov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Muromets is keeping busy.
Muromets lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kostov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Muromets is breathing heavily.
A nice left hand lands by Kostov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
With the fighters up against the cage, Muromets throws an elbow but misses.
The referee calls for Kostov to work.
Muromets swings wildly with an uppercut but Kostov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muromets misses with some punches.
Muromets lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kostov.
Kostov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Murometss head.
Muromets misses with an elbow strike.
Muromets using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kostov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kostov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Muromets softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Muromets tries to work over Kostov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kostov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muromets can do to turn this around?
Muromets lands a shot to the body.
Kostov is leaning against Muromets and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Muromets misses with a knee strike.
Muromets working aggressively here.
Muromets is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kostov is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostov lands with a right to the head.
Kostov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
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!
Muromets blocks a body shot from Kostov.
Kostov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Muromets lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kostov stalls.
Kostov throws a punch but it's blocked by Muromets.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kostov.
Kostov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kostov is trying to maintain a safe position but Muromets gets an underhook and turns Kostov into the cage.
Muromets doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Muromets throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kostov blocking some punches.
Kostov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Muromets tries a knee to the head but Kostov blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Kostov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Muromets goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kostov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Muromets gets tackled into the cage by Kostov. Kostov maintains the clinch.
Muromets misses with an elbow over the top.
Muromets blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kostov scores with a hook to the body.
Muromets misses with a punch on the inside.
Kostov cracks Muromets with a nice body shot.
Kostov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Kostov lands an uppercut.
Kostov blocks an elbow strike from Muromets.
A head punch on the inside from Muromets fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kostov.
Muromets misses with some punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kostov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov slows down the pace here.
Muromets with a knee to the head.
Kostov is looking to control Muromets's arms but Muromets gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kostov has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov prevents a body shot from Muromets.
A right hook to the body lands for Kostov.
Muromets takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muromets blocking some punches.
Kostov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Muromets throws a head punch that misses.
Kostov pushes Muromets back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Muromets is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kostov is defending well for now.
Kostov scores with a hook to the body.
Kostov blocking some punches.
A right handed body shot lands from Kostov.
Kostov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kostov dodges an elbow strike from Muromets.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kostov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kostov lands a shot to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Kostov.
Kostov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kostov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kostov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Muromets.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hand to the body from Kostov.
Kostov scores with a shot to the side of Muromets's head.
Kostov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Muromets takes a shot to the head.
Kostov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Muromets trying to land knees to the body.
Pavel Kostov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kostov lands a left hand.
Muromets takes a shot to the head.
Muromets's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kostov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Muromets misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kostov cracks Muromets with a nice body shot.
A short right from Kostov on the inside.
Kostov misses with a body punch.
Kostov lands a nice uppercut.
Kostov lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Muromets to his knees! Kostov keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pavel Kostov!
After winning the bout, Pavel Kostov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.