PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Khabilov (ranked 6626 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aliev Saur (ranked 4290 p4p, 0 weight class). Khabilov comes to the cage accompanied by 2Pac - When We Ride On Our Enemies. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Khabilov
vs
Saur

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
25
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ruslan Khabilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aliev Saur!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saur shoots in for a takedown but Khabilov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Saur fails with the takedown
and Khabilov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Saur shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Saur showed some decent athleticism there.

Saur wants to work for an arm triangle but Khabilov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Khabilov trying to control but Saur postures up.
Saur winds up and cracks Khabilov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Saur is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saur is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Khabilov moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saur drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Khabilov dives on top into guard.

Khabilov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Khabilov trying to control but Saur is working from the bottom.
Khabilov advances to half guard.

Saur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khabilov pulls his head out easily.
Khabilov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Khabilov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Saur tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Saur keeps trying to improve his position.
Khabilov trying to control but Saur is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saur regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khabilov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Saur has managed to free his arm - good work.
Saur has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad The Island. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Khabilov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Khabilov is looking for a kimura here.

Saur looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Saur is looking for a sweep. Khabilov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Khabilov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Saur defends it well.

Saur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khabilov pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saur actively working from the bottom here.

Khabilov seems to be working for a kimura but Saur defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saur is staying active underneath Khabilov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Saur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Khabilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saur keeps working.

Khabilov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Saur defends it well.
Khabilov is looking to take a break and control but Saur is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Saur looking for submissions off his back.
Khabilov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Saur does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Khabilov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Saur has managed to free his arm - good work.
Khabilov wants to free his trapped foot but Saur is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Saur is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khabilov pulls his head out easily.
Khabilov wants to take a breather but Saur is having none of it.

Saur looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Khabilov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Saur defends it well.
Saur should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Khabilov is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saur regains full guard. Nicely done.

Saur is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Khabilov defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ruslan Khabilov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Khabilov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Saur throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Khabilov's waist but Khabilov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saur off to one side.

Saur shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Saur was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Khabilov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Saur is working for a submission of some sort.

Saur is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Khabilov gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saur scoring with some ground and pound.
Saur must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saur distracts Khabilov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Khabilov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saur lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Saur scoring with punches to the head and body.
Aliev Saur has got the better of the ground game so far.

Saur postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Khabilov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Saur, into his guard.

Saur is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Saur is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Khabilov is aware though and is defending well.
Khabilov pushes down on Saur's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Khabilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Saur keeps working.
Khabilov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Saur is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saur is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Khabilov is tapping! Great win for Saur!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Aliev Saur!