PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kalizhnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denis Severnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kalizhnikov
vs
Severnov

175 cm
19
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Kalizhnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Severnov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalizhnikov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Severnov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kalizhnikov wants to get back to his feet but Severnov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Severnov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Severnov throwing strikes but missing.
Kalizhnikov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Severnov on the ground.
Kalizhnikov keeping moving, preventing Severnov from controlling successfully.

Kalizhnikov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Severnov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kalizhnikov.

Severnov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Igor Kalizhnikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Severnov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kalizhnikov.
Severnov tries to clinch but Kalizhnikov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Severnov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kalizhnikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kalizhnikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Severnov.
Kalizhnikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Severnov.
Kalizhnikov connects with a crisp jab.
Kalizhnikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Severnov.
Kalizhnikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kalizhnikov misses with the combination.
Kalizhnikov misses with a wild combination.
Kalizhnikov misses with a body kick.
Sloppy strikes from Severnov. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalizhnikov shoots in for a takedown but Severnov shows good takedown defense.
Kalizhnikov is breathing heavily.
Severnov keeps the fight on the outside.

Severnov rushes Kalizhnikov and presses him up against the cage.

Severnov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Severnov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kalizhnikov is fending him off so far but Severnov persists. Nope, Kalizhnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
A left and a right from Severnov both land. Nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalizhnikov misses with a two punch combination.

Severnov feints and as Kalizhnikov raises his hands in defense, Severnov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Severnov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Severnov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Severnov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kalizhnikov's head.
Kalizhnikov punching from the bottom - just letting Severnov know he's still in a fight.
Severnov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Severnov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Severnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Severnov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Severnov prevents Kalizhnikov from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Severnov moves into full mount!
Severnov lands a heavy elbow.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kalizhnikov really wants to buck Severnov off and get back to his feet.

Severnov working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Kalizhnikov looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Severnov! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Denis Severnov!