PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tim Horton (ranked 279 p4p, 1068 weight class) and Alexander Korolev (ranked 40 p4p, 143 weight class). Horton's entrance music is Canada National Anthem. A fine choice. Korolev has chosen Human Science Experiment as his entrance music. Alexander Korolev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Horton
vs
Korolev

187 cm
25
184
14 - 3 - 0

180 cm
24
199
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Brooklyn Apothecary

Bondi MMA 🏝️
The Natural Order

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 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tim Horton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Korolev!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Reed Andrews and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horton plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Korolev misses with a looping right.
Horton lands a nice shot to the body.
Horton looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horton fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice leg kick from Horton, right into the meat of the thigh.
Korolev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Horton.
Korolev throws the left hand but Horton avoids the punch easily.
Korolev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Horton moves away.
Korolev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Horton throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Horton is looking to clinch.
Korolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Horton manages to avoid it.
A low kick lands for Horton.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korolev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Horton moves away from the strike by Korolev.
Horton tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Korolev manages to circle out of the way.

Horton has Korolev up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Korolev takes a shot to the head.

Korolev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Korolev throws an off balance right hand
and Horton counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Korolev thinking.
Korolev misses with a left hand
and Horton counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Korolev misses with an uppercut
and Horton counters with a slapping leg kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Korolev scores with a four punch combination!
Horton uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Korolev.
Korolev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Horton lands a right hook to the body.
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!
The fighters circling - Korolev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horton seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Horton scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Korolev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Horton can pounce on him.
Horton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horton is looking to wear down Korolev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev throws a body kick that misses
and Horton counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Korolev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Korolev gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Horton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Horton.
A short uppercut from Horton.
Korolev is trying to force a seperation but Horton has the dominant position.
Horton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Korolev's efforts to push away.
Horton struggles to land a body shot inside as Korolev controls his hands.
Horton lands an uppercut.
Horton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Korolev's efforts to push away.
Horton misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Korolev breaks the clinch.
Korolev misses with an uppercut
and Horton counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Horton. That's going to slow Korolev down.
Horton slips under a jab.
Korolev misses with a body kick.
Horton throws a body shot but no joy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Korolev! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev misses with a hook. Horton ducked under it nicely.
A quick step to the side and Horton tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Korolev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Korolev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Horton.
Horton sizes up Korolev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Korolev misses with a hook.
Korolev misses with a hook. Horton ducked under it nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Korolev. Those never looked like landing.
Korolev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Horton clinches up with Korolev and pushes him back against the cage.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton has him pressed against the cage.
Korolev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Korolev wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice right hand lands inside from Horton.

Korolev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horton scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Korolev lands a nice looking kick to the body. Horton takes a step back to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev misses with a hook
and Horton counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korolev looks to land a left hand but Horton moved out of range nicely.
Korolev throws a lazy right hand but Horton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horton is looking to counter with head kicks.
Korolev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Horton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Horton swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Horton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Horton connects with a jab.
Korolev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Horton has time to react.
Horton scores with a sloppy right hand. Korolev should have avoided that one.
Korolev looks to throw the jab but Horton is out of range.
Horton blocks a jab.
Horton scores with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horton darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Korolev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Horton circles away quickly and effectively.
Horton with a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Horton 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.

Horton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Korolev misses with a left hand
and Horton counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Korolev is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Korolev misses with an uppercut
and Horton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Korolev throws out a loose jab but Horton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tim Horton is winning the standup battle so far.
Korolev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Horton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Horton lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Korolev throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Horton counters by clinching up.
Korolev is trying to force a seperation but Horton has the dominant position.
Korolev has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Horton seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Korolev can turn it around.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Korolev.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton is controlling him.
Korolev is looking to break free of the clinch but Horton has double underhooks.
Horton misses with the head strike.

