PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Churchill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruslan Smirnov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jack Churchill's chin.

Smirnov
vs
Churchill

167 cm
34
142 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

173 cm
24
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Fast

Zipp Zapp
Sport Support

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Churchill!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Churchill as Smirnov shoots in.
Churchill throws a right and a left that Smirnov avoids nicely.
Smirnov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice cross by Churchill.
Churchill wants to clinch but Smirnov slips to the side

and Smirnov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smirnov pushes down on Churchill's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Churchill keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Churchill pushes Smirnov off looking to stand but Smirnov dives back in and keeps control.
Churchill felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Smirnov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smirnov trying to mount his opponent but Churchill defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov is working hard here to advance position.

Smirnov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smirnov stalling.
Churchill is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smirnov is looking to advance position but Churchill won't allow it.
Smirnov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Smirnov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Smirnov wants to work for an arm triangle but Churchill is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smirnov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Churchill is looking for a sweep. Smirnov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smirnov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smirnov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smirnov passes the guard and advances to mount!
Smirnov throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smirnov thowing shots but they're missing.
Smirnov looking to finish Churchill with some ground and pound. This is bad for Churchill!
Smirnov landing strikes from the mount and Churchill is in trouble!

Churchill is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Smirnov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Churchill is surviving well by controlling Smirnov's body position as best he can.
Churchill is still in real trouble! Can Smirnov finish him?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Churchill can't escape the position.

Smirnov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Churchill to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Churchill shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Smirnov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smirnov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Churchill swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Churchill seems to have recovered his senses.
Smirnov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Churchill lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Churchill changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smirnov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Smirnov tries to close the distance and clinch but Churchill swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Churchill moves into range and connects with a jab.
Churchill scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Churchill lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Churchill lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smirnov doesn't seem phased though.
Churchill feints and then cracks Smirnov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnov down.
Smirnov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smirnov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Churchill pinned against the cage. Churchill gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Smirnov scores with a takedown into Churchill's guard.
Smirnov trying to control the position from guard on top but Churchill is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Smirnov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Churchill manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Churchill won't allow Smirnov to sweep him here.
Churchill really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smirnov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smirnov trying to control the position.

Smirnov is looking to cinch up a triangle. Churchill throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Smirnov's body to avoid the submission. Smirnov has instead reached around Churchill's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Smirnov arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Ruslan Smirnov!
After the fight, Ruslan Smirnov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.