PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Islam Makhacevov (ranked 25035 p4p, 0 weight class) and Usain Thunder (ranked 7484 p4p, 0 weight class). Islam Makhacevov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Usain Thunder's chin.

Makhacevov
vs
Thunder

178 cm
19
186 lbs
2 - 5 - 1

168 cm
19
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Usain Thunder!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Makhacevov enables Thunder to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Makhacevov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Makhacevov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Thunder dives into side control.
Makhacevov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Makhacevov tries to get out of the position.

Makhacevov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thunder on the ground.
Makhacevov is trying to control Thunder's posture but Thunder avoids it.
Thunder is staying tight to Makhacevov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Makhacevov is looking to reverse the position.
Makhacevov can't do much from the bottom here.
Makhacevov is being controlled here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov is trying to get back to half guard.
Makhacevov is letting Thunder control him for a moment.

Thunder thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Thunder tries to stand but Makhacevov is controlling his head.

Thunder swings around for an armbar but Makhacevov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Thunder's guard.
Makhacevov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Thunder keeps moving.
Thunder has Makhacevov pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunder working a defensive guard here.
Thunder should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Makhacevov trying to control the position from guard on top but Thunder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Makhacevov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Thunder keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thunder swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Makhacevov with a nice head shot there.
Makhacevov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Makhacevov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Thunder keeping moving, preventing Makhacevov from controlling successfully.

Makhacevov stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Thunder has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Makhacevov manages to get his head free but now Thunder has transitioned to an armbar! Makhacevov grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Thunder! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Usain Thunder!