PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Khaibulaev (ranked 6097 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stroev (ranked 4932 p4p, 0 weight class). Victor Stroev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Khaibulaev
vs
Stroev

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Khaibulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Stroev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khaibulaev tries a head kick but it misses.

Stroev moves into the clinch successfully.
Stroev is looking for a takedown.
Stroev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Stroev slows down the pace here.
Khaibulaev is trying to break the clinch but Stroev is controlling him.

Stroev gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Khaibulaev has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Stroev is on him like a limpet, forcing Khaibulaev back against the cage.
Khaibulaev working hard to break the clinch.

Stroev is fighting off a takedown attempt but Khaibulaev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Stroev to the mat. Stroev regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stroev keeping moving, preventing Khaibulaev from controlling successfully.
Khaibulaev scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaibulaev pushes down on Stroev's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Khaibulaev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Khaibulaev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stroev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Khaibulaev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Khaibulaev lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khaibulaev trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stroev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Khaibulaev is working away from the top position though.
Stroev wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stroev wants to sweep but Khaibulaev has passed to side control!
Khaibulaev misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khaibulaev is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Stroev is trying to escape and Khaibulaev transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Stroev is forced to tap! Nice work there by Khaibulaev! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Magomed Khaibulaev!