PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ramazan Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Showtime might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Old Toms Hut. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Showtime
vs
Astakhov

170 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
190 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Astakhov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Astakhov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Astakhov shoots for a double leg takedown but Showtime sprawls well. He's pushed Astakhov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Showtime throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Astakhov's waist but Astakhov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Showtime off to one side.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Astakhov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Showtime pulls his leg out and moves away.
Showtime tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Astakhov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Showtime closes the distance and clinches up with Astakhov, looking for a takedown. Showtime pushes Astakhov against the cage but Astakhov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Astakhov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Showtime connects with a nice looking jab.

Showtime gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Showtime is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Astakhov can't fight it off and eventually Showtime manages to take the fight to the floor. Astakhov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astakhov looking for a guillotine here but Showtime defends easily.

Astakhov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Showtime defends it easily.
Showtime postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Showtime trying to control but Astakhov is working from the bottom.
Showtime wants to stand but Astakhov is controlling his posture from full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Astakhov can do anything to dispel that myth.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Astakhov is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Showtime swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Astakhov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Showtime's head.
Astakhov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Showtime is keeping the position for now.
Astakhov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Astakhov chips away with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astakhov throws a big right hand that misses.
Astakhov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Astakhov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime trying to control the position.
Showtime 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.
Astakhov trying to control but Showtime is working from the bottom.
Astakhov throws a big elbow that misses.
Showtime 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Astakhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Astakhov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Astakhov looking to sit in guard and control but Showtime gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Astakhov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Astakhov has his feet on Showtime's thighs here. He's pushed Showtime off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Showtime screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ramazan Astakhov!