PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristan Maruyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolai Zhurmedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhurmedov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Chief Keef & Fat Trel - Russian Roulette. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Maruyama
vs
Zhurmedov

191 cm
22
218 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

195 cm
23
220 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 London, Kristan Maruyama!
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, Nicolai Zhurmedov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maruyama buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Maruyama scores with a spinning back kick!

Maruyama shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zhurmedov is trying to defend but Maruyama finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Zhurmedov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zhurmedov.
Zhurmedov wants to sweep but no luck.
Maruyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhurmedov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maruyama preventing the sweep.
Maruyama wants to control from the top but Zhurmedov keeps moving.
Maruyama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zhurmedov working a defensive guard here.
Maruyama passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maruyama moves nicely into side control.
Maruyama trying to control the position but Zhurmedov is working away.

Maruyama is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zhurmedov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zhurmedov tries to escape but Maruyama is in control.
Maruyama trying to control the action but Zhurmedov is working from the bottom.
Maruyama controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhurmedov is looking for a sweep.
Zhurmedov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Maruyama controlling the pace for now.

Maruyama is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Zhurmedov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Zhurmedov shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhurmedov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Maruyama.
Maruyama avoids the attempt from Zhurmedov to control.
Maruyama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zhurmedov is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama controlling from mount.
Maruyama tries to control but Zhurmedov wriggling away.

Maruyama is working for a guillotine from mount but Zhurmedov frees his head quite easily.

Maruyama goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Zhurmedov turns into him and now he's in Maruyama's guard.

Maruyama working for a triangle but Zhurmedov defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zhurmedov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Maruyama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Maruyama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Maruyama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zhurmedov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maruyama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zhurmedov manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zhurmedov pushes Maruyama off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristan Maruyama dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maruyama plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zhurmedov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maruyama.
Kristan Maruyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Maruyama shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Maruyama is working for a kimura but Zhurmedov is defending it quite comfortably.

Maruyama wants to work for an arm triangle but Zhurmedov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Maruyama uses his free foot to push down on Zhurmedov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zhurmedov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maruyama looking to control but Zhurmedov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zhurmedov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Maruyama wants to control the pace but Zhurmedov is squirming around nicely.

Zhurmedov wants to get back to his feet but in bucking up he's left an arm hanging out! Maruyama has locked onto it and has pulled off a slick armbar! Zhurmedov taps furiously! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kristan Maruyama!