PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mario Betoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Krushev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betoli comes into the arena with Mario theme blaring out of the sound system. Krushev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Forever Lost kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Betoli
vs
Krushev

195 cm
33
282 lbs
36 - 14 - 0

210 cm
22
280 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Wolfpack Threadz

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 36 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Betoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikita Krushev!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krushev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A bone on bone clash there as Betoli blocks the leg kick.
Betoli takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A looping hook to the body misses from Betoli. Krushev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Betoli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Krushev throws out a loose jab but Betoli uses good head movement to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Betoli misses the target.
Nikita Krushev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Betoli lands with a good body shot.
Krushev looks to land a combination but Betoli avoids it well.
Betoli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krushev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Betoli circles away quickly and effectively.

Betoli shoots in and gets a takedown into Krushev's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Betoli passes Krushev's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Krushev makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krushev throws a right and a left that Betoli avoids nicely.
A shot to the liver by Betoli. Beautiful body shot.
Betoli tries to score a power double leg takedown but Krushev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Betoli somewhat.
Krushev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Betoli throws a jab but it's blocked by Krushev.
Krushev misses with the combination.

Betoli gets a takedown into half guard.
Krushev is not content to let Betoli control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Betoli is trying to work for a kimura but Krushev is defending well.

Betoli is working for a submission of some sort.
Betoli is looking to stall here but Krushev recovers full guard.

Betoli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betoli wants to control from the top but Krushev keeps moving.
Betoli controls from within his opponent's guard.
Betoli seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Krushev for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betoli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Krushev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mario Betoli has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Krushev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Betoli.
Betoli lands a really nice looking cross but Krushev seems unphased.
Krushev misses with a few strikes there.
Krushev throws a right and a left that both miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betoli dodges the punch combination from Krushev.
A punch combination from Krushev misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Betoli dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Betoli misses with a straight left.

Betoli feints and as Krushev raises his hands in defense, Betoli changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Betoli postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Betoli in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krushev keeping full guard, as Betoli tries to pass.
Krushev keeping moving, preventing Betoli from controlling successfully.
Krushev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Betoli working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Betoli passes into half guard.
Betoli not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Betoli is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Betoli is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Betoli wants to pass the guard but Krushev is defending well.
Betoli trying to control the action but Krushev is working from the bottom.
Betoli passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Krushev!

Betoli swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Krushev is now in Betoli's guard. A big mistake from Betoli there, giving up the dominant position!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is controlling Krushev's posture.

Krushev is posturing up here but Betoli has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Krushev tries to roll out but it's too tight and Krushev has to tap! Slick submission there by Betoli!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mario Betoli!