PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adan Conner (ranked 23863 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rustam Fatkhuloev (ranked 5815 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Conner
vs
Fatkhuloev

174 cm
20
278 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

198 cm
23
262 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Adan Conner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rustam Fatkhuloev!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fatkhuloev forces Conner back against the cage and clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fatkhuloev stalling in the clinch.

Fatkhuloev lands a takedown into guard.
Conner is wriggling around but Fatkhuloev manages to pass to half guard.

Conner trying to hold on to Fatkhuloev's head to control him but Fatkhuloev postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatkhuloev is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Conner trying to hold on to Fatkhuloev's head to control him but Fatkhuloev postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatkhuloev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Fatkhuloev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Conner is trying to stand up here but Fatkhuloev is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fatkhuloev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fatkhuloev is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fatkhuloev content to control rather than advance.

Fatkhuloev seems to be working for a kimura but Conner defends the submission attempt.
Fatkhuloev wants to stand up but Conner has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Fatkhuloev trying to control the pace.
Fatkhuloev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fatkhuloev in particular looking to stall.
Conner trying to control here.
Fatkhuloev controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Fatkhuloev gets the takedown into side control.
Conner is being controlled here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fatkhuloev looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Fatkhuloev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Conner has escaped the position, nice work there.
Fatkhuloev tries to stand but Conner is controlling his head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fatkhuloev is trying to get an arm triangle but Conner is defending well.

Fatkhuloev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Conner, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rustam Fatkhuloev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Conner has managed to clinch.
Conner jumps guard but Fatkhuloev stands there with Conner around his waist. Conner gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Fatkhuloev lands a takedown into guard.
Fatkhuloev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Conner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fatkhuloev is controlling him.
Conner keeping moving, preventing Fatkhuloev from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatkhuloev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatkhuloev looking to pass the guard.
Fatkhuloev pushing down on Conner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fatkhuloev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rustam Fatkhuloev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fatkhuloev moves into full mount! Conner won't be happy about that!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fatkhuloev controlling the pace for now.
The referee warns Conner that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Fatkhuloev controlling from the full mount.
Fatkhuloev with good strikes from the mount here!
Fatkhuloev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Conner's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Conner wants to hold on but Fatkhuloev pushes him away.
Fatkhuloev controlling from mount.

Fatkhuloev is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Conner has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Fatkhuloev looking to control and managing it successfully.
Conner really is a fat lump.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fatkhuloev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Conner holds on to Fatkhuloev around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Conner wants to control but Fatkhuloev is having none of it.
Conner might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fatkhuloev with good strikes from the mount here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fatkhuloev landing strikes from the mount.
Fatkhuloev in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rustam Fatkhuloev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Conner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Fatkhuloev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Conner looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Conner looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Conner!

Conner tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Fatkhuloev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatkhuloev keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Fatkhuloev trying to control but Conner postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatkhuloev wants to improve his position but Conner is controlling well.
Fatkhuloev is looking to control Conner's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fatkhuloev avoid being mounted?
Conner wants to stand up but Fatkhuloev has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Fatkhuloev is looking to improve his position.

Fatkhuloev looking for submissions off his back.
Conner tries to stand but can't do so whilst Fatkhuloev controls his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fatkhuloev is looking to control Conner's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fatkhuloev avoid being mounted?
Fatkhuloev is holding on to half guard well.
Fatkhuloev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Fatkhuloev scores with a takedown into Conner's guard.
Fatkhuloev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fatkhuloev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Conner dives on top into guard.

Fatkhuloev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Conner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Conner trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fatkhuloev's guard.
Conner has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fatkhuloev controlling Conner's posture.
Conner wants to stand and escape but instead Fatkhuloev has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conner throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Conner is trying to keep Fatkhuloev in close.
Conner has a closed guard, preventing Fatkhuloev from standing up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fatkhuloev content to stall in guard here.
Adan Conner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rustam Fatkhuloev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rustam Fatkhuloev.
Well Fatkhuloev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rustam Fatkhuloev!
A very excited looking Rustam Fatkhuloev made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.