PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ronuel Natividad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alek Khabilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Natividad
vs
Khabilov

180 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
23
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ronuel Natividad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alek Khabilov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khabilov tries to keep at a distance but Natividad has taken the fight into the clinch.
Natividad blocks an elbow strike from Khabilov.
Natividad is pressed up against the cage. Khabilov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Natividad down to the mat. Natividad avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Khabilov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Khabilov showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Natividad is refusing to be controlled, as Khabilov sits in half guard.

Khabilov 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.
Khabilov is thwarting Natividad's attempts to control the position.
Khabilov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natividad tries to hold on but Khabilov pushes him away.

Khabilov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Khabilov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Natividad looks a forlorn figure.
Khabilov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Natividad sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Khabilov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Khabilov 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Natividad is looking to control Khabilov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Natividad avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Khabilov is looking for a kimura but Natividad is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Khabilov to get the leverage.

Khabilov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Natividad is just riding it out for now. Khabilov eventually gives up the hold.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Khabilov lands a nice short elbow.
Natividad is in trouble now - Khabilov has advanced to mount!
Natividad is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov lands a nice shot to the head.
Natividad knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Khabilov on the ground.
Natividad is looking to get to half guard.
Khabilov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Khabilov looking to finish Natividad with some ground and pound. This is bad for Natividad!
Khabilov dominating with strikes here.

Natividad is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khabilov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Oh Natividad is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Whack. That's a big, big shot from Khabilov! Natividad is out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Alek Khabilov!