PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Kostrov (ranked 6488 p4p, 531 weight class) and Conor McGregor (ranked 3223 p4p, 334 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kostrov
vs
McGregor

170 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kostrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
McGregor moves to clinch but Kostrov breaks away
and Kostrov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kostrov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McGregor on the side of the head.
Nice shot lands for Kostrov.
McGregor is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kostrov.

It looks like Conor McGregor has been cut.
Conor McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kostrov throws a sloppy head kick and McGregor moves out of range easily.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kostrov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGregor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kostrov. Kostrov obviously looking to wear him down.
Kostrov throws a head kick that misses.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
Kostrov loads up on a big right hand but McGregor slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor tries to clinch there but Kostrov circles away.
Kostrov keeps the fight on the outside.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Kostrov moves away and avoids it.
Kostrov is looking to counter punch.
Nice defenses there by McGregor.
Kostrov defending well as McGregor loads up on a big left hand.
McGregor misses with an uppercut.
McGregor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kostrov throws a shot from downtown. McGregor moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Kostrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostrov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kostrov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Kostrov as he connects with a hook.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Kostrov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

McGregor instigates a clinch.
McGregor has Kostrov pressed against the ropes, preventing Kostrov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kostrov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McGregor tries to work over Kostrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McGregor working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Kostrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Kostrov.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov moves out of range.
McGregor punishes Kostrov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kostrov ducks under a wild hook from McGregor.
Kostrov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McGregor ducks right into an uppercut from Kostrov.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
It looked like Kostrov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McGregor wants to clinch up but Kostrov keeps it at a distance.
Kostrov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McGregor takes a swing at Kostrov's ribcage but misses.
Kostrov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kostrov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kostrov slips a jab and a cross from McGregor.
McGregor moves out of range as Kostrov strikes.

McGregor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
McGregor can't get the takedown.
McGregor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGregor misses with some punches.
Kostrov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGregor has him pressed against the ropes.
Kostrov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McGregor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kostrov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kostrov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kostrov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McGregor jumps guard but Kostrov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Sergey Kostrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor McGregor.
Kostrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGregor blocking some punches.
Kostrov is trying to force a seperation but McGregor has the dominant position.

Kostrov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov throws a head kick but McGregor moves out of range.
McGregor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGregor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kostrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kostrov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McGregor takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kostrov looks to throw the jab but McGregor is out of range.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov is having none of it.
Kostrov throws a hook to the side of McGregor's head but McGregor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kostrov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McGregor tries to clinch up.
Nice defenses there by McGregor.
Kostrov thuds his right hand into McGregor's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've been informed that McGregor has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Kostrov lands with a shot to the body.
Kostrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McGregor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kostrov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McGregor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGregor scores with a nice head shot.
Kostrov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kostrov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kostrov misses with a looping left.
Kostrov swats away the attempt to clinch by McGregor.
McGregor takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from McGregor. Kostrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
Kostrov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McGregor makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
McGregor swinging wildly here.
Nice defenses there by McGregor.
McGregor doesn't manage to clinch there - Kostrov circles away.
Kostrov is looking to counter punch.
McGregor throws a hook but Kostrov avoids it easily.
Kostrov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McGregor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kostrov.
Kostrov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov loads up on a big right hand but McGregor slips the punch.
McGregor jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Kostrov.
McGregor doesn't manage to clinch there - Kostrov circles away.
Kostrov throws a series of punches but McGregor avoids them all with ease.
Kostrov looks to land a right hand but McGregor moved out of range.
McGregor throws a body shot but no joy.
Kostrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGregor getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McGregor slips a jab from Kostrov.
Kostrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
A slow jab from Kostrov misses its intended target.
McGregor moves in looking to clinch but Kostrov pushes him off.

McGregor has managed to clinch.
McGregor has a couple of punches blocked by Kostrov.
Kostrov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kostrov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
McGregor is trying to pull guard but Kostrov turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Kostrov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A low kick from Kostrov is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kostrov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kostrov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kostrov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kostrov avoids the body shot from McGregor.
Kostrov throws a sloppy head kick and McGregor moves out of range easily.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
A quick step to the side and Kostrov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kostrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Kostrov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kostrov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kostrov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and McGregor makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McGregor feints a jab promting Kostrov to slip. McGregor then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kostrov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McGregor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kostrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McGregor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kostrov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kostrov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McGregor scoring well with a low kick there.
Kostrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice defenses there by McGregor.
McGregor doesn't manage to clinch there - Kostrov circles away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kostrov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGregor checks the leg kick.
McGregor is looking to clinch.

McGregor rushes Kostrov and presses him up against the ropes.
McGregor lands a hook to the side of the head.
McGregor jumps guard but Kostrov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

McGregor pulls Kostrov into guard.
Kostrov wants to control from the top but McGregor keeps moving.
McGregor wants to stand and escape but Kostrov is having none of it.
McGregor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kostrov is one step ahead there.
Kostrov wants to control from the top but McGregor keeps moving.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov wants to pass the guard but McGregor is keeping the position.
McGregor wants to get back to his feet but Kostrov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

McGregor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kostrov lands with a nice body punch.
A good leg kick by Kostrov.

McGregor has managed to clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a hook from the clinch.

McGregor breaks from the clinch.
McGregor slips under a jab.
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGregor lands a body shot.
Kostrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McGregor looks to throw the jab but Kostrov is out of range.
A jab from Kostrov misses.
Kostrov lands a leg kick that knocks McGregor off balance momentarily.
McGregor checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McGregor scores with a jab. Kostrov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McGregor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov is having none of it.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
Kostrov quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
McGregor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kostrov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kostrov misses with a straight right.
Kostrov keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab from Kostrov.
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 Sergey Kostrov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Conor McGregor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McGregor throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kostrov.

