PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tikhon Mechnikov (ranked 4647 p4p, 6275 weight class) and Zachary Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikhon Mechnikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mechnikov
vs
Crawford

172 cm
25
130
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
135
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight 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, Tikhon Mechnikov!
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, Zachary Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mechnikov tries to sprawl but Crawford drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mechnikov pushes Crawford off and gets back to his feet.
Crawford is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mechnikov tries to counter with a takedown but Crawford is quick to defend against it.
Crawford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mechnikov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Crawford sprawls and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Crawford or perhaps it was just good defense by Mechnikov, which made it look bad.
Mechnikov attempts a counter takedown but Crawford avoids it well and moves away.

Mechnikov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Crawford to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Mechnikov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Crawford off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford fails with the takedown.
Mechnikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tikhon Mechnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zachary Crawford.
Crawford is looking to clinch but Mechnikov is avoiding it.
Zachary Crawford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crawford shoots in for a double leg but Mechnikov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Crawford tries to clinch up but Mechnikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Crawford tries to clinch up but Mechnikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Mechnikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford stalks Mechnikov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mechnikov's face. Mechnikov staggers backwards, shaken.
Crawford shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mechnikov but Mechnikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Crawford shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mechnikov as he jumps to the side.
Crawford is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Crawford shoots in looking for a takedown but Mechnikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Crawford's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Crawford looks winded!
Crawford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mechnikov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Crawford sprawls and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Crawford is defended easily by Mechnikov.
Mechnikov feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Mechnikov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Crawford is trying to escape back to his feet but Mechnikov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Crawford looking for a sweep but Mechnikov has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mechnikov content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mechnikov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tikhon Mechnikov dominated that round.
That's time! Mechnikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Crawford misses with a wild body shot.
Crawford shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mechnikov pinned against the cage. Mechnikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mechnikov drops down looking for a counter takedown but Crawford sprawls and moves away.
Crawford tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mechnikov feinted with a counter takedown.
Crawford pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mechnikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crawford looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mechnikov is looking for a sweep. Crawford is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mechnikov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Mechnikov has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Crawford. Oh but Mechnikov has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Crawford goes limp - he's gone! Mechnikov jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Tikhon Mechnikov!