PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Koreshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carter is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Jazz Cartier - New Religion. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Koreshkov
vs
Carter

176 cm
27
157 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

176 cm
20
157 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Koreshkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Carter!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carter shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Koreshkov defends it nicely.
Koreshkov misses with an uppercut.

Carter instigates a clinch.
Koreshkov fails to pull guard.
Carter tries to throw a body punch but Koreshkov avoids it by throwing Carter back against the cage.

Carter has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Koreshkov regains guard immediately.
Carter loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Koreshkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koreshkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Carter's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carter managing to control the position.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Carter looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koreshkov is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koreshkov being controlled here momentarily.
Koreshkov postures up.
Carter pulls Koreshkov in to control the position.
Koreshkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Carter is retaining full guard.
Carter looking for a sweep. Not yet Carter, not yet.
Koreshkov distracts Carter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Carter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Koreshkov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Koreshkov stays in close to Carter's body and controls the position.
Carter is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koreshkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Carter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Koreshkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Koreshkov slips nicely into half guard.
Koreshkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Carter is looking to improve his position.
Koreshkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Carter is looking for a sweep. Koreshkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Carter trying to control from the bottom.
Carter is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Carter is staying active underneath Koreshkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Carter wants to control but Koreshkov is keeping busy.
Carter avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Koreshkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Carter trying to control but Koreshkov postures up.
Koreshkov trying to control from half guard but Carter is working away.
Koreshkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Carter's head.
Koreshkov working Carter over with strikes.
Carter wants to improve his position but Koreshkov is controlling well.
Carter has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Koreshkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Carter is trying to get back to full guard.
Carter is refusing to be controlled, as Koreshkov sits in half guard.
Carter wants to improve his position but Koreshkov is controlling well.
Koreshkov is keen to just control but Carter is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter trying to control from the bottom.
Koreshkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Koreshkov prevents Carter from improving his position.

Koreshkov wants to work for an arm triangle but Carter is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Koreshkov is nestled in close to Carter, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Koreshkov working Carter over with strikes.
Koreshkov is thwarting Carter's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Koreshkov is looking for a kimura but Carter is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koreshkov to get the leverage.
Carter is looking to control Koreshkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Carter avoid being mounted?
Koreshkov prevents Carter from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov dominated that round.
That's time! Koreshkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Carter has a takedown stuffed.
A big right from Carter misses.
Koreshkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Koreshkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Carter can do to turn this around?

Carter has Koreshkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Carter - that landed with a thud.
Koreshkov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Carter fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Carter throws a shot from downtown. Koreshkov moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Carter. Koreshkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Carter scores with a decent looking hook.
Koreshkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A counter left hand to the body from Koreshkov misses its target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carter is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Carter tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koreshkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Carter somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Koreshkov has time to react.
Koreshkov slips a jab from Carter.
Carter throws a right hand that misses

and Koreshkov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Carter won't be happy with that.
Carter wants to control but Koreshkov postures up.
Carter tries to bench press Koreshkov off him but Koreshkov keeps the position.
Koreshkov tries to advance to mount but Carter denies him.
Koreshkov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Carter tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Koreshkov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Koreshkov landing strikes from the mount and Carter is in trouble!
Carter wants to hold on but Koreshkov pushes him away.
Koreshkov working the ground and pound effectively.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Koreshkov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Carter turns into him and now he's in Koreshkov's guard.
Carter landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov is trying to control the position but Carter postures up.
Carter postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Carter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koreshkov is keeping the position for now.
Alexander Koreshkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Carter controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Koreshkov is trying to control the position but Carter postures up.
Carter stopping the sweep attempt from Koreshkov.
Koreshkov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Koreshkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Carter keeping full guard, as Koreshkov tries to pass.
Koreshkov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter trying to control the position.
Carter is pulling down on Koreshkov's head. It's preventing any offense from Koreshkov, at least for the moment.
Koreshkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Carter trying to control the position here.
Carter keeping full guard, as Koreshkov tries to pass.
Koreshkov connects with a couple of short punches.
Koreshkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Carter's head.
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carter wants to sweep here but Koreshkov controlling him for the moment.
Carter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Koreshkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koreshkov working some strikes from top position.
Carter has momentary wrist control but Koreshkov slips an elbow through the middle.
Koreshkov advances to half guard.
Koreshkov wants to pass to mount but Carter is defending the position.
Carter controlling the position well.
Carter tries to get to full guard but Koreshkov has control of the leg.
Koreshkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Koreshkov not doing much here.
Carter is trying to maintain the position but Koreshkov is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Carter misses with a wild body shot.
Carter tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Koreshkov defends well and Carter ends up having to push Koreshkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Koreshkov misses with a wild body shot.

