PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Khalidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Rasskazov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mamed Khalidov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Khalidov
vs
Rasskazov

182 cm
25
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mamed Khalidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Rasskazov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khalidov with a poor takedown
and Rasskazov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Khalidov has his takedown stuffed

and Rasskazov counters by clinching up.
Rasskazov gets underhooks to prevent Khalidov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mamed Khalidov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rasskazov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rasskazov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Khalidov 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.
Khalidov won't allow Rasskazov to get back to his feet.
Rasskazov has his hands on Khalidov's head, controlling the position.
Khalidov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasskazov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasskazov wants to sweep but no luck.
Rasskazov looking to control.
Khalidov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rasskazov wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Khalidov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rasskazov trying to control here.

Rasskazov is defending against the submission attempts here by Khalidov.
Rasskazov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khalidov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Khalidov wants to work for an arm triangle but Rasskazov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasskazov gets back to full guard.
Khalidov stopping the sweep attempt from Rasskazov.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rasskazov holds on and takes a little breather.
Rasskazov is trying to keep Khalidov in close.
Khalidov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Khalidov stops Rasskazov from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ivan Rasskazov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Khalidov misses with a takedown attempt

and Rasskazov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rasskazov stopping the sweep attempt from Khalidov.
Rasskazov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rasskazov looks winded!

Khalidov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rasskazov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Khalidov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rasskazov is aware though and is defending well.
Rasskazov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rasskazov is looking to work some ground and pound but Khalidov has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rasskazov is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Khalidov has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Rasskazov is looking to defend but Khalidov has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Rasskazov! Khalidov pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Rasskazov taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Mamed Khalidov!