PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Nikolaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rex Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Vladimir Nikolaev has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Vladimir Nikolaev seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Nikolaev
vs
Crawford

179 cm
24
190 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Nikolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rex Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nikolaev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Nikolaev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Crawford has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nikolaev has managed to get both his arms back between Crawford's legs - danger averted.

Nikolaev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've been hearing reports that Nikolaev has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Nikolaev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nikolaev lands in his opponent's guard.

Crawford working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nikolaev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nikolaev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nikolaev pushing down on Crawford's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Nikolaev is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Crawford is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vladimir Nikolaev!