PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Khadartsev (ranked 949 p4p, 117 weight class) and Mikhail Martynov (ranked 1558 p4p, 184 weight class). Sasha Khadartsev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Khadartsev
vs
Martynov

188 cm
24
248 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

175 cm
23
275 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sasha Khadartsev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Martynov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Martynov misses.
Khadartsev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

It looks like Mikhail Martynov has been cut.
Khadartsev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khadartsev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Martynov.

Martynov moves into the clinch successfully.

Martynov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Martynov drives through and clinches with Khadartsev against the ropes.
Khadartsev has a couple of punches blocked by Martynov.
Martynov prevents a body shot from Khadartsev.

Khadartsev successfully pulls guard.
Martynov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Khadartsev wants to sweep but no luck.
Martynov wanted to stand there but Khadartsev had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Martynov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Khadartsev, up you get!
Martynov swings for the body but Khadartsev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martynov has Khadartsev up against the ropes in a clinch.
Khadartsev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Martynov misses with the head strike.
Khadartsev jumps guard but Martynov turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

Khadartsev decides to pull guard.

Martynov stands and steps away. Khadartsev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Khadartsev tries to keep at a distance but Martynov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Khadartsev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Martynov tries to stand but Khadartsev is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Martynov stands up from Khadartsev's guard - Martynov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Martynov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martynov misses with a wild body shot.
Khadartsev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Khadartsev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Martynov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Khadartsev.
Khadartsev cracks Martynov with a right hand to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khadartsev connects with a jab.

Martynov is rocked!

Khadartsev closes the distance looking for a takedown. Martynov stuffs it but Khadartsev still has hold of him. Khadartsev picks Martynov up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Khadartsev slams Martynov to the floor and that's really hurt Martynov - he doesn't know where he is! Khadartsev throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sasha Khadartsev!
During a confident post fight interview, Sasha Khadartsev thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.