PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Ilmarinen (ranked 1865 p4p, 2091 weight class) and Khamzat Chimaev (ranked 275 p4p, 294 weight class). Chimaev has chosen Katioucha as his entrance music. Khamzat Chimaev will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ilmarinen
vs
Chimaev

186 cm
26
198
3 - 0 - 0

183 cm
26
185
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

The Natural Order
Fantasy Threads

Seventh Circle Clothing
Fantasy Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anton Ilmarinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khamzat Chimaev!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chimaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chimaev working over Ilmarinen with some ground and pound. Ilmarinen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ilmarinen keeping hold of Chimaev's head, controlling as best he can.
Chimaev wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping him busy.
Chimaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ilmarinen's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen is looking to control Chimaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ilmarinen avoid being mounted?
Ilmarinen tries to roll over but Chimaev keeps him under control.
Ground and pound from Chimaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen trying to control from the bottom.
Chimaev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ilmarinen's head.
Ilmarinen is trying to maintain the position but Chimaev is very close to passing his half guard.
Ilmarinen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ilmarinen tries to get out of the position.
Chimaev thows a huge punch but Ilmarinen dodges it nicely.
Ilmarinen is looking to improve his position.
Ilmarinen is pressing down on Chimaev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilmarinen looking to control.
Chimaev trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Ilmarinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ilmarinen 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.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ilmarinen trying to keep a closed guard but Chimaev is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Ilmarinen circles away from the clinch attempt

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Chimaev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ilmarinen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chimaev manages to get himself to full guard.

Ilmarinen trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Ilmarinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Chimaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Chimaev, not yet.
Ilmarinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ilmarinen looking to sit in guard and control but Chimaev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ilmarinen wants to sweep here but Chimaev controlling him for the moment.
Ilmarinen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ilmarinen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ilmarinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Chimaev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ilmarinen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.
Ilmarinen landing with the ground and pound.
Chimaev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Ilmarinen is in close to Chimaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Chimaev controls Ilmarinen momentarily but Ilmarinen frees himself.
Ilmarinen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ilmarinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ilmarinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chimaev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ilmarinen looks to land a left hand but Chimaev moved out of range nicely.
Chimaev tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A jab from Ilmarinen finds it's way through Chimaev's defenses.
Ilmarinen throws a lazy right hand but Chimaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chimaev fails with the takedown.
Ilmarinen throws a hook but Chimaev avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Chimaev.
Ilmarinen misses with a wild body shot.
Chimaev circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Chimaev counter with a right hand.
Chimaev moves in looking to clinch but Ilmarinen pushes him off.
Ilmarinen goes for a double leg but Chimaev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Chimaev continues to drive forward.
Ilmarinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chimaev's elbow.
Chimaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ilmarinen prevents it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen can't get the takedown.
Ilmarinen is struggling to control the position.
Ilmarinen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Chimaev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ilmarinen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anton Ilmarinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ilmarinen leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ilmarinen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Chimaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ilmarinen smiles and moves away.
Chimaev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ilmarinen is fending him off so far but Chimaev persists. Nope, Ilmarinen circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Ilmarinen. No joy for Chimaev on that attempt.
Chimaev slips under a jab from Ilmarinen.

Ilmarinen gets a double leg takedown into Chimaev's guard.
Chimaev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Chimaev wants to sweep here but Ilmarinen controlling him for the moment.
Ilmarinen controlling from the top position.
Ilmarinen throws an elbow that misses. Chimaev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ilmarinen's guard. Nice move by Chimaev!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chimaev throwing strikes but missing.
Chimaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ilmarinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ilmarinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ilmarinen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Chimaev is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chimaev trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ilmarinen shoots for a takedown but Chimaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chimaev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Chimaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ilmarinen.
Anton Ilmarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ilmarinen misses with a body shot.
A big right from Ilmarinen misses.
Chimaev shoots in but Ilmarinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Chimaev darts in looking for a takedown but Ilmarinen gets double underhooks and turns Chimaev into the cage.
Ilmarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Chimaev is quick to defend against it.
Anton Ilmarinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khamzat Chimaev.
Ilmarinen throws a hook but Chimaev blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chimaev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen misses with an uppercut
and Chimaev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ilmarinen goes for a double leg but Chimaev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Chimaev continues to drive forward.
Ilmarinen tries to throw a body punch but Chimaev avoids it by throwing Ilmarinen back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen stalling against the cage.
Chimaev is trying to pull guard but Ilmarinen has him pressed against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ilmarinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ilmarinen stops a takedown attempt from Chimaev.

Chimaev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Chimaev misses.
Ilmarinen fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ilmarinen gets a clinch.
Ilmarinen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Chimaev up against the cage.
Ilmarinen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Chimaev up against the cage.

