PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Durden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Romanenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Durden
vs
Romanenko

190 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyler Durden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ruslan Romanenko!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durden dodges the punch combination from Romanenko.

Durden shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Durden trying to stand up but can't free himself from Romanenko's guard.
Durden stays in close to Romanenko's body and controls the position.
Durden slips nicely into half guard.
Romanenko is looking for a sweep. Durden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Romanenko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Durden is working away from the top position though.
Durden is looking to advance position but Romanenko won't allow it.
Durden not doing much here.
Romanenko is looking to control Durden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Romanenko avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Durden seems content to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tyler Durden.
Romanenko misses with a low kick.
Romanenko misses with an uppercut

and Durden counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Durden controlling the action here.
Romanenko wants to improve his position but Durden is controlling well.
Romanenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Durden takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tyler Durden just wasn't active enough.
Romanenko fails with the takedown

and Durden counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Romanenko looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durden sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Romanenko wants to get back to full guard.
Durden slows the pace down in half guard.
Durden is looking to advance position but Romanenko won't allow it.
Durden perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tyler Durden wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Durden shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Romanenko napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Durden stands up.
Durden steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romanenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Durden scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Durden is keen to just control but Romanenko is a slippery customer.
Romanenko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Durden trying to control the position from guard on top but Romanenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durden preventing the sweep.
Durden trying to control the position from guard on top but Romanenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durden has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Durden would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tyler Durden.

Durden drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durden wants to control but Romanenko is keeping him busy.
Durden throwing strikes but Romanenko manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Durden tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Romanenko easily slips into full mount!
Durden on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Durden tries to get out of the position.
Durden tries to improve his position but instead Romanenko has taken his back!
Romanenko is not going to allow Durden to sit and survive in this position.
Durden is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Romanenko is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
You can see the frustration on Durden's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Durden wants to get back to his feet.
Romanenko has the hooks in. Durden is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Durden dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Durden tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Romanenko fails with the takedown

and Durden counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Durden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romanenko is keeping the position for now.
Durden trying to control but Romanenko is working from the bottom.
Durden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Romanenko is keeping the position for now.
Durden trying to stand up but can't free himself from Romanenko's guard.
Romanenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Romanenko pushes a forearm under Durden's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Durden is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ruslan Romanenko!