PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Ismailov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Korotkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magomed Ismailov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ismailov
vs
Korotkov

185 cm
25
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Ismailov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Korotkov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Korotkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ismailov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ismailov.

Ismailov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ismailov working away.
Korotkov trying to control but Ismailov flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Korotkov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Korotkov is in bad spot here.
Korotkov needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Korotkov rolls, trying to escape but Ismailov keeps control of the position.
Ismailov has good solid back control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korotkov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Korotkov is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ismailov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov is hanging on to Korotkov's back as he tries to escape.
Korotkov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Ismailov controlling well, preventing Korotkov from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Korotkov wants to escape the position.
Korotkov trying to control the action but Ismailov just sinks the hooks in.
Good control from Ismailov.
Ismailov keeps control of the position as Korotkov tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov keeps control of the position easily here as Korotkov tries to buck him off.
Korotkov trying to control the action but Ismailov just sinks the hooks in.
Korotkov is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ismailov is staying active.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Magomed Ismailov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Korotkov wants to clinch

and Ismailov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Korotkov's guard.
Ismailov postures up.

Korotkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ismailov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Korotkov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ismailov passes into half guard.
Ismailov stalling.
Korotkov wants to control but Ismailov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korotkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Korotkov wants to clinch

and Ismailov counters with a takedown into side control.
Korotkov is looking for a sweep.
Ismailov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Korotkov looking for a sweep but Ismailov has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korotkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Ismailov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ismailov stops Korotkov from getting back to his feet.
Korotkov is looking to control Ismailov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Korotkov avoid being mounted?
Korotkov has a hand on Ismailov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ismailov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korotkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Korotkov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Korotkov is still trying to improve position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Korotkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Magomed Ismailov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Donk. Korotkov catches Ismailov right on the button with a cross.
Korotkov closes the distance but Ismailov moves to the side

and Ismailov counters with a single leg into guard. Korotkov didn't expect that.
Korotkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Korotkov wants to control the position but Ismailov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ismailov content to control rather than advance.
Korotkov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Ismailov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Ismailov controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korotkov is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Ismailov controlling the pace for now.
Korotkov working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ismailov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korotkov working to try and regain half guard.
Korotkov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ismailov has a closed guard, preventing Korotkov from standing up.
Korotkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Magomed Ismailov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Magomed Ismailov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korotkov wants to control from the top but Ismailov keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Artem Korotkov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Korotkov fails with the takedown

and Ismailov moves into the clinch.
Korotkov tries to break free but Ismailov pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Korotkov wants to break free but Ismailov has control.
Korotkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ismailov after a bit of a struggle.
Korotkov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Artem Korotkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Magomed Ismailov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artem Korotkov.

Ismailov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Magomed Ismailov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ismailov, 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomed Ismailov!