PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roman Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Tillwick (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.

Smirnov
vs
Tillwick

200 cm
22
266 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
241 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 St Petersburg, Roman Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Raphael Tillwick!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov lands a high kick!

It looks like Raphael Tillwick has been cut.
Tillwick looks for a takedown but Smirnov sprawls well.
Tillwick fails with a takedown attempt.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown but Tillwick manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smirnov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tillwick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smirnov tries to avoid it but Tillwick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smirnov to the ground. Smirnov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roman Smirnov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raphael Tillwick.

Smirnov lands a big head kick that sends Tillwick tumbling to the mat! Smirnov takes a step backwards and waves Tillwick back to his feet - he wants the finish!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov leaves Tillwick with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tillwick fails with the takedown.
Tillwick is trying desperately to land a takedown but Smirnov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Tillwick.
Smirnov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tillwick tries to avoid it but Smirnov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tillwick to the ground. Tillwick escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smirnov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tillwick tries to close the distance and clinch but Smirnov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tillwick looks for a takedown but Smirnov sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tillwick looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smirnov is fending him off so far but Tillwick persists. Nope, Smirnov circles away and we're back to standing.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt - Tillwick sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tillwick stuffs the takedown.
Smirnov throws a sloppy head kick and Tillwick moves out of range easily.
Smirnov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tillwick. That did some damage!
Smirnov feints and then cracks Tillwick's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tillwick down.

Smirnov tries to sprawl but Tillwick drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Smirnov is breathing heavily.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smirnov tries to get to full guard but Tillwick has control of the leg.
Tillwick is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Tillwick decides to stand and escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tillwick bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tillwick decides to stand back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tillwick is defended easily by Smirnov.
Tillwick shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smirnov defends it nicely.
Smirnov tries to clinch but Tillwick moves away

and Tillwick counters with a single leg into guard. Smirnov didn't expect that.
Tillwick slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tillwick advances to full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tillwick throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Smirnov has his hands clasped together but Tillwick breaks the hold and Smirnov is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Tillwick!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Raphael Tillwick!