PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Christian Luther (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luther comes to the cage accompanied by Saxon - Crusader. Avon Barksdale is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Luther
vs
Barksdale

185 cm
22
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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, Christian Luther!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Avon Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barksdale shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Barksdale showed some decent athleticism there.

Luther actively working from the bottom here.
Barksdale prevents Luther from improving his position.
Barksdale really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Luther. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Barksdale missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Luther gets back to full guard.

Luther is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Luther throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Barksdale working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Luther's head.
Barksdale trying to control but Luther is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale wants to stand but Luther is controlling his posture from full guard.

Luther working for a triangle but Barksdale defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barksdale's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barksdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Luther is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barksdale would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Luther had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Barksdale is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Luther Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Barksdale's back instead.

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.

Luther looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Barksdale is controlling Luther 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Luther is breathing heavily.
Luther has his hands on Barksdale's head, controlling the position.
Luther trying to keep a closed guard but Barksdale is proving a slippery customer.

Luther working for a triangle but Barksdale defends it easily.

Barksdale gets to his feet - Luther follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Luther wants to control but Barksdale is keeping busy.

Barksdale decides to stand up.
Barksdale throws a push kick but Luther slaps the foot to one side.
Barksdale's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Barksdale duly obliges.

Luther is rocked!

It looks like Christian Luther has been cut.
Barksdale lands a slapping body shot.
Oh Luther is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Avon Barksdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale misses with a takedown attempt - Luther sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Luther rushes Barksdale and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Luther has hold of one of Barksdale's legs. Barksdale is fighting the takedown attempt but Luther gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Luther seems to have got his legs back now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Luther is pushing down on Barksdale's leg trying to pass to half guard. Barksdale is fighting to maintain full guard but Luther has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luther passes to side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Luther advances to mount.
Luther trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Luther has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Barksdale is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Christian Luther!