PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rulon Oboev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Graveyard Ghost (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Oboev comes into the arena with Chernie glaza blaring out of the sound system. Ghost comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Howlin Wolf- Smokestack Lightening kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Oboev
vs
Ghost

186 cm
26
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rulon Oboev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Graveyard Ghost!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oboev throws a nice looking combination but Ghost bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ghost slips a straight right by Oboev.

Oboev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ghost's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oboev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ghost looking for a guillotine here but Oboev defends easily.
Oboev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ghost on the ground.

Ghost is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Oboev connects with a couple of short punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oboev postures up in Ghost's guard and throws a big left but Ghost blocks it.
Oboev throws a big right hand that misses.
Ghost looking to hit a scissor sweep but Oboev is one step ahead there.

Ghost is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Oboev is aware though and is defending well.
Oboev postures up and lands a big shot to Ghost's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oboev preventing the sweep.

Ghost looking for a guillotine here but Oboev defends easily.

Ghost looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ghost is trying to keep Oboev in close.
Oboev preventing the sweep.
Oboev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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

Ghost throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Oboev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Oboev throws an elbow that misses. Ghost uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Oboev's guard. Nice move by Ghost!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghost controlling from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ghost drops back, looking for a kneebar! Oboev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Oboev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Oboev!
Oboev landing strikes.
Oboev scoring with punches and elbows.
Oboev cracks Ghost with a big elbow.

Ghost is rocked!
Oboev lands an elbow.
Ghost is still in real trouble! Can Oboev finish him?
Ghost regains half guard.
Ghost is looking to improve his position.
Oboev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ghost is trying to get back to full guard.
Ghost seems to have recovered his senses.
Oboev trying to mount his opponent but Ghost defends it.
Oboev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghost is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Oboev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Oboev's back!

Ghost is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Oboev knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Oboev for a finish.

Oboev is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Oboev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ghost's guard. Nice work there by Oboev.

Ghost is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Oboev defends well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ghost preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Oboev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oboev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Oboev with a flurry of punches that miss.

Ghost is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Oboev defends well.
Oboev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ghost's guard.
Oboev looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Oboev throwing shots but Ghost is blocking nicely.

Ghost actively working from the bottom here.

Ghost looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ghost wants to get back to full guard.
Ghost regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Oboev.
Oboev working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Graveyard Ghost will probably get the nod.
That's time! Oboev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Oboev jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Oboev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ghost's half guard.
Ghost has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Oboev is working away from the top position though.
Oboev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ghost regains full guard. Nicely done.
Oboev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Oboev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Oboev is working Ghost over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Oboev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Oboev throwing strikes but missing.
We've been informed that Ghost has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Oboev connects with a couple of short punches.

Ghost isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Oboev stacks Ghost on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Oboev!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oboev is trying to ground and pound but Ghost uses the momentary lack of control by Oboev to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oboev is nestled in close to Ghost, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Ghost is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Oboev pulls his head out easily.
Oboev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Ghost looking for submissions off his back.
Ghost tries to roll over but Oboev keeps him under control.
Oboev is nestled in close to Ghost, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Ghost actively working from the bottom here.
Ghost gets full guard.
Oboev throws a big right hand that misses.
Rulon Oboev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Oboev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ghost is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Oboev, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oboev keeping full guard, as Ghost tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghost trying to control but Oboev is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oboev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Oboev keeping full guard, as Ghost tries to pass.

Ghost is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Oboev trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Ghost wants to control from the top but Oboev keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oboev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ghost stands and throws Oboev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Oboev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ghost's best efforts.
Oboev is looking to control Ghost's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Oboev avoid being mounted?

Ghost 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.
Oboev misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oboev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Oboev tries to get to full guard but Ghost has control of the leg.
Oboev manages to get to full guard.
Oboev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ghost controls the pace.
Oboev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ghost trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Oboev manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghost is trying to control the position but Oboev postures up.
Oboev connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Oboev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ghost closes this distance looking for a takedown but Oboev circles away.
Ghost swats away the attempt to clinch by Oboev.
Oboev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Oboev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ghost did well to prevent Oboev getting side control.
Oboev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ghost has hold of Oboev's hands but Oboev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Oboev lands with a punch from half guard.
Ghost avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Oboev.
Oboev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Oboev throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ghost to regain full guard.
Oboev throws a strike but Ghost rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghost trying to control but Oboev is working from the bottom.
Oboev working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghost looking to pass the guard.
Oboev keeping moving, preventing Ghost from controlling successfully.
Ghost might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Oboev haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ghost looking to pass the guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Graveyard Ghost hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Oboev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ghost is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Oboev off and has taken his back!

Oboev is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oboev won't enjoy being in this position. Ghost looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Oboev is tapping - it's over boys! Ghost picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Graveyard Ghost!
A relieved looking Graveyard Ghost thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.