PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Barba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timur Rudov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Barba has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barba
vs
Rudov

188 cm
30
203 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

196 cm
27
216 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Barba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timur Rudov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rudov.
Rudov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barba finds it's way round the side to connect with Rudov's head.
Barba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A shot to the liver by Barba. Beautiful body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rudov is defended easily by Barba.
Rudov works the jab nicely.
Rudov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Barba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Frank Barba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Rudov.
Well, if Barba is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barba missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rudov gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rudov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barba manages to get himself to full guard.
Barba keeping full guard, as Rudov tries to pass.
Rudov wanted to stand there but Barba had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rudov stands and throws Barba's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barba wants to get back to his feet but Rudov drags him back down.
Barba gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rudov prevents Barba from standing back up.
Rudov thows a huge punch but Barba dodges it nicely.

Rudov seems to be working for a kimura but Barba defends the submission attempt.
Barba trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rudov prevents Barba from standing back up.
Barba trying to control here.
Rudov throws a strike but Barba avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Barba keeping full guard, as Rudov tries to pass.
Rudov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Barba manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Barba stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Barba - just one landing.
Barba cracks Rudov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rudov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Barba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rudov with a poor takedown
and Barba counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rudov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barba swivels and escapes.
Barba's corner calls for a 1-2. Barba obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Timur Rudov has been cut.
Rudov finds himself stumbling back on wobbly legs after being clipped by a right hand. He's up against the cage, ducking and weaving under Barba's strikes but an uppercut finds it's way through and Rudov falls! - He's completely out of it and the ref jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Frank Barba!