PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Phol Boxaaja (ranked 5439 p4p, 2870 weight class) and David Dilbrandt (ranked 0 p4p, 267 weight class). Dilbrandt has chosen Rock the Dragon as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Boxaaja
vs
Dilbrandt

180 cm
36
117
27 - 21 - 0

169 cm
29
149
12 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 27 - 21 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Phol Boxaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, David Dilbrandt!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boxaaja shoots in looking for a takedown but Dilbrandt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Boxaaja's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dilbrandt throws a quick inside leg kick.
Phol Boxaaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping body kick lands there for Dilbrandt.
Dilbrandt pivots, looking for a leg kick but Boxaaja is out of range and Dilbrandt settles back down.
Dilbrandt misses with a body kick.
Dilbrandt throws a looping overhand right but Boxaaja ducks down to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Dilbrandt as Boxaaja shoots in.

Boxaaja scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Boxaaja is working for a kimura but Dilbrandt is defending it quite comfortably.
Dilbrandt regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dilbrandt looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boxaaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Dilbrandt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Boxaaja drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dilbrandt manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Boxaaja has Dilbrandt in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dilbrandt slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Boxaaja manages to get back to half guard.
Dilbrandt is keen to just control but Boxaaja is a slippery customer.
Dilbrandt stalling away here and it's allowed Boxaaja to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Dilbrandt tries to free his leg and advance position but Boxaaja is retaining full guard.
Dilbrandt sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Boxaaja really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Dilbrandt has gone for a leg lock! Boxaaja slips out almost immediately though and dives into Dilbrandt's guard.

Boxaaja advances position into side control!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Boxaaja goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Dilbrandt has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Boxaaja but great work by Dilbrandt.
Boxaaja is looking for a sweep.

Dilbrandt thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dilbrandt working the strikes but Boxaaja uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boxaaja looking for submissions off his back.
Dilbrandt stalling away here and it's allowed Boxaaja to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Dilbrandt tries to free his leg and advance position but Boxaaja is retaining full guard.

Dilbrandt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Boxaaja has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dilbrandt has managed to get both his arms back between Boxaaja's legs - danger averted.

Dilbrandt stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Boxaaja throws up his legs and catches Dilbrandt in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Dilbrandt tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Boxaaja! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Phol Boxaaja!
A very excited looking Phol Boxaaja made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.