PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zhenis Kaliev (ranked 3564 p4p, 5314 weight class) and Charles Ribeiro (ranked 351 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kaliev
vs
Ribeiro

186 cm
25
160
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
155
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zhenis Kaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Charles Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaliev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ribeiro but Ribeiro pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ribeiro steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kaliev.

Kaliev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ribeiro looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Ribeiro explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Kaliev with a nice calf kick.
Kaliev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ribeiro.
Kaliev scores with a hook to the body. Ribeiro takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaliev shoots in for a double leg but Ribeiro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kaliev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ribeiro swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhenis Kaliev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaliev has his takedown stuffed

and Ribeiro counters by moving into the clinch.
Kaliev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kaliev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ribeiro is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kaliev is breathing heavily.
Ribeiro throws a punch but it's blocked by Kaliev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ribeiro.
Kaliev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ribeiro's elbow.
Kaliev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kaliev blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kaliev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Ribeiro.
Kaliev leaves Ribeiro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kaliev has managed to clinch.
Kaliev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Kaliev tightens his grip and picks Ribeiro up, before dumping him to the ground. Ribeiro manages to land in guard.

Ribeiro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaliev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro is trying to control the position but Kaliev postures up.
Kaliev won't allow Ribeiro to sweep him here.
Ribeiro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kaliev throwing strikes from guard but Ribeiro blocks nicely.

Ribeiro pushes a forearm under Kaliev's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Kaliev is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Charles Ribeiro!
A pretty intense looking Charles Ribeiro took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.