PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Kruglov (ranked 1752 p4p, 1944 weight class) and Chimzat Khamaev (ranked 235 p4p, 263 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kruglov
vs
Khamaev

175 cm
21
179
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
27
170
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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Champion Apparel

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥
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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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viktor Kruglov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chimzat Khamaev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khamaev slips under a jab.
Khamaev misses with a wild body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Kruglov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kruglov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kruglov throws a right and a left that Khamaev avoids nicely.
Khamaev is looking to clinch but Kruglov is avoiding it.
Khamaev misses the jab.
Khamaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kruglov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khamaev staying out of range there.
Khamaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kruglov moves away.
Kruglov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Khamaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Khamaev lands a nice shot that snaps Kruglov's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kruglov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Khamaev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Khamaev is working Kruglov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Khamaev landing a few strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khamaev is looking to take a break and control but Kruglov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khamaev working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khamaev tries to score with some ground and pound. Kruglov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kruglov is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Shark Tank Private Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Kruglov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kruglov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kruglov is pressing down on Khamaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Khamaev is holding on for now.

Khamaev looking for submissions off his back.
Kruglov is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khamaev is looking to improve his position.

Khamaev actively working from the bottom here.
Khamaev tries to get to full guard but Kruglov has control of the leg.

Khamaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kruglov decides to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khamaev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kruglov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kruglov bucks up and tries to throw Khamaev off but instead Khamaev has got his back!
You can see the frustration on Kruglov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kruglov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
My spies in 3Band MMA inform me that Khamaev has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Khamaev is looking to control Kruglov but Kruglov is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Kruglov is trying to get back to his feet but Khamaev has full control of the position and if anything, Kruglov has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Khamaev avoiding Kruglov 's attempts to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov is trying to stand back up.
Kruglov is trapped and Khamaev is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Khamaev cracks Kruglov with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Kruglov from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Kruglov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Kruglov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kruglov grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Khamaev throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Kruglov!
Kruglov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chimzat Khamaev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Khamaev dives in and grabs Kruglov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kruglov pushes down on Khamaev's head and hops out.
Khamaev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kruglov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Khamaev clinches with his opponent.

Kruglov breaks the clinch.
Kruglov throws a jab when Khamaev was well out of range.
Khamaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Kruglov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kruglov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Khamaev connects with a body shot that sends Kruglov's belly button to the back.
Kruglov misses with a body kick.

Khamaev forces Kruglov back against the cage and clinches.
Khamaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Kruglov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khamaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Viktor Kruglov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chimzat Khamaev.
Khamaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Kruglov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kruglov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kruglov is trying to break the clinch but Khamaev is controlling him.
Khamaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruglov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Khamaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kruglov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Kruglov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Khamaev has Kruglov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kruglov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Khamaev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kruglov lands with a light punch inside.
Kruglov gets underhooks to prevent Khamaev's takedown attempt.
Kruglov tries to break the clinch but Khamaev is controlling the position.
Khamaev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kruglov is defending well.
Kruglov gets underhooks to prevent Khamaev's takedown attempt.
Kruglov is pressed up against the cage. Khamaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kruglov down to the mat. Kruglov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Khamaev is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kruglov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kruglov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Khamaev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kruglov.
Khamaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kruglov was well out of range. Poor timing from Khamaev.
Chimzat Khamaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khamaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kruglov.
Khamaev wants to clinch up but Kruglov keeps it at a distance.
Khamaev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kruglov.
Kruglov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Khamaev has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Khamaev there as he acknowledges the shot.

Khamaev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Kruglov pushes Khamaev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khamaev gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kruglov counters with a head kick.
Kruglov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice jab there from Kruglov.

Khamaev is rocked!
Kruglov cracks Khamaev with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Viktor Kruglov!
Viktor Kruglov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Chimzat Khamaev spoke after the fight, saying 'I trained so hard for this fight! I’ll be back! Keel everybody! '.