Korolev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Horton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Horton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Korolev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Horton feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Korolevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Korolev throws a shot from downtown. Horton moves away and avoids it.
Horton swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Horton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horton lands a nice looking kick to the body. Korolev takes a step back to recover.
Horton scores with a decent looking hook.
Horton throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Horton scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Horton ducks under a wild hook from Korolev.
Horton chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Horton moves away from the strike by Korolev.
Horton connects with a body shot that sends Korolev's belly button to the back.
Horton looks for the body kick but Korolev saw that one coming.
Horton slips a jab from Korolev.
A counter left hand to the body from Horton misses its target.
Horton fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Korolev.
Horton throws a body punch but Korolev moves out of range.
Korolev throws a hook to the side of Horton's head but Horton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev tries to move into range but Horton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Korolev throws the left hand but Horton avoids the punch easily.
Horton jabs Korolev right on the nose. Korolev blinks but takes it well.
Korolev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Korolev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
It looks like Horton has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Korolev misses with a right hand
and Horton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice jab there from Horton.
Horton tries to clinch up but Korolev circles away and keeps his distance.
Korolev jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Horton blocks a jab.
Horton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Korolev can do to turn this around?
Korolev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Horton doesn't seem bothered though.
Alexander Korolev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Korolev throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Horton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Korolev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Horton ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Korolev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Horton throws a series of punches but Korolev moves out of range.
Horton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Horton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Korolev! But no joy.
Korolev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Horton.
Korolev misses with a hook
and Horton counters with a nice body shot.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Nice uppercut there from Horton.
Horton lands a jab to the nose.
Horton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Korolev explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Horton.
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!

Horton darts in and clinches Korolev up against the cage.
Horton is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Korolev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Horton.
Korolev is trying to force a seperation but Horton has the dominant position.
Horton lands a body punch in the clinch.

Korolev breaks the clinch.
Korolev has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Horton cracks a nice hook into Korolev's ribs.
Horton tries to clinch but Korolev moves out of range.
Horton throws a sloppy head kick and Korolev moves out of range easily.
Korolev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Horton turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Horton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horton scores with a jab to the body.
Korolev looks for the body kick but Horton saw that one coming.
Horton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Horton feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Korolevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Korolev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Horton was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Korolev.
Horton throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Horton dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Korolev throws a right hand that misses
and Horton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Korolev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Korolev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Horton dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horton keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Horton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Korolev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Horton counters with a slapping leg kick.
Korolev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Horton looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Korolev misses with an uppercut. Horton saw that one coming.
Korolev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Korolev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev is looking to land body kicks.
Horton feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Horton's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Horton duly obliges.

It looks like Alexander Korolev has been cut.
Korolev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab, jab by Horton - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horton.
Korolev misses with a lunging right hand
and Horton counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters circling a little - Horton finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Korolev looks to land a body kick but Horton moved away.
Horton moves out of range as Korolev throws a body kick.
Korolev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Horton appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Korolev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Horton lands a nice shot that snaps Korolev's head back.
Korolev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horton is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Korolev misses with a wild combination.
A little feinted left hand from Horton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Donk. Horton catches Korolev right on the button with a cross.
Horton lands with a kick to the temple. Korolev shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Korolev misses with a kick to the body.
Horton uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Horton moves into range and clinches up with Korolev.
Horton lands a shoulder strike.
Horton lands a body shot in the clinch.
Horton lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Korolev wants to get back to striking at distance but Horton won't allow it.
A short uppercut from Horton.
Korolev wants to break free but Horton has control.
Korolev takes a shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Korolev.
A short left from Horton.
Horton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Korolev backwards.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton has him pressed against the cage.
Horton lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Horton.
Horton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Korolev has had enough of the clinch but Horton keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Horton as the two fighters clinch.
Horton scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Horton on the inside.
Korolev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Horton softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Horton makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Horton - that landed with a thud.
Horton lands a left hand.
A short right from Horton on the inside.
Horton lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Horton.
Horton scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horton lands an uppercut.
Horton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Horton can't find room to land a body shot as Korolev controls the action.
Horton makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Korolev is trying to force a seperation but Horton has the dominant position.
A nice left hand lands by Horton.
Korolev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Korolev's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Korolev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horton with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Horton has managed to clinch.
Horton working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Horton lands an uppercut.

Korolev breaks the clinch.
Horton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Horton scores with a jab to the head.
Horton tests Korolev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Horton takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Horton takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horton defending well as Korolev loads up on a big left hand.
Korolev throws a lazy uppercut
and Horton counters with a right hand to the body.
Korolev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Horton clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Korolev misses with an uppercut
and Horton counters with a nice uppercut.

Horton clinches up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Horton as the two fighters clinch.

