PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Bakharev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Gauthier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bakharev's entrance music is Hatebreed - Live For This. A fine choice. Nick Gauthier has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Alexey Bakharev's chin.

Bakharev
vs
Gauthier

161 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Final Strike Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Bakharev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Gauthier!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gauthier gets the takedown into side control.
Gauthier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bakharev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gauthier scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bakharev to see if he's OK.
An elbow from Gauthier crashes against the mat.
Bakharev defending against the ground and pound.
Gauthier working the body and head with strikes.
Bakharev is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Gauthier works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bakharev taking a bit of punishment here - Gauthier scoring with strikes.
Bakharev gets back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Gauthier.

Bakharev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bakharev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bakharev is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gauthier working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gauthier tries to stand but can't do so whilst Bakharev controls his leg.
Gauthier working over Bakharev with some ground and pound. Bakharev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gauthier throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gauthier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bakharev defending well though.
Gauthier is nestled in close to Bakharev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gauthier wants to stand but Bakharev has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Bakharev gets full guard.
Bakharev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bakharev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gauthier is looking for a sweep. Bakharev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakharev moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Gauthier.
Bakharev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gauthier is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gauthier tries to bench press Bakharev off him but Bakharev keeps the position.
Bakharev tries to move to mount but Gauthier blocks the move with his legs.
Gauthier misses with a strike from the bottom.
Gauthier is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bakharev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gauthier looks gassed!
Bakharev is looking to advance position but Gauthier won't allow it.
Gauthier wants to get back to his feet.
Bakharev passes to full mount!

Bakharev quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Bakharev but it's paid off an Gauthier is forced to tap! Nice work by Bakharev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alexey Bakharev!