PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cheick Kongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erlan Baltabekov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kongo has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Kongo
vs
Baltabekov

193 cm
25
244 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
240 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Cheick Kongo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Erlan Baltabekov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kongo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baltabekov fails with the takedown

and Kongo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kongo.
Kongo working some strikes from top position.
Kongo lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kongois looking to pass into half guard but Baltabekov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Baltabekov is in guard.
Baltabekov trying to control but Kongo is working from the bottom.

Baltabekov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kongo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Baltabekov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kongo tries to sprawl out of it but Baltabekov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kongo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Baltabekov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kongo pinned against the cage. Kongo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cheick Kongo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erlan Baltabekov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Baltabekov.

Baltabekov is trying to get an arm triangle but Kongo is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baltabekov looks gassed!
Kongo is looking to reverse the position.
Kongo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kongo is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltabekov taking a breather here.
It looks like Baltabekov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Baltabekov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
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!
Baltabekov working the ground and pound but Kongo is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kongo looking for a sweep but Baltabekov has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Baltabekov trying to control but Kongo is having none of it.
Baltabekov landing strikes from the mount.
Baltabekov looking to finish Kongo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kongo!
Baltabekov cracks Kongo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Baltabekov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltabekov looking to control but Kongo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Baltabekov swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Erlan Baltabekov!