PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Smirnov (ranked 2603 p4p, 5231 weight class) and Kirill Krasnov (ranked 314 p4p, 530 weight class). Ivan Smirnov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smirnov
vs
Krasnov

175 cm
20
185
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
185
3 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Conviction

Rekt Inevitably

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kirill Krasnov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, John Mangel and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Smirnov does no damage.
Krasnov throws a right hand that misses

and Smirnov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Krasnov trying to control the position.
Krasnov pulls Smirnov in close to prevent any damage.
Krasnov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smirnov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smirnov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Krasnov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Krasnov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Krasnov!

Smirnov is looking for a sweep.
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.
Smirnov is working hard here to advance position.
Krasnov trying to control the position but Smirnov is working away.
You can see the frustration on Smirnov's face as Krasnov controls the position.
Krasnov throws a strike aimed at the side of Smirnov's head but Smirnov avoids it well.
Krasnov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Krasnov wants to control but Smirnov is keeping him busy.
Krasnov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smirnov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Krasnov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Krasnov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Krasnov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Smirnov!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krasnov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smirnov is squirming around, avoiding Krasnov's attempts to control the action.
Krasnov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Krasnov landing punches.

Krasnov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Smirnov is surviving well by controlling Krasnov's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krasnov controlling the position easily from mount.
Krasnov wants to take his opponent's back but Smirnov doesn't allow it.
Smirnov tries to hold on but Krasnov postures up.

Krasnov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Krasnov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Smirnov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Smirnov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Krasnov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Smirnov is on top in guard.
Krasnov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Krasnov is trying to control. Smirnov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smirnov wants to control but Krasnov is keeping busy.
Krasnov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smirnov keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Krasnov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Krasnov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jab, jab by Krasnov - just one landing.
Nice body kick from Krasnov.
Smirnov lands with a shot to the body.
Smirnov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Krasnov under the eye.
Krasnov misses with a wild body shot.
Donk. Krasnov catches Smirnov right on the button with a cross.
Smirnov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Krasnov pinned against the cage. Krasnov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov throws out a powerful jab.
Krasnov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A left lands for Smirnov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Krasnov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smirnov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Krasnov tries to get the hooks in deep but Smirnov pushed the leg off.

Krasnov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Smirnov is defending well though. Krasnov let's go of the attempt for now.
Krasnov missing with strikes from the back.

Smirnov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Krasnov's arms.
Smirnov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Krasnov looking to break Smirnov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Smirnov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Krasnov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Krasnov is cranking Smirnov's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Smirnov! He's tightened the choke and Smirnov is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kirill Krasnov!