PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Rutherford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bashorov comes to the cage accompanied by Hangar 18. 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?

Bashorov
vs
Rutherford

190 cm
34
194 lbs
25 - 5 - 0

183 cm
30
186 lbs
25 - 3 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System
Urban Fighter

Reaper Combatwear
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steven Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashorov blocks the body kick.
Bashorov 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.
Rutherford misses the shot to the body.
Rutherford lands with a nice body kick.
Rutherford throws a front kick that sends Bashorov stumbling back into the cage.
Rutherford keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bashorov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rutherford swings for the body but Bashorov moves out of range.
Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutherford uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Bashorov avoids the body shot from Rutherford.
Rutherford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bashorov was well out of range. Poor timing from Rutherford.
It looked like Bashorov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bashorov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bashorov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
That kick from Rutherford tenderised Bashorov's leg. Bashorov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bashorov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutherford throws a poor cross that misses
and Bashorov counters with a straight right hand.
Bashorov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rutherford.
Bashorov misses with an uppercut. Rutherford saw that one coming.
Rutherford throws out a counter right but Bashorov avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford loads up on a big right hand but Bashorov slips the punch.
Bashorov throwing a counter right hand but Rutherford manages to avoid it.
Rutherford throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rutherford showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bashorov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rutherford! But no joy.
Bashorov lands a jab to the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Bashorov as he connects with a hook.
Rutherford lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Steven Rutherford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rutherford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karim Bashorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bashorov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bashorov blocks a jab.
Bashorov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rutherford.
It looked like Bashorov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rutherford.
Bashorov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rutherford lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rutherford enables Bashorov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rutherford manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bashorov wants to pass the guard but Rutherford is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov trying to control but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Rutherford looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bashorov is stalling in the full guard.
Bashorov wants to control from the top but Rutherford keeps moving.
Bashorov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov postures up in Rutherford's guard and throws a big left but Rutherford blocks it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bashorov landing some decent shots from guard.
Rutherford utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bashorov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bashorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutherford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bashorov is stalling in the full guard.
Bashorov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rutherford looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rutherford fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bashorov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rutherford just misses with a punch to the body.
Bashorov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bashorov.
Bashorov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rutherford is looking to slow Bashorov down with leg kicks.
Rutherford keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It seemed like Rutherford was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bashorov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bashorov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rutherford cracks Bashorov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rutherford bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bashorov's head.
Bashorov scores with a jab. Rutherford acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
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 Karim Bashorov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rutherford throws a body kick that misses.
Rutherford is looking to slow Bashorov down with leg kicks.
Rutherford shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rutherford.
Rutherford is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bashorov.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Bashorov.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
Bashorov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rutherford sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rutherford is looking to slow Bashorov down with leg kicks.
Bashorov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rutherford.
Bashorov avoids the body shot from Rutherford.
Bashorov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov throws the left hand but Rutherford avoids the punch easily.
A slow jab from Rutherford misses its intended target.
Steven Rutherford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bashorov missing with a left hand there. Rutherford was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bashorov misses with a hook. Rutherford ducked under it nicely.
Rutherford throws out a counter right but Bashorov avoids it with no problem.
Bashorov throws an overhand right that lands on Rutherford's shoulder, as Rutherford tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Bashorov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Bashorov trying to control but Rutherford is working from the bottom.
Rutherford seems keen to control Bashorov's posture.
Rutherford keeping moving, preventing Bashorov from controlling successfully.
Bashorov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rutherford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bashorov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bashorov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bashorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rutherford thows a leg kick but Bashorov checks it

and Bashorov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rutherford avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bashorov wants to pass the guard but Rutherford is keeping the position.
Rutherford pulls Bashorov in close to prevent any damage.
Rutherford controls Bashorov momentarily but Bashorov frees himself.
Rutherford wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov wants to control from the top but Rutherford keeps moving.
Rutherford is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov trying to control but Rutherford is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rutherford.
Bashorov stalks Rutherford and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rutherford's face. Rutherford staggers backwards, shaken.
Bashorov looks to throw the jab but Rutherford is out of range.
A cross from Bashorov lands.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rutherford moves away.
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rutherford tries a low kick but Bashorov avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bashorov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rutherford scrambles back to his feet.
Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy.
Bashorov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Rutherford misses.
Rutherford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rutherford throws a jab but it's blocked by Bashorov.
Rutherford throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bashorov on the side of the head.
Bashorov misses with a straight right.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rutherford enables Bashorov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rutherford manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rutherford is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov distracts Rutherford with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bashorov is fighting to break Rutherford's control of his arms but Rutherford is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Bashorov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bashorov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bashorov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rutherford.
Rutherford lands a nice looking body kick.
Rutherford displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bashorov throws out the jab.
Bashorov throws a big shot that misses.
A jab from Bashorov misses.
Rutherford throws a nice looking combination but Bashorov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bashorov is looking to counter punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Rutherford.
Rutherford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Rutherford on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rutherford looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bashorov shoots in for a takedown but Rutherford shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rutherford is just out of range.
Rutherford stuns Bashorov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rutherford misses with a hook.
Rutherford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bashorov manages to avoid it.
Bashorov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rutherford.
Bashorov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rutherford fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bashorov.
Bashorov throws a jab when Rutherford was well out of range.

