PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Kuklinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serj Tankyan (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.

Kuklinski
vs
Tankyan

195 cm
21
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
20
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Richard Kuklinski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Serj Tankyan!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuklinski's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kuklinski duly obliges.
Tankyan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tankyan tries to clinch there but Kuklinski circles away.
Tankyan fails with the takedown.

Kuklinski bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tankyan striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Tankyan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuklinski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tankyan is looking to reverse the position.
Tankyan is being controlled here.
Tankyan tries to improve position but can't.
Kuklinski landing a few strikes.
Tankyan is looking for a sweep.
Kuklinski is looking to take a break and control but Tankyan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kuklinski scoring with punches and elbows.
Tankyan regains half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Kuklinski prevents Tankyan from improving his position.
Tankyan misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Tankyan looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuklinski with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kuklinski lands strikes from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuklinski is tying to control. Tankyan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tankyan is pressing down on Kuklinski's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kuklinski seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tankyan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuklinski.
Kuklinski trying to control the position from guard on top but Tankyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuklinski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tankyan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuklinski could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Tankyan keeping moving, preventing Kuklinski from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kuklinski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kuklinski won't allow Tankyan to sweep him here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kuklinski fails with the takedown

and Tankyan counters with a single leg into guard. Kuklinski didn't expect that.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kuklinski is on top in guard.
Tankyan striking from the bottom here.
Tankyan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuklinski postures up.
Kuklinski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tankyan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Kuklinski won't allow Tankyan to sweep him here.
Tankyan wants to stand and escape but Kuklinski is having none of it.
Tankyan wants to sweep here but Kuklinski controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tankyan forces Kuklinski back against the cage and clinches.
Tankyan can't get the takedown.

Tankyan breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Kuklinski as Tankyan shoots in.
Richard Kuklinski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serj Tankyan.
Tankyan throws a series of strikes that have Kuklinski backpedaling.

Kuklinski is rocked!
Tankyan swinging wilding here.
Oh Kuklinski is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tankyan closes the distance and lands a brutal uppercut that knocks Kuklinski out! We're looking at the replay now - he was out before he hit the floor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Serj Tankyan!