PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Chalidow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Charleston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chalidow comes to the cage accompanied by Martin Garrix - Proxy. James Charleston will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Chalidow
vs
Charleston

183 cm
32
185 lbs
12 - 16 - 0

187 cm
23
195 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mamed Chalidow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Charleston!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Charleston moves in looking to clinch but Chalidow pushes him off.
Chalidow blocks a head kick by Charleston.
Chalidow drops down looking for a counter takedown but Charleston sprawls and moves away.
Chalidow swats away the attempt to clinch by Charleston.
Charleston tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Charleston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Charleston tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Chalidow paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Charleston tries to clinch but Chalidow moves away

and Chalidow counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Charleston can do anything to dispel that myth.
Chalidow trying to control but Charleston is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chalidow showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Charleston keeping full guard, as Chalidow tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charleston wants to get back to his feet but Chalidow is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chalidow trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Chalidow is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Charleston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chalidow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Chalidow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Charleston swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chalidow takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chalidow gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Charleston counters with a left and a right that stings Chalidow.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chalidow is defended easily by Charleston.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charleston is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Charleston gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chalidow tries to bench press Charleston off him but Charleston keeps the position.

Charleston tries for a kimura but Chalidow is defending well.
Chalidow manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Charleston is trying to control the action in half guard but Chalidow is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Chalidow looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Chalidow works his way to full guard. Good work.
Charleston postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chalidow working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Charleston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Chalidow is tightening it up a little... Charleston has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Charleston reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Charleston taps out! Nice BJJ there by Chalidow!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Mamed Chalidow!
A relieved looking Mamed Chalidow thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.