PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aliosa Saltykov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lev Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saltykov
vs
Kuznetsov

185 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

172 cm
19
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aliosa Saltykov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lev Kuznetsov !
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saltykov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov tries to sprawl out of it but Saltykov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuznetsov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuznetsov stuffs the takedown attempt from Saltykov. Saltykov gets slowly back to his feet.

Kuznetsov clinches with his opponent.
Saltykov can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aliosa Saltykov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saltykov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuznetsov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saltykov fails to pull guard.

Kuznetsov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov stuffs the takedown.

Kuznetsov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Saltykov sprawls well initially but Kuznetsov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kuznetsov is nestled in close to Saltykov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kuznetsov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Saltykov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saltykov is working hard here to advance position.
Kuznetsov controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Kuznetsov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saltykov is looking for a sweep. Kuznetsov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saltykov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Saltykov is trying to stand.

Kuznetsov is looking for a kimura but Saltykov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuznetsov to get the leverage.
Kuznetsov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saltykov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kuznetsov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuznetsov lands in his opponent's guard.

Saltykov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saltykov trying to keep a closed guard but Kuznetsov is proving a slippery customer.

Saltykov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saltykov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Saltykov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kuznetsov trying to control but Saltykov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuznetsov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Saltykov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saltykov is trying to control the position but Kuznetsov postures up.

Saltykov has his foot on Kuznetsov 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznetsov works his way back into a safe position though.
Saltykov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kuznetsov postures up.
Saltykov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kuznetsov controls the pace.

Kuznetsov has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Saltykov to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Kuznetsov is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Saltykov pulls down on the head and he's put Kuznetsov to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Aliosa Saltykov!