Bashorov shoots in and gets a takedown into Rutherford's guard.
Bashorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutherford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rutherford is trying to keep Bashorov in close.
Bashorov wants to control from the top but Rutherford keeps moving.
Rutherford pulls Bashorov in close to his closed guard and prevents Bashorov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rutherford trying to keep a closed guard but Bashorov is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov throwing strikes from guard but Rutherford blocks nicely.
Rutherford not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bashorov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bashorov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rutherford can do to turn this around?
Rutherford slips under a jab from Bashorov.
Rutherford misses with a hook
and Bashorov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rutherford is just out of range.
Bashorov misses the shot to the body.
Rutherford is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Rutherford slips a straight right by Bashorov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rutherford.
Bashorov throws a hook but Rutherford blocks it.
Bashorov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A telegraphed right hand from Bashorov misses the target.
Rutherford moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.
Bashorov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rutherford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bashorov somewhat.
Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good exchange - Bashorov coming out on top.
Rutherford throws a hook to the side of Bashorov's head but Bashorov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bashorov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bashorov misses with a straight left.
Rutherford takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rutherford throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bashorov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bashorov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rutherford.
Rutherford with a nice cross.
Bashorov misses with a series of wild punches.
Rutherford feints and then cracks Bashorov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bashorov down.
Rutherford cracks Bashorov with an open hand slap.
Bashorov lands a nice looking body shot.
Rutherford drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bashorov staying out of range there.
Bashorov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rutherford counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rutherford lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bashorov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rutherford thows a leg kick but Bashorov checks it

and Bashorov counters with a single leg into guard. Rutherford didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Karim Bashorov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bashorov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bashorov showed some decent athleticism there.
Rutherford is not content to let Bashorov control the position.
Bashorov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rutherford knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bashorov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rutherford keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee warns Rutherford that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bashorov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rutherford can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bashorov landing shots from mount.
Bashorov with a couple of short strikes.
Rutherford manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rutherford felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Bashorov is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford keeping control of the position.
Bashorov stalling away here and it's allowed Rutherford to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Bashorov is in close to Rutherford's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bashorov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov distracts Rutherford with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rutherford throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Bashorov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bashorov cracks Rutherford with a solid left hand.
Rutherford trying to keep a closed guard but Bashorov is proving a slippery customer.
Bashorov postures up in Rutherford's guard and throws a big left but Rutherford blocks it.
Bashorov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rutherford's head.
Rutherford seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bashorov is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bashorov, as that shot connected.
Bashorov misses with a straight right.
Rutherford looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rutherford looks for the body kick but Bashorov saw that one coming.
Bashorov misses with a straight right.
Rutherford scores with a jab. Bashorov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rutherford pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bashorov is out of range and Rutherford settles back down.
A little feinted left hand from Bashorov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rutherford throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rutherford throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Rutherford.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov had his way with Steven Rutherford in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rutherford closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Steven Rutherford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bashorov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A low kick from Rutherford is predictable there
and Bashorov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rutherford drops his hands momentarily and Bashorov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rutherford misses with a low kick.
Bashorov attempts a counter takedown but Rutherford avoids it well and moves away.
Rutherford moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rutherford gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bashorov.
Bashorov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rutherford throws a hook but Bashorov blocks it.
Bashorov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rutherford lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bashorov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bashorov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rutherford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bashorov is looking for a counter combo.
Rutherford with a jab.
Rutherford throws a jab but it's blocked by Bashorov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good shot there by Bashorov.
Bashorov scores with a body shot.
Rutherford misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rutherford was well out of range. Poor timing from Bashorov.
Bashorov scores with a nice right hand.
Rutherford takes one to the side of the head.
Bashorov lands a nice shot that snaps Rutherford's head back.
Bashorov misses the jab.
Rutherford has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bashorov finds it's way round the side to connect with Rutherford's head.
A jab from Bashorov misses.
Rutherford follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Bashorov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rutherford on the side of the head.
Rutherford has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bashorov finds it's way round the side to connect with Rutherford's head.
Rutherford lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bashorov will feel that in the morning.
Rutherford dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bashorov moves out of range as Rutherford strikes.
Rutherford tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bashorov is able to avoid easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A shot to the body from Rutherford misses

so Bashorov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Karim Bashorov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rutherford is trying to control the position but Bashorov postures up.
Bashorov is in close to Rutherford's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rutherford working a defensive guard here.
Bashorov distracts Rutherford with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bashorov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rutherford is adopting a defensive guard.
Bashorov postures up and lands a big shot to Rutherford's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutherford keeping moving, preventing Bashorov from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rutherford trying to keep a closed guard but Bashorov is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rutherford has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A swing and a miss from Rutherford.
Rutherford moves away from the strike by Bashorov.
Rutherford misses with a kick to the body.
Bashorov blocks the body kick.
Bashorov is looking to counter punch.
Bashorov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rutherford.
Rutherford keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bashorov.
Karim Bashorov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov misses with a right hand
enabling Rutherford to counter with a crisp jab.
Bashorov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rutherford counters with a left to the body.

Bashorov looking to score a takedown here. Rutherford is defending well but Bashorov drives through and ends up in Rutherford's guard.
Rutherford wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Bashorov manages to pass to side control.

Rutherford has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bashorov is working away from the top position though.
Bashorov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bashorov lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rutherford actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karim Bashorov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bashorov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:45
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karim Bashorov!
A very excited looking Karim Bashorov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.