PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Blackwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Cherkasky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikita Cherkasky will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Blackwell
vs
Cherkasky

190 cm
32
270 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
245 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Blackwell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikita Cherkasky!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cherkasky tries to sprawl but Blackwell drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Cherkasky trying to hold on to Blackwell's head to control him but Blackwell postures up.
Blackwell working over Cherkasky with some ground and pound. Cherkasky looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Cherkasky is defending against the submission attempts here by Blackwell.
Blackwell trying to pass the guard but Cherkasky defending well.
Blackwell is thwarting Cherkasky's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cherkasky on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cherkasky wants to control but Blackwell is keeping busy.

Blackwell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cherkasky doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Blackwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherkasky makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cherkasky.
Cherkasky throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blackwell throwing strikes from guard but Cherkasky blocks nicely.
Cherkasky looking for a sweep. Not yet Cherkasky, not yet.
Blackwell lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

It looks like Nikita Cherkasky has been cut.
Blackwell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Blackwell 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.
Cherkasky tries to get to full guard but Blackwell has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cherkasky is trying to control but can't.
Blackwell is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Blackwell is looking for a kimura here.
Cherkasky has his hands clasped together around Blackwell's back. He's all about the action.
Cherkasky taking some punishment here, with Blackwell in his half guard.
Blackwell throwing shots but Cherkasky is blocking nicely.
Blackwell lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cherkasky is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blackwell maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Cherkasky could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Blackwell has cracked it and Cherkasky is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Blackwell!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tom Blackwell!
Tom Blackwell retains his heavyweight title!