Chimaev breaks the clinch.
Chimaev tries to clinch up.
Ilmarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Chimaev is quick to defend against it.
Chimaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Ilmarinen throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen throws a body shot but no joy.
Ilmarinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ilmarinen throws a jab but it's blocked by Chimaev.
Ilmarinen lands a jab to the nose.
Ilmarinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Chimaev can do to turn this around?
Chimaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ilmarinen throws a jab but it's blocked by Chimaev.
Chimaev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Chimaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ilmarinen's waist but Ilmarinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chimaev off to one side.
Chimaev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Chimaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ilmarinen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Chimaev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev has his hands on Ilmarinen's head, controlling the position.
Chimaev is trying to keep Ilmarinen in close.
Ilmarinen throws a big elbow that misses.
Anton Ilmarinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chimaev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Chimaev wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev looks for a takedown but Ilmarinen sprawls well.
Ilmarinen throws a body punch but Chimaev moves out of range.
Chimaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Ilmarinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Chimaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Ilmarinen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Chimaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ilmarinen connects with a nice looking jab.
Chimaev slips a jab from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen takes a swing at Chimaev's ribcage but misses.
Ilmarinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chimaev.
Nice uppercut lands for Chimaev. That snapped Ilmarinen's head back.
Chimaev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ilmarinen throws out the jab.
Chimaev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Chimaev sprawls and moves away.
Chimaev defending well as Ilmarinen loads up on a big left hand.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chimaev.
Ilmarinen throws a looping overhand right but Chimaev ducks down to avoid it.
Ilmarinen throws a jab but it's blocked by Chimaev.
Ilmarinen throws a body punch but Chimaev moves out of range.
Chimaev throws out a loose jab but Ilmarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ilmarinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chimaev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chimaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ilmarinen 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!
Chimaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Ilmarinen looks to land a left hand but Chimaev moved out of range nicely.
Chimaev feints the counter takedown.
Ilmarinen loads up on a big right hand but Chimaev slips the punch.
Chimaev with the counter takedown but Ilmarinen avoids it easily.

Ilmarinen dives in and scores a takedown into Chimaev's guard.
Ilmarinen chips away with some ground and pound.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ilmarinen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ilmarinen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.
Ilmarinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ilmarinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ilmarinen lands a couple of digs.
Ilmarinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Chimaev is retaining full guard.
Ilmarinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Chimaev looking for a sweep. Not yet Chimaev, not yet.
Ilmarinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ilmarinen looking to sit in guard and control but Chimaev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ilmarinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Chimaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Ilmarinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ilmarinen has Chimaev pulled in close to control his posture.
Ilmarinen 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.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev preventing the sweep.
Chimaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Ilmarinen has wrist control.
Ilmarinen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ilmarinen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ilmarinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Ilmarinen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Chimaev avoids the body shot from Ilmarinen.
Chimaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Ilmarinen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Chimaev's half guard.
Ilmarinen content to control rather than advance.
Ilmarinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilmarinen working Chimaev over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ilmarinen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ilmarinen wants to take a breather but Chimaev is having none of it.
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. Ilmarinen connects with a nice short shot to Chimaev's temple.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ilmarinen in particular looking to stall.
Ilmarinen working the head and body with strikes.
Ilmarinen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ilmarinen wants to control but Chimaev is keeping him busy.
Ilmarinen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ilmarinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Chimaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chimaev keeps working.
Ilmarinen throwing shots but Chimaev is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ilmarinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Chimaev's head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ilmarinen moves into range and connects with a jab.
A shot to the body from Ilmarinen misses
and Chimaev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Ilmarinen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Chimaev did well to prevent Ilmarinen getting side control.
Ilmarinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Chimaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ilmarinen.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ilmarinen lands a nice short elbow.
Ilmarinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ilmarinen working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev gets full guard.
Chimaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ilmarinen is working Chimaev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ilmarinen chips away with some ground and pound.
Chimaev keeping moving, preventing Ilmarinen from controlling successfully.
Ilmarinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Chimaev has momentary wrist control but Ilmarinen slips an elbow through the middle.
Ilmarinen works over Chimaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ilmarinen with a nice head shot there.
Ilmarinen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen works over Chimaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Ilmarinen preventing the sweep.
Ilmarinen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ilmarinen passes Chimaev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Chimaev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ilmarinen scores with a couple of nice shots.
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. Ilmarinen connects with a nice short shot to Chimaev's temple.
Chimaev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ilmarinen is looking to take a break and control but Chimaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ilmarinen is keen to just control but Chimaev is a slippery customer.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ilmarinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ilmarinen in particular looking to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Ilmarinen throws a big shot that misses.
Chimaev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Chimaev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ilmarinen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen lands with a punch from half guard.
Ilmarinen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ilmarinen is trying to control the action in half guard but Chimaev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ilmarinen lands strikes from half guard.
Ilmarinen content to control rather than advance.
Chimaev is looking to control Ilmarinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Chimaev avoid being mounted?

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ilmarinen drops an elbow to the side of Chimaev's head.
Chimaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen is trying to control. Chimaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ilmarinen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Chimaev is rocked!
Chimaev is trying to get back to full guard.
Chimaev is still in real trouble! Can Ilmarinen finish him?
Ilmarinen is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Chimaev is hurt! He's hurt bad - Ilmarinen fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Chimaev from any more punishment! Congratulations to Ilmarinen! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anton Ilmarinen!
Anton Ilmarinen is the new middleweight champion!
Our winner, Anton Ilmarinen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.