PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mihail Dmitriev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wladimir Zaitzev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wladimir Zaitzev will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dmitriev
vs
Zaitzev

184 cm
26
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 1

188 cm
25
184 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mihail Dmitriev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wladimir Zaitzev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dmitriev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zaitzev did well to prevent Dmitriev getting side control.
Dmitriev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dmitriev is pressing down on Zaitzev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zaitzev is holding on for now.
Dmitriev has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
A nice elbow there by Dmitriev.
Zaitzev tries to reverse the position but Dmitriev maintains control.
Zaitzev manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zaitzev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Dmitriev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dmitriev trying to control from half guard but Zaitzev is working away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zaitzev looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zaitzev actively working from the bottom here.
Dmitriev trying to control from half guard but Zaitzev is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaitzev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've been hearing that Dmitriev has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Zaitzev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dmitriev slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Dmitriev is working Zaitzev over with some ground and pound from side control.
The referee asks Dmitriev politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Dmitriev prefers to stall for the moment though.
Zaitzev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dmitriev landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaitzev tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Zaitzev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Dmitriev is staying tight to Zaitzev's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dmitriev advances nicely into full mount.
Dmitriev content just to control the position here.
Zaitzev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dmitriev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dmitriev prevents Zaitzev from getting the reversal.
Dmitriev landing strikes from the mount and Zaitzev is in trouble!
Dmitriev working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Dmitriev looking to control and managing it successfully.
Dmitriev prevents Zaitzev from getting the reversal.
Zaitzev is still trying to improve position.
Zaitzev looks winded!
Dmitriev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaitzev tries to hold on but Dmitriev postures up.
Dmitriev tries to control but Zaitzev wriggling away.
Dmitriev with shots to the head and body - Zaitzev looks very uncomfortable down there.
Dmitriev scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zaitzev?

Zaitzev has left one of his arms exposed and Dmitriev doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Zaitzev screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mihail Dmitriev!
Mihail Dmitriev is the new middleweight champion!