PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Newton Counts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Obuhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Counts
vs
Obuhov

186 cm
20
194 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Newton Counts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Obuhov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Obuhov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Counts counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Counts fails to land.
Counts is stalling here.
Obuhov tries to pull guard but Counts won't allow it.
Obuhov tries for a takedown but Counts manages to get underhooks.
Newton Counts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anton Obuhov.
Counts is struggling to control the position.
Obuhov jumps guard but Counts stands there with Obuhov around his waist. Obuhov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Obuhov tries to pull guard but Counts holds him up against the cage and eventually Obuhov drops back down to his feet.
Counts lands a left hand.

It looks like Anton Obuhov has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Counts is leaning against Obuhov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Obuhov working hard to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Counts scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Counts.
A short right from Counts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Counts tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Counts goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Counts scores with a hook to the body.
Counts taking a breather.
Counts scores with a hook to the body.
Counts cracks Obuhov with a nice body shot.
Counts doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Counts lands with a short shot to the head.
Obuhov wants to stall.

Obuhov successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Obuhov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Counts defends it easily.

Obuhov looking for a guillotine here but Counts defends easily.
Counts has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Counts slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Obuhov keeping full guard, as Counts tries to pass.
Obuhov has his hands on Counts's head, controlling the position.

Obuhov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Counts doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Counts manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Counts has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Obuhov to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Counts is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Obuhov pulls down on the head and he's put Counts to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Anton Obuhov!
An out of breath Anton Obuhov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.