PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matteo Chibaclov (ranked 2624 p4p, 3439 weight class) and Varban Botev (ranked 300 p4p, 376 weight class). The key to victory for Matteo Chibaclov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Chibaclov
vs
Botev

187 cm
29
195
11 - 5 - 0

187 cm
28
194
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matteo Chibaclov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Varban Botev!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Chibaclov scores with a four punch combination!
We've been hearing reports that Chibaclov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Botev throws a lazy uppercut
and Chibaclov counters with a straight right hand.
Chibaclov lands with an uppercut that bounces Botev off the cage and back into range.
Sloppy strikes from Botev. Those never looked like landing.

Chibaclov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Chibaclov wants to take a breather but Botev is having none of it.
Chibaclov working over Botev with some ground and pound. Botev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chibaclov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Botev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Botev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chibaclov.

Chibaclov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chibaclov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chibaclov stays in close to Botev's body and controls the position.
Botev throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Chibaclov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Botev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Botev is on top in guard.

Botev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Chibaclov's head.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Botev working his ground and pound in the gym.
Chibaclov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Botev gets back to full guard.
Chibaclov passes Botev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Botev wants to get back to full guard.
Botev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Botev has hold of Chibaclov's hands but Chibaclov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Botev tries to roll over but Chibaclov keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chibaclov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Botev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Chibaclov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Botev doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Chibaclov.
Chibaclov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Botev trying to control but Chibaclov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chibaclov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Chibaclov is looking for a kimura but Botev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Chibaclov to get the leverage.
Chibaclov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chibaclov stalling away here and it's allowed Botev to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Chibaclov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chibaclov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Chibaclov is pushing down on Botev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Botev is fighting to maintain full guard but Chibaclov has managed to sneak the leg through.

Chibaclov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Botev is just riding it out for now. Chibaclov eventually gives up the hold.
Botev is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chibaclov is keen to just control but Botev is a slippery customer.

Chibaclov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Chibaclov is working for a submission of some sort.
Botev is staying active underneath Chibaclov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chibaclov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters circling - Botev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Botev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Chibaclov's half guard.
Chibaclov taking some punishment here, with Botev in his half guard.
Chibaclov wants to get back to his feet.
Chibaclov is trying to get back to full guard.
Chibaclov manages to get to full guard.
Botev controls from within his opponent's guard.

Chibaclov is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Botev rolls with it to try and escape but Chibaclov cranks on the arm and Botev is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matteo Chibaclov!
A victorious Matteo Chibaclov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.