PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Kramer (ranked 1603 p4p, 5741 weight class) and Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov (ranked 210 p4p, 529 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kramer
vs
Zhanbolatov

197 cm
23
213
7 - 6 - 0

190 cm
22
210
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jon Kramer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Beibitzhan Zhanbolatov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zhanbolatov darts in and clinches Kramer up against the cage.
Kramer is looking for a takedown.
Kramer blocks an uppercut.
Kramer drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zhanbolatov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zhanbolatov stops a takedown attempt from Kramer.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Kramer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kramer is trying to drag Zhanbolatov to the mat but Zhanbolatov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zhanbolatov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kramer backwards.

Zhanbolatov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kramer fails with the takedown.
Zhanbolatov counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhanbolatov gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Kramer counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Kramer is trying to work for a kimura but Zhanbolatov is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kramer is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zhanbolatov is just riding it out for now. Kramer eventually gives up the hold.

Kramer is looking for a kimura here.

Kramer is working for a kimura here but Zhanbolatov manages to reverse the position and he's now in Kramer's guard.
Zhanbolatov trying to control but Kramer is working from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zhanbolatov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Zhanbolatov advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kramer is not content to let Zhanbolatov control the position.
Kramer tries to improve position but can't.
Zhanbolatov grinds an elbow into Kramer's temple.
Zhanbolatov working the ground and pound.
Kramer is looking for a sweep.
Kramer gets back to half guard.
Zhanbolatov trying to control the pace.

Kramer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kramer is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kramer has hold of Zhanbolatov's hands but Zhanbolatov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kramer tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Zhanbolatov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kramer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kramer actively working from the bottom here.
Zhanbolatov wants to take a breather but Kramer is having none of it.
Kramer manages to get to full guard.
Kramer keeping moving, preventing Zhanbolatov from controlling successfully.

Kramer is looking to cinch up a triangle. Zhanbolatov throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Kramer's body to avoid the submission. Kramer has instead reached around Zhanbolatov's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Kramer arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jon Kramer!