PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Gabriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gabriel
vs
Astakhov

182 cm
29
200 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

182 cm
26
197 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Gabriel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Astakhov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Gabriel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Astakhov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Astakhov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gabriel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gabriel wants to stand and escape but Astakhov is having none of it.
Astakhov throws a big right hand that misses.
Astakhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gabriel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Astakhov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gabriel keeping moving, preventing Astakhov from controlling successfully.
Astakhov postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabriel keeping full guard, as Astakhov tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gabriel looks to land a right hand but Astakhov moved out of range.
Astakhov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gabriel closes the distance and clinches up with Astakhov, looking for a takedown. Gabriel pushes Astakhov against the cage but Astakhov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacques Gabriel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabriel misses with an uppercut. Astakhov saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gabriel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Astakhov tries to avoid it but Gabriel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Astakhov to the ground. Astakhov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gabriel dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gabriel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Astakhov avoids the body shot from Gabriel.
Gabriel shoots and misses

and Astakhov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gabriel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gabriel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Astakhov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gabriel.
Gabriel prevents Astakhov from improving his position.
Astakhov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Gabriel wants to work for an arm triangle but Astakhov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Gabriel maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Astakhov could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Gabriel has cracked it and Astakhov is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Gabriel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jacques Gabriel!
Jacques Gabriel retains his middleweight title!
Jacques Gabriel thanked the fans post fight for their support.