PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Kostov (ranked 641 p4p, 883 weight class) and Hendrix Cabrera (ranked 78 p4p, 115 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kostov
vs
Cabrera

185 cm
31
190
15 - 10 - 3

185 cm
30
185
16 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

FF Gear
Conviction

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 15 - 10 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Kostov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hendrix Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kostov misses the jab.
Cabrera with the counter takedown but Kostov avoids it easily.
Cabrera slips a straight right by Kostov.
Kostov cracks Cabrera with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cabrera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kostov connects with a solid leg kick.
Kostov connects with a leg kick.
Kostov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cabrera's head backwards.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cabrera has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Cabrera fails with a takedown attempt.
Kostov throws a quick counter kick to the body but Cabrera avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kostov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostov misses with a straight left.
Kostov throws a jab when Cabrera was well out of range.
Pavel Kostov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kostov throws a jab when Cabrera was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kostov. Cabrera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cabrera closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kostov circles away.
Kostov throwing a counter right hand but Cabrera manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Kostov.
Cabrera was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Cabrera on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kostov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kostov misses with a few strikes there.

Kostov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cabrera to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cabrera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Kostov keeps moving.
Kostov wants to sweep but no luck.
Kostov managing to control the position.
Kostov keeping full guard, as Cabrera tries to pass.
Kostov keeping moving, preventing Cabrera from controlling successfully.
Cabrera showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov misses with a body shot.
Kostov misses with a hook to the body
and Cabrera makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Cabrera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kostov scores with a head kick. Cabrera tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Hendrix Cabrera has been cut.
Cabrera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kostov connects with a body shot.
Cabrera slips a straight right by Kostov.
Cabrera ducks under a wild hook from Kostov.
Cabrera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Kostov backs off Cabrera throws a huge counter combo but Kostov manages to avoid it all.
Kostov throws a hook but Cabrera blocks it.
Kostov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kostov misses with an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kostov throws a push kick but Cabrera slaps the foot to one side.
Kostov throws a big shot that misses.
Cabrera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kostov missing with a left hand there. Cabrera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pavel Kostov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kostov misses with an uppercut. Cabrera saw that one coming.
Cabrera misses the shot to the body.
Kostov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cabrera tries a head kick but it misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kostov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters circle momentarily. Kostov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice defenses there by Kostov.
Cabrera bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kostov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.
Good leg kick by Kostov.
A nice leg kick from Kostov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cabrera moves out of range of the strikes.
Kostov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cabrera on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters circling a little - Cabrera finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Cabrera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kostov.
Cabrera throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice cross by Kostov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kostov was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabrera.
Kostov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kostov.
Kostov feints and then cracks Cabrera's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cabrera down.
Kostov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cabrera counters with a stiff right hand.
Kostov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cabrera.
Cabrera is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Cabrera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kostov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cabrera. That did some damage!
Kostov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cabrera can do to turn this around?
Cabrera on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kostov throws the kick towards the body but Cabrera avoids it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cabrera! But no joy.
Cabrera lands a head shot.
Kostov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cabrera was well out of range. Poor timing from Kostov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cabrera shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kostov pinned against the cage. Kostov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from Cabrera misses.
Kostov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kostov swings for the body but Cabrera moves out of range.
Kostov cracks Cabrera with an open hand slap.
Kostov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cabrera attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kostov misses with a straight right.
Kostov slips a jab from Cabrera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov with a hook.
A low kick from Cabrera misses
and Kostov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kostov jabs at Cabrera's body.
Kostov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cabrera. That did some damage!
Kostov throws a jab when Cabrera was well out of range.
Kostov throws a front kick that sends Cabrera stumbling back into the cage.
Cabrera blocks a head kick by Kostov.
Kostov connects with a looping right hand.
Kostov throws a looping overhand right but Cabrera ducks down to avoid it.
Kostov ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
Cabrera swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kostov misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera blocks a leg kick.
Cabrera will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cabrera gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cabrera slips a jab from Kostov.
Kostov works Cabrera's body with a nice hook.
Kostov thows a body kick. Cabrera tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kostov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cabrera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kostov.
Kostov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.
Kostov scores with a nice body kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cabrera.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Kostov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cabrera misses with a double jab.
Hendrix Cabrera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cabrera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kostov misses with a looping right.
Cabrera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kostov.
Pavel Kostov is winning the standup battle so far.
Cabrera moves out of range of the body kick from Kostov.
A good leg kick by Kostov.
A head kick misses from Cabrera.
Cabrera throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kostov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kostov cracks Cabrera with an open hand slap.
Cabrera steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kostov. That one must have hurt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cabrera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera misses with a body kick.
Cabrera takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kostov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kostov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kostov lands an overhand right.
Nice shot by Kostov.
Cabrera takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kostov throws out a loose jab but Cabrera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kostov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cabrera if he has to take too many more of those.
Kostov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cabrera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cabrera misses with a straight right.
Pavel Kostov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kostov lands a really nice looking cross but Cabrera seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cabrera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kostov. Kostov obviously looking to wear him down.
Cabrera missing with a left hand there. Kostov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kostov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cabrera.
Kostov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Kostov blocks a jab.
Cabrera takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kostov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cabrera ducks right into an uppercut from Kostov.
Cabrera uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kostov.
No luck for Cabrera with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cabrera tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kostov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cabrera somewhat.
Kostov digs a good hook to Cabrera's body.
Cabrera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kostov throws out the jab.
Kostov throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera blocks a jab.
Kostov misses with a double jab.
Kostov tries to land a leg kick but Cabrera saw it coming and moves away.
Cabrera with the counter takedown but Kostov avoids it easily.
Kostov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pavel Kostov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hendrix Cabrera.
Cabrera takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cabrera takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cabrera throws out a leg kick but Kostov moves out of range and Cabrera only half commits.
Kostov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Cabrera has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kostov.
Kostov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cabrera. That did some damage!
A big left from Cabrera misses.
Kostov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Kostov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kostov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pavel Kostov!
During a confident post fight interview, Pavel Kostov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.