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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Korolev (ranked 1280 p4p, 730 weight class) and Steve McMichael (ranked 163 p4p, 93 weight class). Korolev kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Holding Out For A Hero (EuroMash). Steve McMichael has the eye of the tiger tonight.
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| 180 cm
35
176
25 - 21 - 0 |
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183 cm
29
174
14 - 7 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alexander Korolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve McMichael!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McMichael displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Korolev throws out the jab.
Korolev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McMichael lands a glancing blow to the side of Korolev's head.
McMichael connects with an inside leg kick.
Korolev falls off balance throwing a combination
and McMichael counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Steve McMichael seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McMichael takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
McMichael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Korolev throws a head kick that misses.
Korolev misses with a body shot.
Korolev throws a hook to the side of McMichael's head but McMichael sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McMichael connects with a jab.
McMichael misses with the combination.
Korolev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at HQG in the buildup to the fight.
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!
McMichael waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Korolev.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McMichael manages to avoid it.
McMichael avoids a punch combination nicely.
Korolev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McMichael scores with a jab to the head.
McMichael looks to land a right hand but Korolev moved out of range.
Korolev has managed to clinch.
Korolev breaks from the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from McMichael. Korolev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Korolev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McMichael wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McMichael jabs at Korolev's body.
McMichael throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Korolev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McMichael dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from McMichael.
Korolev dodges the punch combination from McMichael.
Korolev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
McMichael throws a push kick but Korolev slaps the foot to one side.
Korolev throws a combination that misses
and McMichael cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McMichael looks to land a left hand but Korolev moved out of range nicely.
Korolev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McMichael can pounce on him.
McMichael lands a nice leg kick that just misses Korolev's sensitive parts.
McMichael's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and McMichael duly obliges.
Korolev motions for McMichael to come forward. Korolev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It seemed like McMichael was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McMichael misses with a jab, cross combination.
McMichael keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Korolev.
Korolev motions for McMichael to come forward. Korolev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Korolev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McMichael paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crunch! Korolev slams his shin into McMichael's torso.
Korolev throws an off balance right hand
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McMichael throws a wild body kick that Korolev sees coming a mile off.
McMichael wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McMichael scores with a body shot.
McMichael misses with a two punch combination.
Korolev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A slapping leg kick lands for McMichael.
Korolev tries to clinch
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's four 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!
Korolev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McMichael throws out the jab.
McMichael lands a high kick!
It looks like Alexander Korolev has been cut.
Korolev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McMichael.
A shot to the liver by McMichael. Beautiful body shot.
McMichael throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McMichael lands a glancing blow to the side of Korolev's head.
Korolev throws a head kick that misses.
Korolev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Korolev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McMichael.
Korolev slips a straight right by McMichael.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Korolev throws a poor cross that misses
and McMichael cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McMichael blocks a low kick nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Steve McMichael dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
A jab from McMichael misses.
McMichael throws a leg kick
and Korolev counters with a nice body shot.
McMichael's corner calls for a 1-2. McMichael obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McMichael with a nice calf kick.
McMichael throws an off balance right hand
and Korolev counters with a three punch combo that has McMichael backing up. McMichael nods at Korolev to acknowledge the strikes.
Korolev drives through and clinches with McMichael against the cage.
Good body shot from McMichael.
A shot in the inside from McMichael.
McMichael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Korolev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McMichael blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McMichael doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McMichael holding his opponent close, against the cage.
McMichael doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McMichael throws a punch but it's blocked by Korolev.
Korolev misses with a body punch.
Korolev blocks an uppercut.
Korolev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Korolev misses with a kick to the body
and McMichael counters with a stiff right hand.
McMichael has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McMichael throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McMichael lands with a cross.
Nice shot by McMichael.
McMichael scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McMichael checks a leg kick.
A countering left hand to the body from McMichael misses.
Korolev needs to keep his hands up - McMichael had a free shot at his head there.
