PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akolo Mbozo (ranked 4352 p4p, 477 weight class) and Pasha Pedikov (ranked 5942 p4p, 532 weight class). The key to victory for Akolo Mbozo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Mbozo
vs
Pedikov

188 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
24
174 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akolo Mbozo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pasha Pedikov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pedikov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mbozo is adopting a defensive guard.
Mbozo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pedikov controls the pace.
Pedikov wants to get up but he can't break Mbozo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pedikov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Pedikov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mbozo keeping full guard, as Pedikov tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pedikov looking to sit in guard and control but Mbozo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mbozo is working Pedikov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mbozo postures up in Pedikov's guard and throws a big left but Pedikov blocks it.
Mbozo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mbozo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mbozo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mbozo lands a couple of elbows.
Mbozo trying to control the position from guard on top but Pedikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pedikov is trying to keep Mbozo in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mbozo stands and throws Pedikov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pedikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mbozo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pedikov tries to improve position but can't.
Mbozo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Mbozo with the ground and pound but Pedikov regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Pedikov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mbozo throwing shots but Pedikov is blocking nicely.
Pedikov controlling the position for now.
Mbozo slips a nice elbow through Pedikov's hands, connecting with Pedikov's forehead.
Pedikov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Pedikov keeping hold of Mbozo's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pedikov has a hand on Mbozo's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mbozo takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Mbozo breaks from Pedikov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Mbozo lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Mbozo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mbozo lands a big elbow - Pedikov is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Pedikov is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Akolo Mbozo!