PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and War Burton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Smirnov
vs
Burton

168 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Smirnov!
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, War Burton!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burton throws a hook but Smirnov blocks it.
Burton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smirnov was well out of range. Poor timing from Burton.
Smirnov with a poor takedown
and Burton counters with a left to the body.
Burton digs a good hook to Smirnov's body.
Burton fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smirnov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Burton misses with a body shot.
Burton lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Burton throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smirnov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Burton lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burton thows a body shot but no joy.
Burton is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Smirnov rather than just go for the knockout.
Burton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Burton thows a body shot but no joy.
Burton just misses with a punch to the body.
Burton lands with a good body shot.

Burton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Smirnov was covering up waiting for the punch and Burton finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Smirnov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Burton can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Smirnov is looking for a triangle but Burton pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smirnov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Smirnov looking for a guillotine here but Burton defends easily.
Smirnov is breathing heavily.
Burton postures up and lands a big shot to Smirnov's brow.
Burton trying to control but Smirnov is working from the bottom.
Smirnov trying to keep a closed guard but Burton is proving a slippery customer.
Burton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smirnov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov keeping moving, preventing Burton from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Burton's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Smirnov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Burton is aware though and is defending well.
Burton trying to control the position from guard on top but Smirnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Burton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smirnov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Burton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Burton is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Burton won't allow Smirnov to sweep him here.

Smirnov looking for a guillotine here but Burton defends easily.
Burton won't allow Smirnov to sweep him here.
Burton must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burton wants to pass the guard but Smirnov is keeping the position.
Burton wants to control from the top but Smirnov keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smirnov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Burton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Burton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Burton wants to control from the top but Smirnov keeps moving.
Burton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smirnov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but War Burton will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Burton scores a takedown into full mount!
Smirnov is looking to get to half guard.
Smirnov is working hard here to advance position.
Burton working Smirnov over with strikes here.
Smirnov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Burton lands a nice short elbow.
Smirnov gets back to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Burton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burton scoring with some ground and pound.

Smirnov is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Burton frees his head nicely. Oh but Smirnov has switched to an armbar! Burton is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Aleksander Smirnov!