PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khamzat Chimaev (ranked 4071 p4p, 4077 weight class) and Khasan Abdurakhman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chimaev comes into the arena with Khamzat Song blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Chimaev
vs
Abdurakhman

188 cm
23
184
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
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, Khamzat Chimaev!
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, Khasan Abdurakhman!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdurakhman tries to clinch there but Chimaev circles away.
Chimaev tries a head kick but it misses.
Abdurakhman is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Chimaev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Abdurakhman wants to counter with a clinch but Chimaev pushes him away.
Chimaev shoots in for a takedown but Abdurakhman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Abdurakhman throws a left and a right that both miss
and Chimaev counters with a left and a right that stings Abdurakhman.

Abdurakhman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Abdurakhman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Abdurakhman trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Chimaev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Abdurakhman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev controlling the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Chimaev continues to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Chimaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abdurakhman avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Abdurakhman shoots for a takedown but Chimaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Chimaev gets caught flat footed, as Abdurakhman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Chimaev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chimaev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Abdurakhman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Abdurakhman content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdurakhman stopping the sweep attempt from Chimaev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abdurakhman trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Abdurakhman won't allow Chimaev to get back to his feet.
Chimaev controlling the position.

Chimaev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Abdurakhman uses it to pass to side control.
Abdurakhman tries to move to mount but Chimaev blocks the move with his legs.
Abdurakhman is looking to take a break and control but Chimaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Chimaev tries to buck Abdurakhman off but Abdurakhman is having none of it.
Abdurakhman trying to control the action but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
Abdurakhman misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abdurakhman throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Abdurakhman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chimaev keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Khasan Abdurakhman will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Abdurakhman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Abdurakhman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Chimaev to the mat! Chimaev manages to get full guard.
Chimaev wants to sweep but no luck.
Abdurakhman looking to pass the guard.
Chimaev pulls Abdurakhman in close to his closed guard and prevents Abdurakhman from doing any damage or advancing position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdurakhman with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdurakhman looking to sit in guard and control but Chimaev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Abdurakhman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Chimaev controlling from the top position.
Khasan Abdurakhman has got the better of the ground game so far.

Chimaev is sitting in close to Abdurakhman's body. Abdurakhman has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Chimaev is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Chimaev is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Abdurakhman.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Khasan Abdurakhman!
Khamzat Chimaev spoke after the fight, saying 'See you next time.'.