PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rahkim Abdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Vasilyevich (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.

Abdullah
vs
Vasilyevich

190 cm
34
198 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

183 cm
35
196 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rahkim Abdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Vasilyevich!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Columbo Gatti and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilyevich waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Abdullah.

Abdullah drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abdullah postures up in Vasilyevich's guard and throws a big left but Vasilyevich blocks it.
Abdullah pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasilyevich is keeping the position for now.
Abdullah missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Abdullah throws a big right hand that misses.
Abdullah lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Vasilyevich lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Abdullah is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Abdullah missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Abdullah looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdullah working over Vasilyevich with some ground and pound. Vasilyevich looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Abdullah is looking to advance position but Vasilyevich won't allow it.
Abdullah sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vasilyevich defending well though.
Vasilyevich is looking for a sweep. Abdullah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vasilyevich blocking the ground and pound attempt from Abdullah.
Abdullah is trying to control. Vasilyevich wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Vasilyevich looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abdullah wants to control but Vasilyevich is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Abdullah throwing shots but Vasilyevich is blocking nicely.

Abdullah seems to be working for a kimura but Vasilyevich defends the submission attempt.
Abdullah controlling the pace.
Vasilyevich tries to roll over but Abdullah keeps him under control.
Abdullah working over Vasilyevich with some ground and pound. Vasilyevich looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Abdullah thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vasilyevich's head.
Vasilyevich avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Abdullah.
Vasilyevich regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Vasilyevich's head.
Abdullah scoring with punches to the head and body.
Abdullah wants to control from the top but Vasilyevich keeps moving.
Abdullah cracks Vasilyevich with a solid left hand.

Abdullah content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Vasilyevich has locked up a guillotine! Vasilyevich's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Abdullah is holding on here and Vasilyevich must be using up a lot of energy. Abdullah has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Vasilyevich gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Ivan Vasilyevich!
An intense looking Ivan Vasilyevich took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Id like to thank the fans and my sponsors, my opponent put up a hell of a fight but confidence was the key.'.