PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matti Mahtava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Mahtava
vs
Kirkland

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matti Mahtava!
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, Karl Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mahtava tries to keep at a distance but Kirkland has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kirkland stalling.

Kirkland jumps guard.
Mahtava wanted to stand there but Kirkland had control of the position.

Mahtava gets to his feet - Kirkland follows without any prompting.
Mahtava stuffs the takedown.
Mahtava misses with the combination.
Mahtava tries to bum rush Kirkland with a series of wild strikes but Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kirkland.
Mahtava swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Mahtava. No joy for Kirkland on that attempt.
Kirkland dodges the punch combination from Mahtava.
Mahtava misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Mahtava misses.
Kirkland fails with the takedown.
Matti Mahtava has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karl Kirkland.
Mahtava takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kirkland.

Mahtava gets caught flat footed, as Kirkland shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kirkland looking to pass the guard.
Kirkland stops Mahtava from standing up.
Kirkland wants to control from the top but Mahtava keeps moving.
Kirkland passes Mahtava's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kirkland content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mahtava is looking to get back to is feet but Kirkland passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirkland stands up.
Mahtava throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahtava throws a right and a left that Kirkland avoids nicely.
Kirkland throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice sprawl there from Mahtava as Kirkland shoots in.
Kirkland looks gassed!
Mahtava misses with a double jab.
Kirkland moves away from the strike by Mahtava.
Mahtava throws a right hand that Kirkland ducks under and follows up with a left that Kirkland also avoids with ease.
Mahtava throws a poor cross that misses

and Kirkland counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kirkland decides to stand back up. Kirkland steps back and let's Mahtava get back to his feet.
Kirkland shoots in for a takedown but Mahtava shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtava lands a jab to the nose.

Kirkland scores a takedown into full mount!
Mahtava is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kirkland looking to finish Mahtava with some ground and pound. This is bad for Mahtava!
Kirkland lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Mahtava is rocked!

Kirkland quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Kirkland but it's paid off an Mahtava is forced to tap! Nice work by Kirkland.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Karl Kirkland!