PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matteo Chibaclov (ranked 4197 p4p, 4225 weight class) and Rashidi Atkins (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.

Chibaclov
vs
Atkins

187 cm
25
195
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
21
185
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
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 Rio de Janeiro, Matteo Chibaclov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rashidi Atkins!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chibaclov shoots in and gets a takedown into Atkins's guard.
Chibaclov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chibaclov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Chibaclov wants to control but Atkins is keeping him busy.
Chibaclov tries to move to mount but Atkins blocks the move with his legs.
Chibaclov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chibaclov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chibaclov wants to control but Atkins is keeping him busy.

Chibaclov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Chibaclov controls the position from side control.
Chibaclov has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Chibaclov content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Chibaclov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Chibaclov looking to control but Atkins is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Chibaclov prevents Atkins from getting the reversal.

Chibaclov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Atkins to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Atkins shrugs it off.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Atkins blocking the ground and pound.
Chibaclov working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Atkins slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Chibaclov is taking a breather. Atkins says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Atkins looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chibaclov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Chibaclov blocks the strikes from Atkins.
Chibaclov works his way into side control.
Chibaclov wants to control but Atkins is keeping him busy.
Chibaclov working the strikes but Atkins uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Atkins is looking for a sweep. Chibaclov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Chibaclov seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Chibaclov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Chibaclov wants to work for an arm triangle but Atkins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Atkins is refusing to be controlled, as Chibaclov sits in half guard.
Chibaclov moves nicely into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Atkins is being controlled here.
Chibaclov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Atkins for as long as he can get away with.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Matteo Chibaclov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Atkins shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Chibaclov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Chibaclov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Atkins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chibaclov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Atkins has managed to get both his arms back between Chibaclov's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chibaclov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Atkins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chibaclov wants to control from the top but Atkins keeps moving.
Chibaclov controlling from the top position.

Atkins has his foot on Chibaclov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chibaclov works his way back into a safe position though.
Chibaclov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Chibaclov passes Atkins's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Chibaclov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Atkins can do to turn this around?
Atkins wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Chibaclov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Chibaclov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Chibaclov is trying for a kimura here. Atkins looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Chibaclov wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Matteo Chibaclov!