PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Drake Tillman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Kostroff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Tillman
vs
Kostroff

177 cm
20
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

aKua

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Drake Tillman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Kostroff!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kostroff finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Tillman scores with a takedown into Kostroff's guard.
Tillman trying to control the position from guard on top but Kostroff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tillman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kostroff wants to get back to his feet but Tillman passes into half guard.
Kostroff is not content to let Tillman control the position.
Tillman works his way into side control.
Kostroff prevents Tillman from improving position.
Tillman prevents Kostroff from escaping the position.

Tillman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tillman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Tillman decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tillman is looking to clinch but Kostroff is avoiding it.
Alex Kostroff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kostroff throws a sloppy head kick and Tillman moves out of range easily.
Kostroff throws a series of punches but Tillman moves out of range.
A combination from Kostroff does no damage.
Kostroff swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Tillman looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kostroff!
Kostroff looks gassed!
Tillman punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tillman landing strikes, looking to finish!

Tillman is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kostroff is surviving well by controlling Tillman's body position as best he can.
Kostroff is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tillman dominating with strikes here.
Tillman in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Tillman with the ground and pound from mount.
Tillman working the ground and pound effectively.

Tillman looking to secure an arm triangle but Kostroff defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tillman working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Tillman with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kostroff is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Tillman has taken his back.
Tillman keeps control of the position easily here as Kostroff tries to buck him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tillman tightening his grip on Kostroff, looking for the choke.

Tillman tightening his grip on Kostroff, looking for the choke.
Tillman scores with punches and elbows.
Tillman slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Tillman lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Tillman.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kostroff defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostroff is trying to get back to his feet but Tillman has full control of the position and if anything, Kostroff has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Tillman sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Kostroff taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Drake Tillman!