PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Kolev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Romanov (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.

Kolev
vs
Romanov

176 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nikola Kolev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Romanov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kolev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kolev lands in his opponent's guard.
Romanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Kolev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kolev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Romanov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Romanov is looking for a triangle but Kolev pushes his legs off easily.
Romanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kolev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Romanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kolev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Kolev from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kolev stands up and waves to Romanov to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Romanov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Romanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Romanov looks gassed!
Kolev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kolev landing with the ground and pound.
Kolev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kolev is stalling in the full guard.
Kolev landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kolev gets to his feet. Romanov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kolev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kolev lands in his opponent's guard.
Kolev is in close to Romanov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kolev makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kolev lands a couple of digs.

Kolev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kolev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kolev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kolev fails with a takedown attempt.

Kolev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kolev has Romanov pressed against the cage, preventing Romanov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Romanov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kolev scores a nice knee to the body.

Kolev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kolev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kolev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Romanov trying to hold on to Kolev's head to control him but Kolev postures up.
Kolev moves into full mount! Romanov won't be happy about that!
Romanov tries to reverse the position but Kolev maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kolev working for a submission but Romanov is keeping him at bay.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kolev lands with some strikes.
Kolev tries to control but Romanov wriggling away.

Kolev is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Romanov is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Romanov flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Kolev anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Romanov and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Kolev slips an arm under Romanov chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Kolev has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Kolev is squeezing on Romanov like an anaconda would it's prey. Romanov fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Nikola Kolev!
Nikola Kolev was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.