PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adam Khaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khaliev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, T-Wayne - Nasty Freestyle. Adam Khaliev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Khaliev
vs
Bates

178 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
218 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Adam Khaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Bates!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Khaliev manages to break the clinch.

Khaliev pushes Bates up against the cage in a clinch.

Bates manages to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khaliev tries to free his leg and advance position but Bates is retaining full guard.
Khaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Bates is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Khaliev advances to half guard.
Khaliev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Khaliev is working for a kimura but Bates is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Khaliev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khaliev is working for a kimura but Bates is defending it quite comfortably.

Khaliev wants to work for an arm triangle but Bates is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Khaliev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bates sees it coming and defends easily.

Khaliev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bates defends it well.
Khaliev wants to pass to mount but Bates is defending the position.
Bates tries to kick Khaliev off but Khaliev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Khaliev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bates is refusing to be controlled, as Khaliev sits in half guard.

Khaliev is looking for a kimura but Bates is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Khaliev to get the leverage.

Khaliev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bates doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Khaliev.
Khaliev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bates's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khaliev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Khaliev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Khaliev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bates keeps working.
Khaliev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bates!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Khaliev goes for an armbar but Bates turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Bates.

Bates got a little sloppy there for a moment and Khaliev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bates has managed to get both his arms back between Khaliev's legs - danger averted.
Bates must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Bates is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Khaliev has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Bates is looking to defend but Khaliev has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Bates! Khaliev pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Bates taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Adam Khaliev!
Adam Khaliev managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Mohito Fightwear, into his post fight interview.