PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Albert Aliev (ranked 25660 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stroev (ranked 3843 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Albert Aliev has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Aliev
vs
Stroev

173 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 19 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Albert Aliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Stroev!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stroev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Aliev was covering up waiting for the punch and Stroev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Aliev wants to get back to his feet but Stroev passes into half guard.

Aliev wants to get back to full guard.
Stroev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stroev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Well, if Stroev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stroev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Aliev!
Stroev lands a nice shot to the head.

Stroev looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Stroev controlling the position easily from mount.
BOOM! Stroev connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stroev landing shots from mount.
Stroev lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Aliev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Stroev cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Stroev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stroev landing strikes from the mount and Aliev is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev controlling the position easily from mount.
Stroev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Stroev is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Stroev throws a series of punches but Aliev avoids them all with ease.
Aliev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stroev.
Stroev tries to land a front kick but Aliev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Aliev doesn't manage to clinch there - Stroev circles away.
Stroev leaves Aliev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Aliev is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aliev misses with a takedown

and Stroev counters by moving into the clinch.

Stroev has hold of one of Aliev's legs. Aliev is fighting the takedown attempt but Stroev gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Aliev is looking to stand back up but Stroev counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Aliev.

Stroev seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stroev dominated that round.
That's time! Aliev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aliev tries to clinch up but Stroev circles away and keeps his distance.

Stroev fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Aliev to the ground. Stroev is now in Aliev's guard.
Aliev trying to keep a closed guard but Stroev is proving a slippery customer.
Stroev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Aliev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stroev slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stroev's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev slips a nice elbow through Aliev's hands, connecting with Aliev's forehead.
Stroev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stroev is taking a breather. Aliev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aliev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stroev is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Stroev is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Aliev is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Victor Stroev!