Carter clinches up against the cage.
Carter holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Koreshkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Carter goes for a double leg but Koreshkov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Koreshkov continues to drive forward.
Carter with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Carter tries to clinch up

and Koreshkov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Carter trying to control but Koreshkov postures up.
Carter is staying active underneath Koreshkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Koreshkov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Koreshkov passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Koreshkov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Carter gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Koreshkov lands a nice short elbow.
Carter tries to roll over but Koreshkov keeps him under control.
Koreshkov is trying to control. Carter wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Carter trying to control from the bottom.
Carter is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Koreshkov is staying active.
Koreshkov throwing shots but Carter is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter moves into full guard.
Koreshkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carter is keeping the position for now.
Carter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Koreshkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koreshkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Koreshkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Carter has Koreshkov pulled in close to control his posture.
Koreshkov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Koreshkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Koreshkov controlling from the top position.
Carter seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koreshkov being controlled here momentarily.
Carter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Koreshkov 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.
Koreshkov looking to pass the guard.
Carter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Koreshkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koreshkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Koreshkov distracts Carter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Koreshkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Carter working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Koreshkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Koreshkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Carter is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koreshkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koreshkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Koreshkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Carter seems keen to control Koreshkov's posture.
Koreshkov throwing strikes but missing.
Koreshkov looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carter seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Koreshkov wants to pass the guard but Carter is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov clearly takes that round.
That's time! Koreshkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Carter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Carter tries to get set, Koreshkov tries to push him back and clinch up but Carter manages to avoid the attempt.
Carter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Koreshkov fails to land the takedown.
Koreshkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A quick step to the side and Koreshkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Carter misses.
Carter shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koreshkov but Koreshkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Carter throws a looping overhand right but Koreshkov ducks down to avoid it.
Koreshkov fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Koreshkov misses the target.
Carter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Koreshkov gets a double leg takedown into Carter's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Carter's guard.
Carter makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Carter.
Koreshkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koreshkov preventing the sweep.
Koreshkov chips away with some ground and pound.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Koreshkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Koreshkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carter is keeping the position for now.
Carter working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koreshkov.
Carter has control of Koreshkov's left arm, preventing Koreshkov from doing any damage.
Koreshkov distracts Carter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Carter controls Koreshkov momentarily but Koreshkov frees himself.
Carter looking for a sweep. Not yet Carter, not yet.
Carter controls Koreshkov momentarily but Koreshkov frees himself.
Carter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Koreshkov passes into half guard.
Carter keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Carter tries to roll over but Koreshkov keeps him under control.
Koreshkov wants to pass the guard but Carter is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter is looking to improve his position.
Carter is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Koreshkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Carter gets full guard.
Koreshkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Carter working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koreshkov.
Carter keeping full guard, as Koreshkov tries to pass.
Koreshkov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Koreshkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Koreshkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koreshkov looking to pass the guard.
Koreshkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Koreshkov has gone for a leg lock! Carter slips out almost immediately though and dives into Koreshkov's guard.

Carter with a nice head shot there.
Carter landing with the ground and pound.
Carter wants to control from the top but Koreshkov keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Koreshkov had his way with Michael Carter in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Carter tries for a takedown but Koreshkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Carter looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Koreshkov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Carter throws a hook but Koreshkov avoids it easily.
Koreshkov misses with a wild body shot.
Carter tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Carter just misses with a punch to the body.
Carter slaps away a takedown attempt from Koreshkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Carter paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koreshkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Carter's waist but Carter gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koreshkov off to one side.
Koreshkov drops his hands momentarily and Carter takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koreshkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Koreshkov is pressing down on Carter's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Koreshkov seems keen to control Carter's posture.
Koreshkov keeping moving, preventing Carter from controlling successfully.
Carter preventing the sweep.
Carter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Carter not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Koreshkov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Carter controls from within his opponent's guard.
Carter lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Koreshkov has momentary wrist control but Carter slips an elbow through the middle.
Koreshkov trying to control the position.
Carter with a nice head shot there.
Carter preventing the sweep.
Carter in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Carter won't allow Koreshkov to sweep him here.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Koreshkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koreshkov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Carter throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Koreshkov's waist but Koreshkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Carter off to one side.
Alexander Koreshkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Carter.
Carter looks to land a right hand but Koreshkov moved out of range.
Carter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Carter throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Carter connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter loads up on a big right hand but Koreshkov slips the punch.
Koreshkov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Koreshkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Koreshkov gets a double leg takedown into Carter's guard.
Carter pulls Koreshkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Koreshkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Carter looking for a sweep. Not yet Carter, not yet.
Koreshkov trying to control but Carter is working from the bottom.
Carter is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Carter looking to control.
Koreshkov wants to control from the top but Carter keeps moving.
Michael Carter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Carter is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Carter trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Carter on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Carter moves to clinch but Koreshkov breaks away

and Koreshkov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Koreshkov trying to control but Carter is working from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Koreshkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Carter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koreshkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koreshkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Koreshkov postures up in Carter's guard and throws a big left but Carter blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Michael Carter.
I think Koreshkov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 49:46
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Koreshkov!
Alexander Koreshkov retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Alexander Koreshkov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.