PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Russo (ranked 6595 p4p, 0 weight class) and Desimir Jankovi (ranked 5132 p4p, 0 weight class). Desimir Jankovi will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Russo
vs
Jankovi

203 cm
24
178 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joe Russo!
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, Desimir Jankovi !
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jankovi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Russo slips a jab and a cross from Jankovi .
Russo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jankovi misses with a combination

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Russo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jankovi looks winded!
Nice strikes from Russo there.
Jankovi taking some punishment here, with Russo in his half guard.
Jankovi has hold of Russo's hands but Russo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jankovi is trying to stand.
Russo lands strikes from half guard.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
Russo 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.
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!

Russo decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Jankovi tries to sprawl but Russo drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jankovi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Russo winds up and cracks Jankovi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Russo.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
Russo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Russo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Russo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Russo.
Jankovi is trying to stand back up but Russo is controlling him
Ground and pound from Russo.
Russo lands strikes from half guard.
Russo working over Jankovi with some ground and pound. Jankovi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Jankovi is defending against the submission attempts here by Russo.
Russo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo working Jankovi over with strikes.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Russo stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Jankovi to get to his feet.

Russo gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russo manages to pull guard.
Jankovi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Russo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Russo controlling the position.

Russo kicks Jankovi off and gets to his feet.

Russo has closed the distance and engaged Jankovi in a clinch.
Russo tries to pull guard but Jankovi holds him up against the cage and eventually Russo drops back down to his feet.
Russo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jankovi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Russo wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Russo successfully pulls guard.
Jankovi wants to stand but Russo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Jankovi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Russo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russo clinches up with Jankovi and pushes him back against the cage.

Russo gets control of Jankovi 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Russo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Russo has his feet on Jankovi 's thighs here. He's pushed Jankovi 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! Jankovi screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Russo!