PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakhmanov comes into the arena with Russian national anthem blaring out of the sound system. Martinez is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Emperor's Dawn. Mikhail Rakhmanov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rakhmanov
vs
Martinez

179 cm
29
170 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

178 cm
38
156 lbs
33 - 26 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 26 - 2, fighting out of London, Richard Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the liver by Rakhmanov. Beautiful body shot.
Martinez looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Rakhmanov tries to score with a low kick but Martinez moves his leg out of the way.
Martinez raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Martinez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakhmanov.
We've been hearing reports that Rakhmanov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rakhmanov blocks a low kick nicely.
Martinez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Martinez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakhmanov is looking to slow Martinez down with leg kicks.
Martinez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rakhmanov takes one on the button.
Rakhmanov throws a lazy right hand but Martinez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Martinez connects with a crisp jab.
Richard Martinez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martinez walks into a stiff left hand from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov throws a looping overhand right but Martinez ducks down to avoid it.
Martinez throws a combination. Rakhmanov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Martinez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rakhmanov is able to avoid easily.
Martinez looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Martinez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Martinez uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rakhmanov has time to react.
A big left from Rakhmanov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez connects with a looping right hand.
Martinez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rakhmanov. That did some damage!
Rakhmanov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Martinez.
Martinez walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rakhmanov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Martinez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rakhmanov in his tracks.
Martinez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Martinez throws a leg kick that misses.
Martinez throws a right hand that misses

and Rakhmanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Martinez is looking for a sweep. Rakhmanov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rakhmanov working Martinez over with strikes.
Martinez is staying active underneath Rakhmanov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakhmanov looks to land a strike but Martinez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Martinez has his foot on Rakhmanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rakhmanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Martinez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmanov lands a couple of digs.

Martinez pushes a forearm under Rakhmanov's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Rakhmanov is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Richard Martinez!
After winning the bout, Richard Martinez thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.