PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eugeniy Akulenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timoteo Belo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akulenko comes to the cage accompanied by Cowboys From Hell. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Akulenko
vs
Belo

170 cm
24
165 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

182 cm
24
158 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eugeniy Akulenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timoteo Belo!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Belo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Akulenko is refusing to be controlled, as Belo sits in half guard.
Belo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Belo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Belo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Akulenko defending well though.
Belo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Belo is looking to advance position but Akulenko won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko tries to kick Belo off but Belo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Belo is working for a submission of some sort.
Belo trying to control the action but Akulenko is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akulenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Belo.
Belo wants to take a breather but Akulenko is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Belo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Belo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Akulenko.
Belo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Belo shoots in but Akulenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Akulenko lands a body shot.
A head kick misses from Belo.
Belo throws a head kick that misses.
Belo throws a sloppy head kick and Akulenko moves out of range easily.
Belo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Akulenko.
Akulenko wants to clinch up but Belo keeps it at a distance.
Akulenko tries to work over Belo's front leg with a kick but Belo checks it.
Akulenko lands a nice looking body kick.
Belo tries for a takedown but Akulenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Belo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Belo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And Belo tries to counter it with a takedown but Akulenko pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akulenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Belo.
Akulenko cracks Belo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Belo is rocked!

Akulenko pushes Belo up against the cage in a clinch.
Belo is still on wobbly legs! Can Akulenko finish him?
Belo being controlled against the cage.
Akulenko has Belo pressed against the cage.
A knee to the head by Akulenko.

Akulenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belo looks to land a combination but Akulenko avoids it well.
Akulenko throws a front kick that sends Belo stumbling back into the cage.
Belo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akulenko keeps Belo at a distance using the push kick.
Belo looks winded!

Akulenko has managed to clinch.
Belo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Akulenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Eugeniy Akulenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timoteo Belo.
Belo drops his hands momentarily and Akulenko needs no second invitation. He sets himself and throws a perfect high kick, that clips Belo just on the top of the head. Belo drops like a sack of potatoes to the canvas, out cold! Oooooooh yeah! Stick a fork in Belo - he's done!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Eugeniy Akulenko!
Eugeniy Akulenko took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.