PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Toghrul Asgarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Cherry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Cherry will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Asgarov
vs
Cherry

172 cm
19
139 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Bellum Dominum
Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)

Acton Nutrition Company

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toghrul Asgarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chris Cherry!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cherry tries to close the distance and clinch but Asgarov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asgarov darts in looking for a takedown but Cherry gets double underhooks and turns Asgarov into the cage.
Cherry is trying to stall.
Cherry throws an elbow that misses.
Asgarov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Cherry trying to control the position but instead, Asgarov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cherry into the cage.
Asgarov takes an elbow to the temple.
Cherry lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cherry wants to stall.
Asgarov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cherry after a bit of a struggle.
Cherry has a couple of punches blocked by Asgarov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asgarov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cherry avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toghrul Asgarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cherry tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Asgarov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cherry working aggressively here.
Cherry leaning against his opponent.
Cherry is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Asgarov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cherry fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Asgarov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cherry looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cherry taking punishment in the form of punches.
Cherry is pushing Asgarov's head away, looking to escape. Asgarov manages to hold on to the position though.
Asgarov working the head with strikes.
Asgarov working the head with strikes.
Cherry looks winded!
Asgarov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Cherry is not content to let Asgarov control the position.
Asgarov looks up at the clock and then as Cherry takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Asgarov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asgarov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Asgarov has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Cherry is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Asgarov yanks on the arm and Cherry is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Asgarov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Toghrul Asgarov!
A relieved looking Toghrul Asgarov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.