PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vito Starkard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Konstantins Gluhovs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vito Starkard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Starkard
vs
Gluhovs

196 cm
20
242 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

205 cm
24
233 lbs
1 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vito Starkard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Konstantins Gluhovs!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Starkard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gluhovs, pushing him back against the cage.
Starkard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gluhovs smiles and moves away.
Horrible takedown by Starkard or perhaps it was just good defense by Gluhovs which made him look bad.
Starkard shoots in looking for a takedown. Gluhovs tries to sprawl out of it but Starkard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gluhovs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Starkard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Starkard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gluhovs, pushing him back against the cage.
Starkard trying to land knees to the body.
Starkard fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starkard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gluhovs uses from the top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Starkard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gluhovs defends well.
Starkard trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Starkard working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gluhovs doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gluhovs manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Starkard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gluhovs preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starkard pulls Gluhovs in close to his closed guard and prevents Gluhovs from doing any damage or advancing position.

Starkard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gluhovs is aware though and is defending well.

Gluhovs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starkard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gluhovs!
Starkard unloads with some shots from mount but Gluhovs bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gluhovs is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gluhovs wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Starkard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poor strikes thrown by Starkard there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Gluhovs defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Starkard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Starkard working Gluhovs over with strikes here.
Gluhovs is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gluhovs tries to hold on but Starkard postures up.
Starkard looking to finish with strikes here!
Gluhovs wants to control but Starkard is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starkard is landing with some decent strikes but Gluhovs is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gluhovs can't escape the position.
Starkard breaks from Gluhovs's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Starkard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Starkard tries to control but Gluhovs wriggling away.
Starkard lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Starkard fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Starkard with good strikes from the mount here!
Gluhovs really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Starkard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Starkard landing punches.

Gluhovs is rocked!
Starkard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Gluhovs is still in real trouble! Can Starkard finish him?
Starkard loads up with a big shot that hurts Gluhovs! He's pulled Starkard in close but Starkard has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Gluhovs survive? More strikes from Starkard and Gluhovs is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Vito Starkard!