Korolev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Korolev crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Horton - the referee stops the clock and Korolev gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Horton. Korolev manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Horton lands a nice shot to the body.
Horton works Korolev's body with a nice hook.
Korolev throws a looping overhand right but Horton ducks down to avoid it.
Horton lands a nice looking body kick.
Horton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horton went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Horton steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Korolev.
Horton swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev throws a lazy uppercut
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Korolev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Korolev misses with a looping left.
Korolev throws a hook but Horton avoids it easily.
Horton is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Korolev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Horton moves into range and connects with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korolev. Horton does a little dance to reset his feet.
A quick step to the side and Horton tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Horton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Korolev misses the jab.
Horton blocks the body kick.
Korolev throws a right and a left that Horton avoids nicely.
Korolev has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Horton.
Korolev is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A combination from Korolev does no damage.
Horton throwing a counter right hand but Korolev manages to avoid it.
Horton with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horton swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Korolev.

Horton moves into range and clinches up with Korolev.

Korolev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Korolev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Horton slips under a jab.
Horton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Korolev looks to land a right hand but Horton moved out of range.
Korolev loads up on a big right hand but Horton slips the punch.
Korolev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Horton moves out of range as Korolev throws a body kick.
Horton scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Korolev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev throws an off balance right hand
and Horton counters with a nice body kick.

Horton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Korolev, pushing him back against the cage.
Horton works on Korolev's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Horton.
Horton throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Korolev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A right-left combo lands from Horton.
Korolev walks into a left hand.
Korolev misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Korolev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Korolev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Horton counters with a right hand to the body.
Korolev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And Horton counters with a quick kick to the body but Korolev blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Horton looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A lazy body kick from Korolev
and Horton counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horton stuns Korolev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Horton lands a high kick!
A combination from Korolev does no damage.

Horton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Horton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Horton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Korolev's efforts to push away.
Horton works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Horton lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Korolev or not.
Horton works on Korolev's body with a couple of short punches.
Horton lands a hook that snaps the head of Korolev backwards.
Horton lands with a short shot to the head.
Horton lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Horton lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Horton struggles to land a body shot inside as Korolev controls his hands.
Horton misses with a punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Horton had his way with Alexander Korolev in that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
That's time! Horton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Korolev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Horton was well out of range. Poor timing from Korolev.
A little feinted left hand from Horton on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Korolev misses with a right hand
and Horton counters with a series of strikes. Korolev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Horton lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Korolev misses with an uppercut.
Korolev misses with a lunging right hand
and Horton counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Korolev throws an overhand right that lands on Horton's shoulder, as Horton tries to avoid the shot.
Korolev walks into a jab.
Korolev missing with a left hand there. Horton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Horton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Korolev manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Horton lands a nice shot that snaps Korolev's head back.
Horton scores with a hook.
Korolev misses with a body kick.
As Korolev tries to get set, Horton tries to push him back and clinch up but Korolev manages to avoid the attempt.
Alexander Korolev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Korolev on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horton jabs Korolev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Horton fails with an attempt to clinch.
Korolev throws a big shot that misses.
Horton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Korolev misses with a body shot.
Korolev misses with the body kick
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Horton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Korolev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Horton tests Korolev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tim Horton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Horton.
Nice uppercut lands for Horton. That snapped Korolev's head back.
Korolev misses with a hook

and Horton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Horton.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horton lands a hook that snaps the head of Korolev backwards.
Korolev wants to get back to striking at distance but Horton won't allow it.
Horton throws a head punch that misses.
Korolev working hard to break the clinch.
Korolev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Korolev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton has him pressed against the cage.
Korolev blocking some punches.
Korolev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton has him pressed against the cage.
Horton lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Korolev is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A short right from Horton on the inside.
Horton scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev blocking some punches.
Horton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Horton.
Horton misses with a body punch.
Korolev is looking to break free of the clinch but Horton has double underhooks.
Horton misses with a punch to the body.
Horton softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Horton lands a left hand.
Korolev wants to get back to striking at distance but Horton won't allow it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Horton.
Horton working aggressively here.
Horton scores with a nice hook to the head.
Korolev tries to break free but Horton pushes him back against the cage.
Korolev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Horton lands a right hand.
Korolev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A right hook to the body lands for Horton.
Horton digs a right hand into Korolev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Korolev's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Korolev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Korolev is trying to break the clinch but Horton is controlling him.
Horton misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Horton scores with a nice short uppercut.
Horton lands a right hand.
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!

Korolev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horton lands a right hook to the body.
Horton takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Horton connects with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Horton.
Horton lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Horton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korolev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Korolev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Horton buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Korolev throws a jab when Horton was well out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tim Horton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Horton has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 50:45
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 50:45
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Horton!
Tim Horton retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Tim Horton, 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.