PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wiremu Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kitano Ajinomoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ajinomoto has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Kitano Ajinomoto is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Russell
vs
Ajinomoto

175 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wiremu Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kitano Ajinomoto!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ajinomoto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ajinomoto wants to clinch up but Russell keeps it at a distance.
Ajinomoto looks gassed!

Russell closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Russell lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell slips nicely into half guard.
Ground and pound from Russell.

Russell is trying to work for a kimura but Ajinomoto is defending well.
Russell landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Russell lands a nice short elbow.
Ajinomoto has hold of Russell's hands but Russell slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Russell lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Russell is looking for a kimura here.

Russell seems to be working for a kimura but Ajinomoto defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ajinomoto doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russell.
Nice strikes from Russell there.
Russell missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Russell seems to be looking for submissions.
Ajinomoto makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ajinomoto.

Ajinomoto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Russell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Ajinomoto is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell slips nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Russell there.
Ajinomoto is in trouble now - Russell has advanced to mount!
Russell prevents Ajinomoto from getting the reversal.
Ajinomoto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Russell has control of Ajinomoto's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ajinomoto regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Russell looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Russell landing strikes from the mount.
Russell with a couple of short strikes.
Russell breaks from Ajinomoto's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajinomoto is looking to improve his position but Russell isn't that keen on the idea.
Russell 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.
Russell lands a big shot there that rocks Ajinomoto but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ajinomoto has given up his back here. Will Russell look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Russell looking to break Ajinomoto's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Ajinomoto remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Russell will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Russell softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Russell scores with punches from the back.

Ajinomoto is rocked!
Ajinomoto tries to break free.
Ajinomoto is still in real trouble! Can Russell finish him?
Russell lands a shot to the head.
Russell is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Ajinomoto up.

Russell is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Ajinomoto is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wiremu Russell!