PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Volk Khan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rosen Strasser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Khan
vs
Strasser

174 cm
36
145 lbs
26 - 10 - 0

192 cm
24
159 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Volk Khan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rosen Strasser!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strasser as he jumps to the side.
Khan shoots in and drives through. Strasser sprawls well.
Volk Khan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Strasser defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volk Khan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khan shoots in for a takedown but Strasser shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice cross by Strasser.
Strasser lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khan circles away quickly and effectively.
Khan misses with a jab to the body
and Strasser counters with a one-two to the body.
Khan slips under a jab.
Strasser throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Strasser is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Strasser looks to score with a jab to the body but Khan is just out of range.
Khan misses with a looping right.
Strasser lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Khan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Strasser pinned against the cage. Strasser gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Khan shoots in but no luck this time.
Khan dives in for a single leg takedown but Strasser sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Strasser successfully pulls guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Khan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Khan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khan trying to control but Strasser is working from the bottom.
Khan stands and throws Strasser's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Khan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Strasser knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Khan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strasser, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Strasser has escaped the position, nice work there.

Khan tries for a kimura but Strasser is defending well.

Khan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Khan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Khan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strasser, who protects the arm well.

Khan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strasser struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rosen Strasser will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Strasser fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khan manages to avoid it.
Strasser throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Strasser misses with a looping right.
Horrible takedown by Khan or perhaps it was just good defense by Strasser which made him look bad.
Khan lands a head shot.
Khan throws a hook to the side of Strasser's head but Strasser sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khan shoots in and drives through. Strasser sprawls well.
Strasser with a hook.
Strasser connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Khan momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Strasser sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volk Khan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Khan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Khan trying to control the position but Strasser is working away.
Khan tries to advance to mount but can't.

Khan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Khan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan wants to control but Strasser is keeping him busy.

Khan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Strasser is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Khan goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Strasser has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Khan but great work by Strasser.
Khan is looking to regain half guard here but Strasser keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strasser happy to just control the position for now.
Khan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Strasser trying to control the position but Khan is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Strasser off and has taken his back!
Khan controlling well, preventing Strasser from escaping the position.

Khan looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Strasser is controlling Khan 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Khan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strasser manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strasser is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Khan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Strasser manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Khan has Strasser in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Khan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Volk Khan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Khan shoots in looking for a takedown but Strasser manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Khan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Strasser misses the shot to the body.
Khan shoots in for a takedown but Strasser shows good takedown defense.
Khan slips a straight right by Strasser.
Khan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Strasser defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Volk Khan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strasser ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
Strasser misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Khan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strasser defends well and Khan ends up having to push Strasser into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strasser has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Khan is trying to keep an underhook but Strasser manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Well, if Strasser is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Strasser is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Khan wants to improve his position but Strasser is controlling well.

Khan actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strasser sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Khan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Khan.

Strasser got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Strasser has managed to get both his arms back between Khan's legs - danger averted.
Strasser must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Strasser slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Khan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khan wants to control the position but Strasser says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Khan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Khan looking for subs off his back but Strasser has passed one foot through into half guard.
Strasser wants to pass the guard but Khan is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strasser wants to stand up but Khan has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Strasser escapes and gets back to his feet.
Khan misses with a takedown attempt - Strasser sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Strasser throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strasser thows a body shot but no joy.
Khan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Khan with a poor takedown
and Strasser counters with a series of strikes. Khan will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rosen Strasser comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Strasser has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rosen Strasser!