PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Esteban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Krukov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Krukov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Switchfoot-Awakening kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Esteban
vs
Krukov

196 cm
21
280 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

196 cm
19
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite 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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emilio Esteban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikita Krukov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esteban moves in looking to clinch but Krukov pushes him off.
Esteban keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Esteban has closed the distance and engaged Krukov in a clinch.

Esteban lands a takedown into guard.
Krukov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Esteban forces his way into half guard.
Esteban prevents Krukov from improving his position.
Esteban not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Krukov tries to get to full guard but Esteban has control of the leg.
Esteban sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Krukov defending well though.
Krukov trying to control from the bottom.
Esteban not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esteban with the ground and pound but Krukov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Esteban working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Esteban scoring with punches to the head and body.
Esteban tries to free his leg and advance position but Krukov is retaining full guard.
Esteban has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Esteban missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Krukov trying to strike off his back.
Esteban postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esteban postures up in Krukov's guard and throws a big left but Krukov blocks it.
Esteban pushes down on Krukov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Esteban works his way into full mount!
Krukov wants to hold on but Esteban pushes him away.
Esteban working Krukov over with strikes here.

It looks like Nikita Krukov has been cut.
Krukov looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee warns Krukov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Esteban postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Krukov looks a forlorn figure.

That has opened up Nikita Krukov's cut even more.
Esteban lands a big shot there that rocks Krukov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Krukov is rocked!

The cut above Nikita Krukov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Nikita Krukov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Emilio Esteban!