PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Zolotov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dylan Thurston (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.

Zolotov
vs
Thurston

197 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Ivan Zolotov!
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, Dylan Thurston!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zolotov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zolotov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thurston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zolotov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zolotov has a closed guard, preventing Thurston from standing up.
Thurston stops Zolotov from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thurston accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zolotov keeping moving, preventing Thurston from controlling successfully.
Zolotov wants to sweep here but Thurston controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zolotov has his foot on Thurston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Thurston works his way back into a safe position though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Thurston shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zolotov is positioning himself well to prevent Thurston advancing to mount.
Thurston seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Thurston trying to control the action but Zolotov is working from the bottom.
Zolotov lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Thurston passes the guard and advances to mount!
Thurston looking to control and managing it successfully.
Thurston looking to ground and pound but Zolotov is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zolotov tries to reverse the position but Thurston maintains control.
Zolotov is breathing heavily.
Thurston moves to the back.
Zolotov rolls, trying to escape but Thurston keeps control of the position.
Zolotov looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Zolotov is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Zolotov can't escape the position.

Thurston working for a choke but Zolotov is defending well.

Thurston is working for a rear naked choke. Zolotov is not defending it well and Thurston has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Zolotov refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Zolotov's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dylan Thurston!