PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kostya Zhuravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denis Kolesnichenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhuravlev comes into the arena with Aria - Volja i Razum blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Denis Kolesnichenko enters the cage!

Zhuravlev
vs
Kolesnichenko

162 cm
26
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kostya Zhuravlev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Kolesnichenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zhuravlev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kolesnichenko sprawls well initially but Zhuravlev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kolesnichenko controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kolesnichenko is looking to improve his position.
Zhuravlev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Zhuravlev 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.
Kolesnichenko wants to improve his position but Zhuravlev is controlling well.
Kolesnichenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kolesnichenko.
Zhuravlev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kolesnichenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kolesnichenko trying to keep a closed guard but Zhuravlev is proving a slippery customer.
Kolesnichenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zhuravlev is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuravlev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kolesnichenko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Zhuravlev throwing strikes from guard but Kolesnichenko blocks nicely.
Zhuravlev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zhuravlev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zhuravlev looking to pass the guard.
Zhuravlev cracks Kolesnichenko with a solid left hand.
Kolesnichenko is pulling down on Zhuravlev's head to control his posture.
Zhuravlev wants to pass the guard but Kolesnichenko is keeping the position.

Kolesnichenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zhuravlev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zhuravlev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kolesnichenko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Zhuravlev has Kolesnichenko in his guard.

Kolesnichenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kolesnichenko passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Zhuravlev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zhuravlev is looking for a sweep. Kolesnichenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kolesnichenko trying to control from half guard but Zhuravlev is working away.
Zhuravlev is looking for a sweep. Kolesnichenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhuravlev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Zhuravlev is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Kolesnichenko has his hands clasped together but Zhuravlev extends an breaks Kolesnichenko's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Zhuravlev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kostya Zhuravlev!
After winning the bout, Kostya Zhuravlev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.