PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Popek Rak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirza Armbarovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Rak
vs
Armbarovic

180 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Popek Rak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mirza Armbarovic!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rak looking to score a takedown here. Armbarovic is defending well but Rak drives through and ends up in Armbarovic's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rak passes Armbarovic's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Rak 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.

Armbarovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Rak.
Armbarovic wants to improve his position but Rak is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rak is looking for a kimura here.

Rak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Armbarovic is just riding it out for now. Rak eventually gives up the hold.

Rak seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rak wants to work for an arm triangle but Armbarovic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rak is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Armbarovic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Armbarovic.

Rak drops back, looking for a kneebar! Armbarovic looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Armbarovic looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Armbarovic!
Armbarovic scoring with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Armbarovic working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armbarovic in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Armbarovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rak. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rak throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Rak taking a bit of punishment here - Armbarovic scoring with strikes.
Armbarovic is working Rak over with some ground and pound from side control.
Rak regains half guard.
Rak slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Rak working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Armbarovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Armbarovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Armbarovic landing with the ground and pound.
Armbarovic works over Rak with some ground and pound from guard.
Armbarovic connects with a couple of short punches.
Rak bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armbarovic's guard.
Armbarovic wants to sweep but no luck.
Rak wants to pass the guard but Armbarovic is keeping the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Rak's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rak advances position into side control!
Armbarovic tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Armbarovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Rak swings around for an armbar but Armbarovic sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rak's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rak bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armbarovic's guard.
Rak pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Armbarovic is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Popek Rak will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Armbarovic closes the distance and clinches up with Rak, looking for a takedown. Armbarovic pushes Rak against the ropes but Rak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rak fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Armbarovic to the ground. Rak is now in Armbarovic's guard.
Rak is pushing down on Armbarovic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Armbarovic is fighting to maintain full guard but Rak has managed to sneak the leg through.
Armbarovic trying to control but Rak postures up.

Armbarovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Rak.
Rak has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Rak goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Armbarovic turns into him and now he's in Rak's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armbarovic preventing the sweep.
Armbarovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Rak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Armbarovic is looking to advance position but Rak has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rak goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Armbarovic turns into him and now he's in Rak's guard.
Armbarovic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rak bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armbarovic's guard.
Rak tries to free his leg and advance position but Armbarovic is retaining full guard.
Armbarovic 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.
Rak tries to free his leg and advance position but Armbarovic is retaining full guard.
Rak passes Armbarovic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Rak seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Armbarovic is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Popek Rak!