PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslambek Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Kravichenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Cruz
vs
Kravichenko

185 cm
25
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aslambek Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Kravichenko!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kravichenko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kravichenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cruz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Cruz has his foot on Kravichenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kravichenko works his way back into a safe position though.

Kravichenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kravichenko has managed to get both his arms back between Cruz's legs - danger averted.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kravichenko is aware though and is defending well.
Kravichenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Kravichenko landing some decent shots from guard.
Kravichenko throwing strikes but missing.
Kravichenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cruz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kravichenko.
Kravichenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Cruz has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kravichenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kravichenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kravichenko scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kravichenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kravichenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kravichenko landing some decent shots from guard.

Cruz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kravichenko defends it easily.
Kravichenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Cruz is looking for a triangle but Kravichenko pushes his legs off easily.
Cruz is breathing heavily.
Kravichenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kravichenko working some strikes from top position.
Kravichenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kravichenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kravichenko works over Cruz with some ground and pound from guard.
Kravichenko passes Cruz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kravichenko scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kravichenko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kravichenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cruz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kravichenko lands strikes from half guard.
Cruz is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kravichenko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kravichenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cruz's head.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Cruz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kravichenko prevents Cruz from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kravichenko connects with a nice short shot to Cruz's temple.
Kravichenko scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kravichenko working the head and body with strikes.
Kravichenko passes to side control.
Kravichenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cruz some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Cruz tries to improve position but can't.
Kravichenko working the head with strikes.
Kravichenko lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cruz down.
Kravichenko creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kravichenko looks up at the clock and then as Cruz takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kravichenko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Cruz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Cruz prevents Kravichenko from improving his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kravichenko looking for submissions off his back.

Cruz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kravichenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cruz.

Kravichenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cruz pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kravichenko actively working from the bottom here.
Kravichenko is in trouble now - Cruz has advanced to mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kravichenko is wriggling around trying to escape.

Cruz is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Kravichenko is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Kravichenko flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Cruz anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Kravichenko and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Cruz slips an arm under Kravichenko chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Cruz has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Cruz is squeezing on Kravichenko like an anaconda would it's prey. Kravichenko fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Aslambek Cruz!