PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kerim Mansiz (ranked 23734 p4p, 23404 weight class) and Vladimir Rurikovich (ranked 667 p4p, 650 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Mansiz
vs
Rurikovich

184 cm
20
200
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
184
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kerim Mansiz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vladimir Rurikovich!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Mansiz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mansiz wants a takedown.
Mansiz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mansiz wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kerim Mansiz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rurikovich lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rurikovich stalling in the clinch.
Rurikovich lands with a short shot to the head.
Rurikovich throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mansiz blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rurikovich.
We've been hearing reports that Mansiz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Mansiz jumps guard and drags Rurikovich to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rurikovich's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rurikovich really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mansiz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rurikovich sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mansiz's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mansiz manages to get to full guard.
Rurikovich trying to control but Mansiz is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mansiz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mansiz looking for a guillotine here but Rurikovich defends easily.
Rurikovich wants to control from the top but Mansiz keeps moving.
Mansiz keeping full guard, as Rurikovich tries to pass.

Mansiz has his foot on Rurikovich's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rurikovich works his way back into a safe position though.
Rurikovich controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Mansiz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rurikovich doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Mansiz is tightening it up a little... Rurikovich has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Rurikovich reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Rurikovich taps out! Nice BJJ there by Mansiz!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Kerim Mansiz!
After the fight, Kerim Mansiz was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.