PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocherre Velassco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakhmanov comes to the cage accompanied by Russian national anthem. Mikhail Rakhmanov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rakhmanov
vs
Velassco

179 cm
27
189 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

178 cm
26
188 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rocherre Velassco!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velassco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Velassco lands with an uppercut that bounces Rakhmanov off the cage and back into range.
A bone on bone clash there as Velassco blocks the leg kick.
Velassco misses with a low kick.
Rakhmanov misses with a few strikes there.
Rakhmanov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Velassco slips a straight right by Rakhmanov.
Velassco misses with a low kick.
Velassco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Velassco throws a head kick that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Velassco has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velassco. Rakhmanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rakhmanov sizes up Velassco with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
That kick from Velassco tenderised Rakhmanov's leg. Rakhmanov is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velassco throws a head kick but Rakhmanov moves out of range.
A low kick from Velassco is predictable there

and Rakhmanov counters with a takedown into side control.
Velassco managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rakhmanov.
Velassco is looking for a sweep.

Rakhmanov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Velassco is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rakhmanov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Rakhmanov working the strikes but Velassco uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Rakhmanov slips a nice elbow through Velassco's hands, connecting with Velassco's forehead.
Rakhmanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rakhmanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Velassco's head.
Rakhmanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Velassco does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velassco wants to get back to full guard.
Rakhmanov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Velassco defending well though.
Rakhmanov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Velassco wants to improve his position but Rakhmanov is controlling well.
Rakhmanov throwing shots but Velassco is blocking nicely.
Rakhmanov uses his free foot to push down on Velassco's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Velassco.
Rakhmanov lands a big elbow.
Rakhmanov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rakhmanov wants to control the pace but Velassco is squirming around nicely.
Rakhmanov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velassco in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Rakhmanov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Velassco's face.
Rakhmanov lands a heavy elbow.

Velassco is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velassco is working to get back to half guard.
Rakhmanov lands a nice shot to the head.
Rakhmanov lands a couple of good shots and Velassco has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Rakhmanov throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Rakhmanov scores with punches to the body.
Velassco is still in real trouble! Can Rakhmanov finish him?
Rakhmanov softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Rakhmanov is loading up with his shots from the back and Velassco is in big trouble! Velassco taps out to strikes and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Mikhail Rakhmanov!
Mikhail Rakhmanov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.