PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Arkwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Zajcev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kyle Arkwright has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Arkwright
vs
Zajcev

175 cm
25
167 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kyle Arkwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Adam Zajcev!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arkwright shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zajcev sprawls well. Zajcev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arkwright gets slowly back to his feet.

Arkwright fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zajcev, pushing him back against the cage.
Arkwright has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Zajcev has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Arkwright is trying to keep an underhook but Zajcev manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Arkwright has one foot on Zajcev's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Arkwright tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zajcev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zajcev's coach down at Barbell Brigade was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zajcev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Zajcev misses with a takedown attempt - Arkwright sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Arkwright moves in looking to clinch but Zajcev pushes him off.
Arkwright tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zajcev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Arkwright shoots in but no luck this time.
Zajcev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zajcev with a poor takedown
and Arkwright counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've been hearing reports that Arkwright has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zajcev.
Kyle Arkwright has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Zajcev.
Arkwright slaps away a takedown attempt from Zajcev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkwright is looking to clinch.
Arkwright fails in his attempt to clinch.

Arkwright drives through with a takedown into Zajcev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arkwright cracks Zajcev with a solid left hand.

Zajcev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Arkwright uses it to pass to side control.
Zajcev tries to bench press Arkwright off him but Arkwright keeps the position.
Arkwright working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Arkwright tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Arkwright working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Zajcev throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Arkwright gets to mount! Zajcev was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajcev is looking to get to half guard.
Zajcev taking shots to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Arkwright working for a submission but Zajcev is keeping him at bay.
Zajcev is looking to improve his position but Arkwright isn't that keen on the idea.

Arkwright has control of Zajcev's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Zajcev regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zajcev is looking to get to half guard.
Arkwright lands a big shot there that rocks Zajcev but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajcev is working to get back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zajcev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zajcev is still trying to improve position.
Zajcev is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Zajcev tries to reverse the position but Arkwright maintains control.
Arkwright tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Arkwright fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Zajcev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zajcev wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arkwright trying to control but Zajcev is having none of it.
Arkwright is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zajcev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Zajcev is rocked!
Arkwright prevents Zajcev from getting the reversal.
Zajcev keeps trying to improve his position.
A big strike lands for Arkwright! That's really hurt Zajcev and he's turned his back - Arkwright keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Arkwright jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kyle Arkwright!