PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Khabilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rancid Crabtree (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khabilov comes to the cage accompanied by Rihanna Bitch Better Have My Money. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khabilov
vs
Crabtree

182 cm
22
187 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

181 cm
22
186 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu
Mohito Fightwear

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Khabilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rancid Crabtree!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crabtree tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Khabilov dodges the punch combination from Crabtree.
Crabtree wants to clinch.
Rancid Crabtree seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Crabtree gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Crabtree can do anything to dispel that myth.
Crabtree keeping moving, preventing Khabilov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khabilov throwing strikes from guard but Crabtree blocks nicely.
Khabilov trying to control the position from guard on top but Crabtree is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khabilov is looking to work some ground and pound but Crabtree has wrist control.
Khabilov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khabilov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Khabilov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Khabilov stopping the sweep attempt from Crabtree.
Crabtree really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khabilov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Khabilov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Khabilov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've been hearing good reports from Khabilov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Khabilov scoring with some ground and pound.
Khabilov wants to control from the top but Crabtree keeps moving.
Khabilov throws an elbow that misses. Crabtree uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Khabilov's guard. Nice move by Crabtree!

Khabilov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My spies in Montreal Fighter's Gym (5* Sparring) inform me that Crabtree has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Khabilov pulls Crabtree in close to prevent any damage.
Khabilov wants to sweep here but Crabtree controlling him for the moment.
Khabilov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khabilov has his hands on Crabtree's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Crabtree is looking to clinch but Khabilov is avoiding it.
Khabilov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Khabilov shoots in for a double leg but Crabtree sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Khabilov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Khabilov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Crabtree.
Khabilov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Crabtree avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Khabilov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khabilov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crabtree closes the distance and pushes Khabilov back into the cage.
Crabtree throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Khabilov blocks it with crossed arms.
Crabtree scores with a shot to the side of Khabilov's head.
Crabtree misses with an elbow over the top.
Crabtree landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Crabtree swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Khabilov avoids a wild elbow strike from Crabtree.
Khabilov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Crabtree prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crabtree has a couple of punches blocked by Khabilov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crabtree trying to land knees to the body.
Khabilov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crabtree avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rancid Crabtree dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slapping leg kick lands for Crabtree.
Khabilov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Crabtree is fending him off so far but Khabilov persists. Nope, Crabtree circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed right hand from Khabilov misses the target.
Crabtree throws a counter combo.
Crabtree tries a head kick but it misses.

Khabilov gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khabilov working the strikes but Crabtree uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Crabtree has hold of Khabilov's hands but Khabilov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Khabilov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Khabilov is thwarting Crabtree's attempts to control the position.
Crabtree blocking the ground and pound attempt from Khabilov.
Khabilov is nestled in close to Crabtree, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Khabilov throwing shots but Crabtree is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khabilov is keen to just control but Crabtree is a slippery customer.
Crabtree has a hand on Khabilov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Khabilov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Khabilov lands a big shot there that rocks Crabtree but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Khabilov prevents Crabtree from getting the reversal.
Crabtree keeps trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Khabilov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Khabilov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The referee warns Crabtree that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Rustam Khabilov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Khabilov content just to control the position here.
Khabilov lands with some strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Khabilov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Khabilov drops a big elbow. That's hurt Crabtree! More shots from Khabilov and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rustam Khabilov!
Rustam Khabilov managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Mohito Fightwear, into his post fight interview.