PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Amir Halilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tank Abobo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Halilov
vs
Abobo

191 cm
25
218 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Amir Halilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tank Abobo!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Abobo changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Halilov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Abobo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Halilov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Abobo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Abobo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Abobo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Halilov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Abobo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Halilov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Abobo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abobo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Halilov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Abobo swings around for an armbar but Halilov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Abobo's guard.
Halilov looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Halilov stands and throws Abobo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Halilov trying to control the position but Abobo is working away.
Abobo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Halilov's best efforts.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.

Halilov seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abobo tries to get to full guard but Halilov has control of the leg.

Halilov is trying to work for a kimura but Abobo is defending well.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abobo keeps working.

Halilov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halilov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Halilov is looking to take a break and control but Abobo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.
Halilov prevents Abobo from improving his position.
Halilov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Halilov is pressing down on Abobo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Abobo is holding on for now.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Abobo taking some punishment here, with Halilov in his half guard.
Abobo is refusing to be controlled, as Halilov sits in half guard.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.
Abobo looks gassed!

Halilov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Abobo sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Halilov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Abobo is just riding it out for now. Halilov eventually gives up the hold.
Halilov is keen to just control but Abobo is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Abobo dominated that round.
That's time! Halilov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Halilov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Abobo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Halilov won't be happy with that.

Abobo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Abobo goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Halilov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Abobo's guard! Nice work there by Halilov!

Abobo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Halilov defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abobo being controlled here, momentarily.
Halilov trying to control but Abobo is working from the bottom.

Abobo has an active guard here but Halilov has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Abobo is breathing heavily.
Halilov trying to control from half guard but Abobo is working away.
Abobo tries to roll over but Halilov keeps him under control.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abobo keeps working.
Halilov wants to stand up but Abobo is controlling the position.
Halilov is looking to take a break and control but Abobo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Halilov is trying to work for a kimura but Abobo is defending well.
Halilov wants to control but Abobo is keeping him busy.

Halilov is looking for a kimura but Abobo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Halilov to get the leverage.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Halilov wants to pass to mount but Abobo is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halilov is looking to take a break and control but Abobo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Halilov wants to work for an arm triangle but Abobo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Abobo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Abobo is trying to get back to full guard.

Abobo looking for submissions off his back.

Abobo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Abobo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.
Halilov is trying to control. Abobo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Abobo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Halilov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Abobo defending well though.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abobo keeps working.

Abobo looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Halilov pushes past his half guard into mount!
Halilov wants to control the pace but Abobo is squirming around nicely.
Halilov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Abobo is looking to get to half guard.

Halilov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Abobo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tank Abobo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Halilov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Abobo counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Abobo has gone for a leg lock! Halilov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Abobo's guard.
Abobo wants to sweep but no luck.
Halilov throwing strikes but missing.

Abobo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Abobo is looking for a triangle but Halilov pushes his legs off easily.
Halilov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Halilov trying to control but Abobo is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abobo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Halilov trying to control the position from guard on top but Abobo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Abobo is looking for a triangle here but Halilov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Halilov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Abobo, who protects the arm well.
Halilov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The strikes coming from Halilov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Abobo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Halilov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abobo keeps working.
Abobo is trying to get back to full guard.
Abobo is staying active underneath Halilov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Halilov trying to mount his opponent but Abobo defends it.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.
Abobo is refusing to be controlled, as Halilov sits in half guard.
Abobo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Halilov.
Halilov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Halilov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Abobo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abobo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Halilov pulls his head out easily.

Abobo looking for submissions off his back.

Abobo actively working from the bottom here.
Abobo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Halilov.

Halilov is looking for a kimura but Abobo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Halilov to get the leverage.
Halilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abobo keeps working.

Abobo is defending against the submission attempts here by Halilov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Abobo has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Halilov. Oh but Abobo has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Halilov goes limp - he's gone! Abobo jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Tank Abobo!