PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rusty Kulikovo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Michaels (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.

Kulikovo
vs
Michaels

188 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rusty Kulikovo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulikovo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Michaels fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kulikovo sprawls well initially but Michaels persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kulikovo trying to control but Michaels postures up.
Kulikovo gets full guard.

Michaels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Michaels with a flurry of punches that miss.

Michaels drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kulikovo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kulikovo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kulikovo!

Kulikovo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kulikovo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Michaels is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kulikovo tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels is looking to regain half guard here but Kulikovo keeps moving and retains side control.
Michaels throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Kulikovo has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Michaels is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Kulikovo yanks on the arm and Michaels is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Kulikovo.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rusty Kulikovo!