PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rousimar Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivo Petric (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rousimar Palhares could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ivo Petric's chin.

Palhares
vs
Petric

173 cm
26
185 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

200 cm
30
192 lbs
4 - 13 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rousimar Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivo Petric!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petric leaves Palhares with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Petric tries to sprawl but Palhares drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Palhares moves into full mount! Petric won't be happy about that!
Petric really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Palhares. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Palhares working for a guillotine from mount but Petric is in no mood to give up.
Petric is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petric slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Petric is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares passes into side control, despite Petric's attempt to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petric is looking to regain half guard here but Palhares keeps moving and retains side control.

Palhares wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Petric, who protects the arm well.
Petric tries to improve position but can't.

Palhares is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Petric is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Palhares working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Palhares working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palhares is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Petric has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Palhares looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Palhares is trying to get an arm triangle but Petric is defending well.
Petric tries to bench press Palhares off him but Palhares keeps the position.

Palhares is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Petric is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Petric is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petric pushes Palhares off looking to stand but Palhares dives back in and keeps control.
Petric trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Palhares can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Petric is looking to escape.
Palhares thowing shots but they're missing.
Petric tries to hold on but Palhares pushes him away.
Palhares misses with a head shot.
Petric is in all sorts of trouble here.
Palhares scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Petric is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Petric tries to buck Palhares off but Palhares takes his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares misses with punches from the back.
Palhares is hanging on to Petric's back as he tries to escape.

Palhares is cranking Petric's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Petric! He's tightened the choke and Petric is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rousimar Palhares!