PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jari Kuokkanen (ranked 3625 p4p, 4501 weight class) and Ruslan Nurmagomedov (ranked 0 p4p, 516 weight class). Ruslan Nurmagomedov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kuokkanen
vs
Nurmagomedov

170 cm
25
175
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
168
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jari Kuokkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Nurmagomedov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurmagomedov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nurmagomedov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuokkanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Kuokkanen takes a swing at Nurmagomedov's ribcage but misses.

Nurmagomedov gets tackled into the cage by Kuokkanen. Kuokkanen maintains the clinch.
Kuokkanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurmagomedov is looking for a takedown.
Jari Kuokkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Nurmagomedov.
Kuokkanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nurmagomedov's elbow.
Kuokkanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Nurmagomedov uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuokkanen.
Nurmagomedov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nurmagomedov wants to break free but Kuokkanen has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuokkanen slows down the pace here.
Kuokkanen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nurmagomedov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kuokkanen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Kuokkanen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kuokkanen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kuokkanen keeping moving, preventing Nurmagomedov from controlling successfully.

Nurmagomedov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kuokkanen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nurmagomedov, into his guard.

Kuokkanen advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuokkanen is looking for a kimura but Nurmagomedov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuokkanen to get the leverage.

Kuokkanen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nurmagomedov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kuokkanen.

Kuokkanen looking for a submission but Nurmagomedov manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Kuokkanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuokkanen could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuokkanen has gone for a leg lock! Nurmagomedov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kuokkanen's guard.

Nurmagomedov is sitting in close to Kuokkanen's body. Kuokkanen has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Nurmagomedov is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Nurmagomedov is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Kuokkanen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jari Kuokkanen!