PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Zirkhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and striker besenio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). besenio is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: so cold. 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.

Zirkhov
vs
besenio

167 cm
20
169 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Zirkhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, striker besenio!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zirkhov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zirkhov lands in his opponent's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zirkhov trying to control the position from guard on top but besenio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zirkhov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. besenio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
besenio keeping moving, preventing Zirkhov from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zirkhov wants to pass the guard but besenio is keeping the position.

Zirkhov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Zirkhov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zirkhov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
besenio tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkhov trying to control but besenio is working from the bottom.
Zirkhov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because besenio is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Zirkhov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zirkhov wants to lay and pray for a moment but besenio keeps working.
Zirkhov grinds an elbow into besenio's temple.
Zirkhov advances to mount.
Zirkhov moves to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zirkhov working for the choke.
Zirkhov is controlling the position but besenio somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Zirkhov passes to full mount!
besenio has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Zirkhov's lack of action.
Zirkhov passes to side control.
Zirkhov lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zirkhov tries to move into full mount but can't pass besenio's legs.
besenio throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Zirkhov wants to control but besenio is keeping him busy.
Zirkhov lands an elbow.
besenio struggling a bit here.
besenio looks gassed!
besenio tries to improve position but can't.
Zirkhov trying to control the position but besenio is working away.
You can see the frustration on besenio's face as Zirkhov controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zirkhov wants to lay and pray for a moment but besenio keeps working.

Zirkhov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Zirkhov advances to full mount.
besenio is controlling an arm, preventing Zirkhov from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Zirkhov controlling from mount.

Zirkhov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force besenio to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so besenio shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Zirkhov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zirkhov dives in and grabs besenio's left leg, looking for a takedown. besenio pushes down on Zirkhov's head and hops out.
besenio with a poor takedown

and Zirkhov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zirkhov.
besenio controls Zirkhov momentarily but Zirkhov frees himself.
Zirkhov advances to half guard.

Zirkhov is looking for a kimura here.
Zirkhov prevents besenio from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zirkhov content to control rather than advance.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zirkhov lands a nice short elbow.
Zirkhov is keen to just control but besenio is a slippery customer.
besenio won't allow Zirkhov to pass to mount.
Zirkhov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
besenio won't allow Zirkhov to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
besenio is looking to escape.
Yuri Zirkhov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Zirkhov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and besenio defends it well.
Zirkhov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Zirkhov moves into full mount! besenio won't be happy about that!
Zirkhov controlling from mount.
besenio has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zirkhov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Zirkhov trying to control.

Zirkhov looking for the choke from the back.
Zirkhov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zirkhov tries to get the hooks in deep but besenio pushed the leg off.

Zirkhov is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and besenio taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Zirkhov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yuri Zirkhov!