PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mursk Apuro (ranked 4301 p4p, 5433 weight class) and Khamzat Chimaev (ranked 469 p4p, 529 weight class). Khamzat Chimaev has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Apuro
vs
Chimaev

179 cm
18
190
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
186
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Sakura Style

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mursk Apuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Khamzat Chimaev!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chimaev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Apuro swivels and escapes.

Apuro looking to score a takedown here. Chimaev is defending well but Apuro drives through and ends up in Chimaev's guard.
Chimaev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Apuro is controlling him.
Apuro not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Apuro scoring with some ground and pound.
Chimaev keeping full guard, as Apuro tries to pass.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA London inform us that Chimaev has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Apuro connects with a couple of short punches.
Apuro is in close to Chimaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Apuro slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apuro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Chimaev thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Apuro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Chimaev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Apuro controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Apuro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chimaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Apuro has managed to get both his arms back between Chimaev's legs - danger averted.
Apuro works over Chimaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Apuro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Apuro works over Chimaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Apuro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Apuro chips away with some ground and pound.
Apuro postures up and lands a big shot to Chimaev's brow.
Apuro wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.
Apuro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Apuro chips away with some ground and pound.
Apuro works over Chimaev with some ground and pound from guard.
Apuro lands a couple of elbows.
Apuro chips away with some ground and pound.

Chimaev is rocked!
Apuro loads up on a big left hand. Chimaev felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Apuro looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Chimaev can't hide his disappointment, as Apuro celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mursk Apuro!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Mursk Apuro made sure he mentioned Sakura Style, along with how happy he was to win his fight.