PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darjus Nikolaichev (ranked 3579 p4p, 4119 weight class) and Khaing Htut (ranked 394 p4p, 491 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nikolaichev
vs
Htut

180 cm
26
160
3 - 6 - 0

150 cm
25
170
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Darjus Nikolaichev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khaing Htut!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Htut clinches up against the cage.
Htut is trying to pull guard but Nikolaichev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Nikolaichev definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Nikolaichev turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Nikolaichev manages to end up in side control.
Nikolaichev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Nikolaichev fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Nikolaichev scores with punches from side control.
Htut tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Nikolaichev easily slips into full mount!
Nikolaichev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Htut wants to control but Nikolaichev is having none of it.
Htut might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nikolaichev haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Htut sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Nikolaichev controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikolaichev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Htut wants to control but Nikolaichev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nikolaichev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Htut wants to get back to full guard.
Nikolaichev trying to mount his opponent but Htut defends it.
Htut holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Htut looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nikolaichev is looking to advance position but Htut won't allow it.
Htut is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nikolaichev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nikolaichev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Htut on the ground.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Htut is staying active underneath Nikolaichev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nikolaichev controlling the pace.
Nikolaichev throws a strike but Htut avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Htut is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nikolaichev defends well.
Htut keeping moving, preventing Nikolaichev from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Htut is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nikolaichev trying to control the position from guard on top but Htut is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Htut gets a clinch.
Htut is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nikolaichev to keep the fight standing.

Nikolaichev tightens his grip and picks Htut up, before dumping him to the ground. Htut manages to land in guard.
Htut looking to control.
Nikolaichev looking to pass the guard.
Nikolaichev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Khaing Htut!
Khaing Htut decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.