PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rory Kirkpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Habil Bictashev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kirkpatrick
vs
Bictashev

185 cm
24
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

173 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Atlantis

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rory Kirkpatrick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Habil Bictashev!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirkpatrick moves out of range as Bictashev throws a body kick.
Bictashev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kirkpatrick can pounce on him.

Bictashev dives in and scores a takedown into Kirkpatrick's guard.
Kirkpatrick looking for a sweep. Not yet Kirkpatrick, not yet.

Kirkpatrick is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kirkpatrick throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Kirkpatrick has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bictashev advances to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kirkpatrick looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kirkpatrick slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bictashev got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kirkpatrick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bictashev has managed to get both his arms back between Kirkpatrick's legs - danger averted.
Kirkpatrick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bictashev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bictashev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kirkpatrick. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkpatrick keeping moving, preventing Bictashev from controlling successfully.

Kirkpatrick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bictashev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bictashev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kirkpatrick working a defensive guard here.
Kirkpatrick is really struggling to control Bictashev but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kirkpatrick has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rory Kirkpatrick!
Rory Kirkpatrick really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Atlantis logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.