PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Floyd Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stark has chosen Ghostface Killah - The Champ as his entrance music. Ruslan Smirnov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Smirnov
vs
Stark

167 cm
27
142 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

158 cm
20
144 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Floyd Stark!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Stark missing with a left hand there. Smirnov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smirnov throws a poor cross that misses
letting Stark counter with a right hand.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Smirnov looks to throw the jab but Stark is out of range.
Ruslan Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stark looks to score with a jab to the body but Smirnov is just out of range.
Smirnov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stark manages to avoid it.
Stark slaps away a takedown attempt from Smirnov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smirnov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stark.
Stark ducks under a wild hook from Smirnov.
Stark throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circling - Smirnov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stark defending well as Smirnov loads up on a big left hand.
An inside leg kick lands from Smirnov.
A big left from Smirnov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stark swings for the body but Smirnov moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stark. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stark misses with a body shot.
Stark misses with a looping left.
Stark cracks a nice hook into Smirnov's ribs.

Smirnov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Stark to the ground. Smirnov is now in Stark's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Smirnov advances to half guard.
Stark blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smirnov.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stark manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.
Smirnov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov tries to free his leg and advance position but Stark is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov wants to control from the top but Stark keeps moving.

Ruslan Smirnov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smirnov throws a lazy right hand but Stark sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown but Stark shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smirnov moves away.
Floyd Stark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Smirnov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Smirnov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Smirnov landing punches.
Smirnov landing punches.
Smirnov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Smirnov trying to control but Stark is having none of it.
Smirnov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Stark is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Stark flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Smirnov anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Stark and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Smirnov slips an arm under Stark chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Smirnov has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Smirnov is squeezing on Stark like an anaconda would it's prey. Stark fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ruslan Smirnov!
In his post fight interview, Ruslan Smirnov started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.