PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aleksei Kruschev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Rahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kruschev's entrance music is Shout at the Devil by Motley Crue. A fine choice. Aleksei Kruschev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kruschev
vs
Rahl

170 cm
19
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
161 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksei Kruschev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richard Rahl!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rahl scores a takedown into full mount!
You get the feeling that Kruschev really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rahl fails to take his opponent's back.
Kruschev is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Rahl is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Rahl connects with a body shot.
Kruschev has his takedown stuffed
and Rahl counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kruschev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kruschev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rahl makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kruschev tries to clinch up
and Rahl counters with a three punch combo that has Kruschev backing up. Kruschev nods at Rahl to acknowledge the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kruschev wants to clinch but Rahl slips to the side
and Rahl makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kruschev misses with a takedown
enabling Rahl to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksei Kruschev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahl throws a series of punches but Kruschev avoids them all with ease.
Rahl misses with a wild body shot.
Kruschev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rahl cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kruschev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rahl is fending him off so far but Kruschev persists. Nope, Rahl circles away and we're back to standing.
Kruschev is breathing heavily.
Rahl throws a jab when Kruschev was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rahl closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Rahl wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kruschev, who protects the arm well.
Rahl prevents Kruschev from escaping the position.
Rahl tries to advance to mount but can't.
Rahl trying to control the position but Kruschev is working away.

Rahl decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kruschev to his feet.
Kruschev misses with a takedown attempt
and Rahl counters with a right hand to the body.
Rahl has his takedown stuffed

and Kruschev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kruschev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Rahl.
Kruschev throws a punch but it's blocked by Rahl.

Rahl has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kruschev uses from the top position.

Rahl working for a triangle but Kruschev defends it easily.
Kruschev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rahl's guard.

Rahl is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Rahl stalls.
Kruschev scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Rahl breaks the clinch.
Rahl is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kruschev rather than just go for the knockout.
Rahl cracks Kruschev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rahl closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kruschev to the mat! Kruschev manages to get full guard.

Rahl thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rahl pushes down on Kruschev's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Rahl wants to work for an arm triangle but Kruschev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rahl looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rahl is tying to control. Kruschev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rahl is trying for a kimura here. Kruschev looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Rahl wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Richard Rahl!