PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Sotnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Egor Russian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sotnikov
vs
Russian

190 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Sotnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Russian!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Sotnikov. Those never looked like landing.
Sotnikov misses with a right hand

and Russian counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sotnikov is pressed up against the cage. Russian has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sotnikov down to the mat. Sotnikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sotnikov closes the distance looking to clinch

and Russian counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Russian stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
No joy there for Sotnikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sotnikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Russian counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sotnikov won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sotnikov pushes Russian away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Russian gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Russian has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sotnikov moves to clinch but Russian breaks away

and Russian moves into the clinch.
Russian tries to pull guard but Sotnikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Russian drops back down to his feet.
Sotnikov stops a takedown attempt from Russian.
Nikolai Sotnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Egor Russian.
Sotnikov gets underhooks to prevent Russian's takedown attempt.
Russian goes for a takedown attempt but Sotnikov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Russian fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Russian looks gassed!
Sotnikov throws a series of punches but Russian moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sotnikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sotnikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Russian, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Sotnikov lands a left and a right that sends Russian crashing to the canvas! Sotnikov dives into mount looking to finish!

It looks like Egor Russian has been cut.
Russian swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Sotnikov manages to capitalize on a mistake by Russian to take his back!
Russian trying to get back to his feet but Sotnikov is in full control for now.

Sotnikov has Russian's back but decides to stand back up... Obviously he fancies his chances in the standup department!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotnikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sotnikov works the jab nicely.
A big right followed by a crushing left from Sotnikov knocks Russian out cold! Ouch - that one's going to be featured in highlight reels for years to come!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Nikolai Sotnikov!