PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tabarik Maisumov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Geghard Karekin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maisumov
vs
Karekin

172 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

179 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tabarik Maisumov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Geghard Karekin!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karekin swats away the attempt to clinch by Maisumov.
Maisumov tries to clinch up

and Karekin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Karekin throws an elbow that misses. Maisumov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Karekin's guard. Nice move by Maisumov!
Karekin is pulling down on Maisumov's head. It's preventing any offense from Maisumov, at least for the moment.
Maisumov won't allow Karekin to sweep him here.
Karekin is pulling down on Maisumov's head. It's preventing any offense from Maisumov, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maisumov prevents Karekin from getting back to his feet.
Karekin is pulling down on Maisumov's head. It's preventing any offense from Maisumov, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tabarik Maisumov just wasn't active enough.
Maisumov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maisumov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Karekin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karekin avoids the head kick by Maisumov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maisumov tries a head kick but it misses.
Maisumov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maisumov tries to clinch up.
Karekin swats away the attempt to clinch by Maisumov.
Maisumov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maisumov closes the distance but Karekin moves to the side

and Karekin counters with a takedown into side control.

Karekin tries for a kimura but Maisumov is defending well.

Karekin goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Maisumov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Karekin's guard! Nice work there by Maisumov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maisumov postures up.
Karekin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maisumov is one step ahead there.
Karekin wants to hit a switch here but Maisumov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Karekin there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karekin working to try and regain half guard.
Maisumov wants to get back to his feet but Karekin is holding on tight.
Maisumov prevents Karekin from getting the reversal.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karekin's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geghard Karekin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maisumov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Karekin checks it well.
Maisumov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Karekin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Karekin.
Maisumov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maisumov tries to get out of the position.
Karekin advances position into side control!

Karekin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Karekin has hold of Maisumov's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Maisumov tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Karekin cranks the arm and Maisumov screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Maisumov, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Geghard Karekin!