PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Timur Rudov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Soloman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rudov
vs
Soloman

196 cm
26
216 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
205 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timur Rudov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Soloman!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Soloman shoots in and gets a takedown into Rudov's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Rudov is looking for a triangle but Soloman pushes his legs off easily.
Soloman stopping the sweep attempt from Rudov.
Rudov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Rudov striking off his back but it's not causing Soloman any problems.

Rudov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Soloman off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Rudov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Soloman clinches up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rudov jumps guard.
Soloman tries to free his leg and advance position but Rudov is retaining full guard.
Rudov keeping moving, preventing Soloman from controlling successfully.
Soloman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Soloman trying to control the position from guard on top but Rudov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rudov is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rudov 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.
Soloman wants to get back to his feet but Rudov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rudov throwing strikes from guard but Soloman blocks nicely.
Soloman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rudov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Soloman's head.
Rudov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rudov throws a big right hand that misses.
Soloman wants to get back to his feet but Rudov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rudov throwing strikes but missing.
Soloman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rudov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rudov looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Soloman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rudov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rudov drops back looking for a leg! Soloman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Soloman manages to kick Rudov off! Rudov jumps back into Soloman's guard.
Rudov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Soloman wants to get back to his feet but Rudov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Soloman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rudov landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soloman is wriggling around but Rudov manages to pass to half guard.
Rudov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Soloman's head.
Rudov is pressing down on Soloman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Soloman is holding on for now.
Rudov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rudov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rudov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rudov thows a huge punch but Soloman dodges it nicely.

Rudov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Soloman on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soloman trying to control from the bottom.
Rudov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Soloman!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rudov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Soloman can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

It looks like James Soloman has been cut.
Soloman in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
You get the feeling that Soloman really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rudov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That has opened up James Soloman's cut even more.
Rudov with the ground and pound from mount.

The cut above James Soloman's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rudov with a couple of short strikes.

James Soloman's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Timur Rudov!
An out of breath Timur Rudov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.