PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Helwani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Abdulkerimov
vs
Helwani

188 cm
24
250 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

189 cm
21
240 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Abdulkerimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leon Helwani!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch up.
Abdulkerimov tries for a takedown but Helwani sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Helwani keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Helwani tries to clinch but Abdulkerimov moves out of range.

Abdulkerimov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Abdulkerimov is fighting to break Helwani's control of his arms but Helwani is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Helwani controls Abdulkerimov momentarily but Abdulkerimov frees himself.

Abdulkerimov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Helwani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Helwani looking to control.
Abdulkerimov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov looking to sit in guard and control but Helwani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Helwani prevents Abdulkerimov from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Helwani trying to control but Abdulkerimov is working from the bottom.
Helwani engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Leon Helwani wasn't active enough on the ground.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Abdulkerimov is defended easily by Helwani.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramazan Abdulkerimov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Helwani was covering up waiting for the punch and Abdulkerimov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Abdulkerimov is breathing heavily.
Abdulkerimov distracts Helwani with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Helwani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Helwani is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Helwani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abdulkerimov trying to control but Helwani is working from the bottom.
Helwani is pulling down on Abdulkerimov's head. It's preventing any offense from Abdulkerimov, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov won't allow Helwani to sweep him here.
Abdulkerimov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Helwani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Leon Helwani has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Helwani stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Helwani wants it to stay on the feet.
Helwani bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Abdulkerimov's head backwards.
Abdulkerimov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Abdulkerimov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Helwani lands a really nice looking cross but Abdulkerimov seems unphased.

Abdulkerimov is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helwani connects with a right that clearly hurt Abdulkerimov. He's backed up against the cage with nowhere to go as Helwani proceeds to tee off with vicious combinations till Abdulkerimov collapses and taps out under the pressure!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Leon Helwani!