PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Stalit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gosha Zeleev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stalit
vs
Zeleev

180 cm
22
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Stalit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gosha Zeleev!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zeleev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stalit tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zeleev is in Stalit's guard.
Zeleev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zeleev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zeleev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zeleev preventing the sweep.
Zeleev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zeleev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stalit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zeleev postures up and lands a big shot to Stalit's brow.
Zeleev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Stalit has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zeleev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zeleev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Stalit's head.

Zeleev drops back looking for a leg! Stalit is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stalit manages to kick Zeleev off! Zeleev jumps back into Stalit's guard.
Zeleev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zeleev stands up over Stalit, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Zeleev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zeleev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Zeleev postures up and lands a big shot to Stalit's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zeleev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Stalit looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Stalit looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Stalit!
Zeleev defending against the ground and pound.
Zeleev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Stalit off and has taken his back!
Zeleev is working the ground and pound. Can Stalit escape?
Zeleev is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Zeleev gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Zeleev gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Zeleev apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Stalit throws a sloppy head kick and Zeleev moves out of range easily.
Zeleev shoots in looking for a takedown. Stalit tries to sprawl out of it but Zeleev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stalit manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Stalit goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Stalit misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Stalit lands but Zeleev takes it in his stride.

Zeleev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stalit sprawls well initially but Zeleev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Stalit looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stalit is breathing heavily.
Zeleev working the head and body with strikes.

Zeleev wants to work for an arm triangle but Stalit is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Stalit looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Zeleev seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

Stalit actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeleev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Zeleev is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Stalit is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gosha Zeleev!
Gosha Zeleev is the new lightweight champion!