PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ramus Arthanier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arthanier comes to the cage accompanied by P.O.D. - Boom. Rakhmanov has chosen Russian national anthem as his entrance music. Mikhail Rakhmanov has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Arthanier
vs
Rakhmanov

185 cm
25
188 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

179 cm
26
190 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ramus Arthanier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakhmanov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Arthanier.
Rakhmanov tries to clinch but Arthanier is having none of it.
Rakhmanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Arthanier has time to react.
Rakhmanov lands a slapping body shot.
Arthanier gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Arthanier lands with a straight right. Rakhmanov didn't see that one coming.
Rakhmanov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rakhmanov takes one to the side of the head.
Nice cross by Arthanier.
Arthanier misses with a body kick.
Rakhmanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Arthanier.
Arthanier pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arthanier connects with a solid leg kick.
Rakhmanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Arthanier tries to avoid it but Rakhmanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Arthanier to the ground. Arthanier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've been informed that Rakhmanov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rakhmanov. Arthanier does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rakhmanov throws a nice looking combination but Arthanier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheers as Arthanier lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rakhmanov doesn't seem phased though.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakhmanov.
Arthanier sizes up Rakhmanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A clash of legs there as Rakhmanov blocks the low kick.
Rakhmanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ramus Arthanier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov shoots in and drives through. Arthanier sprawls well.
Arthanier keeps the fight on the outside.
Arthanier misses the jab.
Rakhmanov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
We've been told by Arthanier's head coaches at Hunter's hideout that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rakhmanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arthanier.
Rakhmanov misses with a straight left.
Rakhmanov has a takedown stuffed.
Arthanier lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arthanier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch combination from Arthanier misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Arthanier.
Rakhmanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Arthanier sprawls well. Arthanier wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rakhmanov gets slowly back to his feet.

Arthanier closes the distance and clinches.
Arthanier lands a body punch.
Rakhmanov stalling.
Rakhmanov tries to throw a body punch but Arthanier avoids it by throwing Rakhmanov back against the cage.
Rakhmanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Arthanier tries to work over Rakhmanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arthanier on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Arthanier breaks the clinch.
Rakhmanov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arthanier jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Arthanier moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A lazy left from Rakhmanov finds it's target.
Arthanier is looking to chop away at Rakhmanov's legs.
Ramus Arthanier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arthanier is looking to land body kicks.
Rakhmanov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Arthanier lands a jab to the nose.
Arthanier feints and then cracks Rakhmanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rakhmanov down.

Arthanier has taken the fight to the clinch.
Arthanier works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Arthanier lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Arthanier digs a right hand into Rakhmanov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rakhmanov's gas tank.
A shot in the inside from Arthanier.
Rakhmanov letting Arthanier take a breather here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rakhmanov tightens his grip and picks Arthanier up, before dumping him to the ground. Arthanier manages to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rakhmanov connects with a couple of short punches.
Arthanier keeping full guard, as Rakhmanov tries to pass.
Rakhmanov preventing the sweep.
Arthanier is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rakhmanov is controlling him.
Arthanier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rakhmanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Arthanier has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rakhmanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rakhmanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rakhmanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arthanier is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
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 Ramus Arthanier will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rakhmanov cracks the inside of Arthanier's front leg.
Rakhmanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rakhmanov checks the leg kick.
Rakhmanov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rakhmanov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Arthanier scores with a push kick.
Rakhmanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Arthanier swivels and escapes.
Arthanier scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The fighters circling - Arthanier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Arthanier connects with a nice looking jab.
Arthanier misses with an uppercut.
Rakhmanov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Arthanier throws a leg kick that misses.
Arthanier throws a right hand that misses

and Rakhmanov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arthanier makes his way to full guard, as Rakhmanov worked for a kimura.
Arthanier is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakhmanov preventing the sweep.
Rakhmanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Arthanier keeping full guard, as Rakhmanov tries to pass.
Arthanier preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rakhmanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Arthanier wants to sweep but no luck.
Rakhmanov postures up in Arthanier's guard and throws a big left but Arthanier blocks it.
Mikhail Rakhmanov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arthanier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Arthanier is working hard here to advance position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rakhmanov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Arthanier is looking to stand up but Rakhmanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Rakhmanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
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!
Rakhmanov scoring with some ground and pound.
Rakhmanov distracts Arthanier with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rakhmanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rakhmanov passes Arthanier's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ground and pound from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov wants to control the pace but Arthanier is squirming around nicely.
Rakhmanov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rakhmanov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
A nice elbow there by Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rakhmanov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Rakhmanov with a couple of short strikes.
Arthanier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rakhmanov lands a couple of good shots and Arthanier has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rakhmanov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Rakhmanov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Arthanier could be in trouble here!

Arthanier is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov is raining down hard shots and and Arthanier has had enough - he's tapped out due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Mikhail Rakhmanov!
Mikhail Rakhmanov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.