McGregor closes the distance and clinches.
McGregor misses with a hook from the clinch.

Kostrov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov is having none of it.

McGregor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kostrov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kostrov blocking some punches.

Kostrov breaks from the clinch.
Kostrov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McGregor is out of range.
Some wild striking there from McGregor.
Kostrov is looking for a counter combo.
Kostrov misses the shot to the body.
Kostrov looks for the body kick but McGregor saw that one coming.
McGregor lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
McGregor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kostrov.
McGregor shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kostrov eats them both and turns towards McGregor to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kostrov swats away the attempt to clinch by McGregor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor throws a nice looking combination but Kostrov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kostrov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McGregor looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
McGregor closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McGregor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kostrov misses the jab.
Kostrov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kostrov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McGregor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kostrov backs up against the ropes.
Kostrov tries a head kick but it misses.
McGregor fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McGregor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kostrov scores with a sloppy right hand. McGregor should have avoided that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kostrov.
Conor McGregor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kostrov is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McGregor moves out of range of the leg kick from Kostrov.
Kostrov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kostrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McGregor.
Kostrov tries to move into range but McGregor moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor looks to score with a jab to the body but Kostrov is just out of range.
Kostrov throws an overhand right that lands on McGregor's shoulder, as McGregor tries to avoid the shot.
Kostrov connects with a jab.
Kostrov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McGregor's head backwards.
McGregor misses with a series of wild punches.
Kostrov throwing a counter right hand but McGregor manages to avoid it.
McGregor blocks a head kick by Kostrov.
McGregor wants to clinch.
McGregor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kostrov moves away.
Nice uppercut lands for McGregor. That snapped Kostrov's head back.
Kostrov moves into range and connects with a jab.
McGregor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kostrov backs up against the ropes.

It looks like Sergey Kostrov has been cut.
Nice straight punches there by Kostrov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kostrov.
McGregor defending well as Kostrov loads up on a big left hand.
Sergey Kostrov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kostrov feints and then cracks McGregor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McGregor down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor staying out of range there.
Kostrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kostrov avoids the body shot from McGregor.
Kostrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McGregor.
The fighters circling - Kostrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McGregor moves out of range of the strikes.
McGregor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kostrov scores with a decent looking hook.
Kostrov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGregor has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
McGregor throws a combination. Kostrov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McGregor takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McGregor slips under a jab from Kostrov.
McGregor throws out a counter right but Kostrov avoids it with no problem.
McGregor avoids the head kick by Kostrov.
McGregor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGregor keeps Kostrov at a distance using the push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGregor lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kostrov backwards.
Kostrov lands a left hand that snaps the head of McGregor backwards.
Kostrov is trying to break free.

McGregor jumps guard and drags Kostrov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kostrov trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kostrov tries to free his leg and advance position but McGregor is retaining full guard.
McGregor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McGregor trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kostrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McGregor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kostrov postures up in McGregor's guard and throws a big left but McGregor blocks it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Kostrov from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McGregor tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kostrov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kostrov tries to bum rush McGregor with a series of wild strikes but McGregor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGregor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kostrov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McGregor moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kostrov throws a leg kick
and McGregor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nice body punch from McGregor.
Kostrov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McGregor doesn't seem bothered though.
McGregor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kostrov momentarily.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Kostrov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A jab from Kostrov misses.
Kostrov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kostrov throws out a loose jab but McGregor uses good head movement to avoid it.
McGregor misses with a body shot.
Kostrov throws a nice looking combination but McGregor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McGregor closes the distance but Kostrov moves to the side
enabling Kostrov to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor wants to clinch.
Kostrov misses with a low kick.
McGregor fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice defenses there by Kostrov.
Kostrov is looking to counter punch.
McGregor tries to clinch up but Kostrov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kostrov throws a lazy right hand but McGregor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McGregor slips under a jab from Kostrov.
Kostrov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McGregor feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kostrovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kostrov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McGregor.
Kostrov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kostrov keeps the fight on the outside.
McGregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kostrov circles away quickly and effectively.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kostrov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McGregor tries to clinch up.
A big left from Kostrov misses.
McGregor throws out a counter right but Kostrov avoids it with no problem.
McGregor checks a low kick from Kostrov.
McGregor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kostrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kostrov throws a hook but McGregor avoids it easily.
McGregor tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kostrov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McGregor fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov moves out of range.
Kostrov misses with a looping right.
McGregor punishes Kostrov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kostrov avoids the body shot from McGregor.
McGregor tries to clinch there but Kostrov circles away.
McGregor slips a jab and a cross from Kostrov.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov moves out of range.
McGregor pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kostrov back to the ropes. McGregor follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov moves out of range.
A big left from Kostrov misses.
McGregor swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kostrov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A punch combination from McGregor misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kostrov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kostrov misses with an uppercut.
Kostrov throws an overhand right that lands on McGregor's shoulder, as McGregor tries to avoid the shot.
Good standup being displayed there by McGregor as he connects with a hook.
McGregor misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - McGregor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice combination there by Kostrov.
Kostrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kostrov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McGregor is looking to clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McGregor moves away from the strike by Kostrov.
Kostrov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kostrov circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kostrov is having none of it.

McGregor gets a clinch.

McGregor gets control of Kostrov's arms and successfully pulls guard. McGregor will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kostrov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGregor trying to keep a closed guard but Kostrov is proving a slippery customer.
Kostrov looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGregor is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Conor McGregor.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Sergey Kostrov!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Conor McGregor!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Sergey Kostrov!

Sergey Kostrov wins by split decision!
A very excited looking Sergey Kostrov 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.