PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marty Atkinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vejas Nupustas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vejas Nupustas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Atkinson
vs
Nupustas

154 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marty Atkinson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vejas Nupustas!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkinson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nupustas as he jumps to the side.
Nupustas looks to throw a body kick

and Atkinson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Nupustas!
Nupustas is looking for a sweep.
Atkinson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Nupustas tries to bench press Atkinson off him but Atkinson keeps the position.
Atkinson is looking to take a break and control but Nupustas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nupustas dodges the ground and pound from Atkinson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkinson wants to stand but Nupustas is controlling his arm.

Atkinson swings around for an armbar but Nupustas sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Atkinson's guard.
Atkinson pulls Nupustas in close to prevent any damage.
Nupustas sitting in guard here, content to control.
Atkinson wants to sweep here but Nupustas controlling him for the moment.
Atkinson wants to control but Nupustas passes easily into half guard.
Nupustas wants to free his trapped foot but Atkinson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson wants to improve his position but Nupustas is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atkinson is trying to control but can't.
Nupustas performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nupustas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nupustas trying to control the action but Atkinson is working from the bottom.
Nupustas is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Atkinson doesn't manage to clinch there - Nupustas circles away.
Vejas Nupustas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atkinson tries to clinch there but Nupustas circles away.

Atkinson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nupustas is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Atkinson working the head and body with strikes.
Nupustas regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nupustas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Nupustas is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Atkinson rolls with it to try and escape but Nupustas cranks on the arm and Atkinson is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vejas Nupustas!
A determined Vejas Nupustas didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!