PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Halid Saadulaev (ranked 6073 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stroev (ranked 25876 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.

Saadulaev
vs
Stroev

177 cm
19
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
157 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Halid Saadulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Stroev!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stroev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Saadulaev darts in and clinches Stroev up against the cage.

Saadulaev breaks the clinch.

Stroev tries to keep at a distance but Saadulaev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Stroev is trying to pull guard but Saadulaev has him pressed against the cage.

Saadulaev manages to break the clinch.

Saadulaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Saadulaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saadulaev moves out of range as Stroev throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saadulaev clinches up against the cage.
Stroev tries to throw a body punch but Saadulaev avoids it by throwing Stroev back against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stroev.
Stroev is working for takedown but Saadulaev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Stroev is trying to pull guard but Saadulaev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Halid Saadulaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stroev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saadulaev tries a body shot but Stroev blocks it.
Stroev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Saadulaev is defending well.
Saadulaev stalls.
Saadulaev stops a takedown attempt from Stroev.
Stroev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stroev has had enough of the clinch but Saadulaev keeps him there for the moment.
Stroev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stroev looks winded!

Saadulaev pulls guard successfully.
Saadulaev is pulling down on Stroev's head to control his posture.
Stroev wants to control from the top but Saadulaev keeps moving.

Saadulaev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stroev escapes and throws Saadulaev's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saadulaev tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Stroev presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Saadulaev holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Stroev tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Saadulaev is working to get back to half guard.

Stroev has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Saadulaev is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Victor Stroev!