PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Idar Balkarov (ranked 4329 p4p, 4246 weight class) and Martin Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 508 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Balkarov
vs
Johnston

195 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
209
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Idar Balkarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Martin Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnston tries to bum rush Balkarov with a series of wild strikes but Balkarov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Idar Balkarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balkarov checks a leg kick nicely.
Johnston slips a jab and a cross from Balkarov.
Johnston wants to clinch.
As Johnston tries to get set, Balkarov tries to push him back and clinch up but Johnston manages to avoid the attempt.
Johnston tries to clinch up but Balkarov circles away and keeps his distance.

Johnston gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkarov managing to block the knees to the body from Johnston.
Balkarov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnston looking to stall.
Balkarov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnston smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkarov misses the shot to the body.
Balkarov shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balkarov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Johnston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Balkarov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnston tries to clinch up.
Balkarov fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Idar Balkarov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnston tries to clinch but Balkarov moves out of range.

Balkarov clinches up with Johnston and pushes him back against the cage.

Balkarov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Balkarov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Johnston defends well and Balkarov ends up having to push Johnston into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Johnston is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Balkarov is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston is trying to force a seperation but Balkarov has the dominant position.
Balkarov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnston pulls his leg out and moves away.
Johnston wants to clinch.

Balkarov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnston, pushing him back against the cage.
Balkarov leaning against his opponent.
Johnston wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Balkarov breaks from the clinch.
Balkarov dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnston sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Balkarov prevents Johnston from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston wants to get back to striking at distance but Balkarov won't allow it.
Johnston wants to break free but Balkarov has control.
Johnston wants to get back to striking at distance but Balkarov won't allow it.
Balkarov keeps control of Johnston as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnston misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkarov.
Johnston works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Balkarov is breathing heavily.
Johnston tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balkarov avoids it.
Johnston tries to circle away but Balkarov has him pinned against the cage.
Johnston blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkarov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnston fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Balkarov. Those never looked like landing.
Balkarov throws a head kick but Johnston moves out of range.
Johnston fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnston tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkarov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnston tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balkarov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnston tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Balkarov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Balkarov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnston lands a really nice looking cross but Balkarov seems unphased.

It looks like Idar Balkarov has been cut.
Johnston wants to slow Balkarov down by chopping away at his legs.
Johnston tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Balkarov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Balkarov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Johnston rattles Balkarov with a well-timed uppercut counter. - Balkarov tries to back away and recover but his hands are down low and he gets tagged again, sending him stumbling down to the canvas. Johnston dives in after him and quickly finishes the job with a trio of brutal punches, leaving Balkarov stiff and motionless on the mat!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Martin Johnston!