PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Louis Edwards (ranked 2625 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elmir Zhemaletdinov (ranked 2408 p4p, 0 weight class). Louis Edwards had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Edwards
vs
Zhemaletdinov

184 cm
27
159 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

168 cm
26
157 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Louis Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Elmir Zhemaletdinov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhemaletdinov dives in for a single leg takedown but Edwards sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zhemaletdinov has his takedown stuffed

and Edwards counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zhemaletdinov looks winded!

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.

Zhemaletdinov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Edwards pulls his head out easily.

Edwards is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zhemaletdinov is looking for a sweep. Edwards is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zhemaletdinov 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards trying to control from half guard but Zhemaletdinov is working away.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Edwards there.
Zhemaletdinov is looking to improve his position.

Zhemaletdinov actively working from the bottom here.

Zhemaletdinov actively working from the bottom here.
Edwards performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.
Edwards will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
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. Edwards connects with a nice short shot to Zhemaletdinov's temple.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Edwards trying to mount his opponent but Zhemaletdinov defends it.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.

Zhemaletdinov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Edwards pulls his head out easily.
Edwards is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhemaletdinov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Edwards lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zhemaletdinov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Edwards is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhemaletdinov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Edwards is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhemaletdinov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zhemaletdinov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Edwards escapes and throws Zhemaletdinov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Zhemaletdinov is trying to get back to half guard.
Edwards trying to control the position but Zhemaletdinov is working away.

Edwards working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zhemaletdinov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Edwards knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zhemaletdinov on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.
Edwards performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Zhemaletdinov actively working from the bottom here.
Edwards trying to mount his opponent but Zhemaletdinov defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zhemaletdinov looking for submissions off his back.
Edwards controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zhemaletdinov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Edwards defends well and Zhemaletdinov ends up having to push Edwards into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Edwards shoots for a takedown but Zhemaletdinov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Elmir Zhemaletdinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhemaletdinov fails to land the takedown.
Edwards looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Edwards shoots in but no luck this time.
Edwards defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zhemaletdinov.
Louis Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elmir Zhemaletdinov.
Edwards buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zhemaletdinov as he avoids it easily.
Zhemaletdinov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zhemaletdinov shoots in looking for a takedown but Edwards manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zhemaletdinov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Edwards has Zhemaletdinov up against the cage in a clinch.
Edwards lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards successfully pulls guard.

Zhemaletdinov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Zhemaletdinov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhemaletdinov postures up.

Zhemaletdinov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zhemaletdinov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Edwards trying to control the position here.

Zhemaletdinov drops back looking for a leg! Edwards is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Edwards manages to kick Zhemaletdinov off! Zhemaletdinov jumps back into Edwards's guard.

Zhemaletdinov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Zhemaletdinov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Louis Edwards overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Edwards wants to sweep here but Zhemaletdinov controlling him for the moment.

Zhemaletdinov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Edwards wants to sweep here but Zhemaletdinov controlling him for the moment.

Edwards looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Edwards is looking for a triangle but Zhemaletdinov pushes his legs off easily.
Edwards is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhemaletdinov can do to turn this around?

Zhemaletdinov drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Zhemaletdinov as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Edwards screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Zhemaletdinov! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Elmir Zhemaletdinov!