PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Martin Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Zharkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martin Russell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Russell
vs
Zharkov

178 cm
22
167 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

183 cm
22
182 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Martin Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrei Zharkov!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Eddie Farnsworth and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zharkov takes a swing at Russell's ribcage but misses.
Russell darts in looking for a takedown but Zharkov gets double underhooks and turns Russell into the cage.
A countering left hand to the body from Zharkov misses.
Russell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zharkov defends well and Russell ends up having to push Zharkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Russell has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Zharkov lands with a nice body punch.
Good leg kick by Russell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zharkov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Russell.
Russell tries for a takedown but Zharkov circles away easily

so Zharkov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zharkov is stalling in the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Russell is on top in guard.

Zharkov is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Russell has his hands clasped together but Zharkov extends and breaks Russell's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Zharkov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Andrei Zharkov!