PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Lobtov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrey Lobtov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Andrey Lobtov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Steel
vs
Lobtov

168 cm
25
160 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

150 cm
26
170 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Sully's Bar & Grill

Sully's Bar & Grill
Leviathan Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Victor Steel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andrey Lobtov!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lobtov manages to avoid it.
Lobtov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Steel misses with a left hand

and Lobtov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lobtov trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.

Lobtov drops back looking for a leg! Steel is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Steel manages to kick Lobtov off! Lobtov jumps back into Steel's guard.
Lobtov preventing the sweep.
Steel keeping moving, preventing Lobtov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lobtov passes Steel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Lobtov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lobtov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Steel is looking to improve his position.
Steel is pressing down on Lobtov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Lobtov won't allow Steel to sweep him here.
Lobtov trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.

Steel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lobtov defends it easily.
Steel pulls Lobtov in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lobtov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Steel is keeping the position for now.
Steel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lobtov trying to control but Steel is working from the bottom.
Lobtov preventing the sweep.

Steel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lobtov defends well.
Steel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lobtov is one step ahead there.
Lobtov passes into half guard.
Lobtov moves nicely into side control.
Lobtov has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lobtov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Steel tries to reverse the position but Lobtov maintains control.

Lobtov throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Steel has his hands clasped together but Lobtov breaks the hold and Steel is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Lobtov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Andrey Lobtov! Andrey Lobtov retains his lightweight title!
Victor Steel was interviewed post fight and said 'Impressive win to my opponent. I will learn from this and come back stronger and avenge this loss in the near future. Watch and see.'.