PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Anufriev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blitz Crank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blitz Crank told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Anufriev
vs
Crank

183 cm
29
235 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

200 cm
30
280 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Maksim Anufriev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Blitz Crank!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crank shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Crank showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Anufriev looking for submissions off his back.
Crank trying to control from half guard but Anufriev is working away.
Crank looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Anufriev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Anufriev looking for submissions off his back.

Anufriev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crank pulls his head out easily.

Anufriev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anufriev looking for submissions off his back.

Anufriev looking for submissions off his back.
Anufriev is breathing heavily.
Crank works his way into side control.
Crank controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anufriev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Crank wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anufriev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Crank's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Crank looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Crank wants to lay and pray for a moment but Anufriev keeps working.

Anufriev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Anufriev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Crank prevents Anufriev from improving his position.

Anufriev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Anufriev is staying active underneath Crank, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crank trying to control the pace.
Anufriev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Crank's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Crank's back!
Crank tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Crank tries to hold on but Anufriev postures up.
Crank can't escape the position.

Anufriev is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Crank to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Crank shrugs it off.

Anufriev is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Crank has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Crank!
Crank is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Anufriev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Crank defends well.
Crank controlling from the top position.
Crank trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Anufriev is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Crank has his hands clasped together but Anufriev extends an breaks Crank's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Anufriev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Maksim Anufriev!