Korolev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McMichael.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev gets a clinch.
Korolev breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McMichael throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McMichael lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A big left from McMichael misses.
McMichael lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Korolev is looking to clinch.
Korolev takes one to the side of the head.
McMichael ducks under a wild hook from Korolev.
McMichael scores with a head kick. Korolev tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
McMichael dips to his left and cracks Korolev with an uppercut!
Korolev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McMichael swings widly with a right hand
and Korolev counters with a nice body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMichael scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McMichael stalks Korolev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Korolev's face. Korolev staggers backwards, shaken.
Korolev throws a leg kick but McMichael moved away.
Korolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McMichael manages to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Korolev.
Nice jab there from McMichael.
Korolev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McMichael thuds his shin into the meat of Korolev's side.
Korolev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McMichael thuds a left hand into Korolev's body.
McMichael lands a really nice looking cross but Korolev seems unphased.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Korolev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Korolev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McMichael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Korolev cracks a nice hook into McMichael's ribs.
McMichael takes a swing at Korolev's ribcage but misses.
Korolev throws a body punch but McMichael moves out of range.
Korolev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Korolev walks into a stiff left hand from McMichael.
McMichael fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McMichael swings for the body but Korolev moves out of range.
McMichael keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McMichael looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Steve McMichael showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Korolev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
McMichael slips a jab and a cross from Korolev.
McMichael is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Korolev.
Korolev is looking to wear down McMichael with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McMichael lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Korolev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Korolev moves away from the strike by McMichael.
Korolev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Korolev misses with a right hand
and McMichael counters with a right hand to the body.
Korolev thumps McMichael with a low kick.
McMichael tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McMichael avoids the body shot from Korolev.
McMichael lands a nice leg kick that just misses Korolev's sensitive parts.
Korolev looks to land a right hand but McMichael moved out of range.
Korolev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Korolev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Korolev misses with a low kick as McMichael jumps back.
A slapping leg kick lands for McMichael.
Korolev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Korolev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McMichael checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McMichael looks to land a left hand but Korolev moved out of range nicely.
Korolev avoids the body shot from McMichael.
Korolev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McMichael with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Korolev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A low kick from Korolev misses
and McMichael counters with a flying knee. Nice.
McMichael fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Korolev manages to avoid it.
McMichael scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Korolev doesn't seem bothered though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
McMichael on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Korolev. Korolev obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McMichael throws a quick inside leg kick.
McMichael fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Korolev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McMichael misses with a wild body shot.
Korolev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Korolev looks to land a left hand but McMichael moved out of range nicely.
Korolev tries to work over McMichael's front leg with a kick but McMichael checks it.
No joy there for Korolev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Korolev throws an off balance right hand
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Korolev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McMichael counters with an outside leg kick.
McMichael scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Alexander Korolev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Korolev swings for the body but McMichael moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McMichael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steve McMichael seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Korolev thumps McMichael with a low kick.
A low kick from Korolev misses
and Korolev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slapping leg kick lands for McMichael.
McMichael throws a sloppy head kick and Korolev moves out of range easily.
McMichael connects with a jab.
McMichael looks to score with a jab to the body but Korolev is just out of range.
Korolev looks to score with a jab to the body but McMichael is just out of range.
McMichael throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Korolev tries to work over McMichael's front leg with a kick but McMichael checks it.
McMichael tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Korolev misses the target.
McMichael lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Steve McMichael is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
McMichael changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McMichael smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Korolev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McMichael wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Korolev walks into a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for McMichael.
Korolev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A cross from McMichael lands.
Korolev throws a sloppy head kick and McMichael moves out of range easily.
McMichael cracks a nice hook into Korolev's ribs.
McMichael lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McMichael lands a jab to Korolev's midsection.
McMichael ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that's the end of the fight!
Steve McMichael comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McMichael winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve McMichael!
Steve McMichael seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
73% |
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