PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kantemir Kantemirov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ornin Koromar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kantemir Kantemirov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kantemirov
vs
Koromar

167 cm
18
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

155 cm
19
146 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kantemir Kantemirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ornin Koromar!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kantemirov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kantemirov is trying to work for a kimura but Koromar is defending well.

Kantemirov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koromar sees it coming and defends easily.
Kantemirov misses with a head shot. Koromar uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kantemirov is looking to work some ground and pound but Koromar has wrist control.
Kantemirov landing with the ground and pound.
Kantemirov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kantemirov 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koromar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kantemirov throwing strikes but missing.
Koromar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Koromar can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kantemirov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Koromar manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kantemirov has Koromar in his guard.

Kantemirov wants to stand but Koromar is controlling the position.
Koromar wanted to stand there but Kantemirov had control of the position.
Koromar prevents Kantemirov from getting back to his feet.
Koromar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kantemirov is proving hard to escape from.
Kantemirov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Koromar is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Kantemirov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Koromar has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Kantemirov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kantemirov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kantemirov lands with a punch from half guard.
Kantemirov trying to pass the guard but Koromar defending well.

Kantemirov seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Koromar is trying to control but can't.
Kantemirov with the ground and pound but Koromar uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Koromar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kantemirov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koromar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koromar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kantemirov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Koromar dives on top into guard.

Koromar is looking to stand up but Kantemirov won't let him.
Koromar should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kantemirov wants to stand up but Koromar is controlling him.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kantemirov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Koromar jumps guard.
Koromar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kantemirov is one step ahead there.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Koromar has eaten all the pies!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kantemirov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantemirov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Koromar working a defensive guard here.

Kantemirov drops back looking for a leg! Koromar is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Koromar manages to kick Kantemirov off! Kantemirov jumps back into Koromar's guard.
Kantemirov looking to sit in guard and control but Koromar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kantemirov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Koromar ducks right into an uppercut from Kantemirov.

Kantemirov gets the takedown into side control.

Kantemirov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kantemirov cracks Koromar with a big right hand but Koromar just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Koromar is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kantemirov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kantemirov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kantemirov is trying to work for a kimura but Koromar is defending well.

Kantemirov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Koromar defends it well.
Kantemirov wants to control but Koromar is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kantemirov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Koromar has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kantemirov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Koromar is just riding it out for now. Kantemirov eventually gives up the hold.
Koromar on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kantemirov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Koromar is defending against the submission attempts here by Kantemirov.
Kantemirov is looking to take a break and control but Koromar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Kantemirov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kantemirov lands with a punch from half guard.

Kantemirov is looking for a kimura here.
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. Kantemirov connects with a nice short shot to Koromar's temple.
Kantemirov slips a nice elbow through Koromar's hands, connecting with Koromar's forehead.
Kantemirov is keen to just control but Koromar is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kantemirov lands strikes from half guard.

Kantemirov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koromar sees it coming and defends easily.
Kantemirov wants to take a breather but Koromar is having none of it.

Kantemirov wants to work for an arm triangle but Koromar is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kantemirov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kantemirov wants to control but Koromar is keeping him busy.
Koromar wants to get back to full guard.

Kantemirov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kantemirov wants to pass the guard but Koromar is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantemirov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Koromar trying to control from the bottom.
Koromar is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kantemirov is staying active.
Koromar taking some punishment here, with Kantemirov in his half guard.
Kantemirov working the head and body with strikes.
Koromar trying to control from the bottom.
Kantemirov drops an elbow to the side of Koromar's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kantemirov is looking for a kimura here.

Kantemirov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koromar sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kantemir Kantemirov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kantemirov drives through with a takedown into Koromar's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Kantemirov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kantemirov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Koromar keeping moving, preventing Kantemirov from controlling successfully.
Koromar controlling the position.
Kantemirov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Koromar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kantemirov chips away with some ground and pound.
Kantemirov trying to control but Koromar is working from the bottom.
Koromar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kantemirov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Koromar is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kantemirov, into his guard.

Kantemirov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Koromar off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Kantemirov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Koromar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Koromar is trying to control the position but Kantemirov postures up.
Kantemirov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kantemirov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koromar can do to turn this around?
Koromar seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kantemirov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantemirov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kantemirov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kantemirov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kantemir Kantemirov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kantemirov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Koromar can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kantemirov controls the pace.
Kantemirov stands up over Koromar, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Kantemirov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Koromar presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kantemirov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Koromar clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Koromar wants to escape the position.
Kantemirov struggling to land strikes to the head as Koromar covers up.

Koromar defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kantemirov's arms.

Koromar preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Kantemirov.
Koromar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kantemirov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kantemirov throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Kantemirov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Koromar could be in trouble here!
Koromar trying to control the hands but Kantemirov won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koromar won't enjoy being in this position. Kantemirov looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Koromar is tapping - it's over boys! Kantemirov picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kantemir Kantemirov!
A very excited looking Kantemir Kantemirov rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.