PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eldar Yanbaev (ranked 4442 p4p, 21901 weight class) and Alvin Stainthorpe (ranked 483 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Yanbaev
vs
Stainthorpe

186 cm
23
192
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
35
198
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eldar Yanbaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alvin Stainthorpe!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stainthorpe looks to score with a jab to the body but Yanbaev is just out of range.
Stainthorpe stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stainthorpe wants it to stay on the feet.
Yanbaev tries to clinch but Stainthorpe moves away
and Stainthorpe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yanbaev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stainthorpe steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Yanbaev.

Yanbaev moves into range and clinches up with Stainthorpe.
Stainthorpe working hard to break the clinch.
Yanbaev tries to throw a body punch but Stainthorpe avoids it by throwing Yanbaev back against the cage.
Stainthorpe stalling in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Yanbaev.
Stainthorpe is looking to break free of the clinch but Yanbaev has double underhooks.

Yanbaev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Stainthorpe can't fight it off and eventually Yanbaev manages to take the fight to the floor. Stainthorpe looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Yanbaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Stainthorpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stainthorpe trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yanbaev controls from within his opponent's guard.
Yanbaev trying to control but Stainthorpe is working from the bottom.
Stainthorpe looking to control.

Stainthorpe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yanbaev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stainthorpe is keeping the position for now.
Yanbaev wants to control from the top but Stainthorpe keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stainthorpe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Yanbaev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stainthorpe counters by clinching up.
Yanbaev tries a body shot but Stainthorpe blocks it.
Stainthorpe's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Yanbaev tries to land knees in the clinch but Stainthorpe avoids the damage to the body.
Stainthorpe tries to pull guard but Yanbaev won't allow it.
Yanbaev misses with a punch to the body.
Yanbaev is pushing Stainthorpe up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Yanbaev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Stainthorpe's face.

It looks like Alvin Stainthorpe has been cut.
Stainthorpe fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Eldar Yanbaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvin Stainthorpe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yanbaev prevents the takedown attempt.

Stainthorpe pulls guard successfully.
Stainthorpe trying to keep a closed guard but Yanbaev is proving a slippery customer.
Yanbaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Stainthorpe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yanbaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yanbaev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Yanbaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stainthorpe wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Yanbaev passes Stainthorpe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stainthorpe wants to get back to full guard.

Yanbaev seems to be working for a kimura but Stainthorpe defends the submission attempt.
Yanbaev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Yanbaev seems to be working for a kimura but Stainthorpe defends the submission attempt.

Yanbaev is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Stainthorpe is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Eldar Yanbaev!