PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Khaibulaev (ranked 2878 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stroev (ranked 4127 p4p, 445 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Victor Stroev enters the cage!

Khaibulaev
vs
Stroev

177 cm
25
157 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Magomed Khaibulaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Stroev!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stroev.
Khaibulaev appears to be looking for a big counter.

Stroev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stroev just leaning against Khaibulaev, taking a breather.
Stroev tries to score a body lock takedown but Khaibulaev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A knee to the head by Stroev.
Stroev pressing his opponent against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stroev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Khaibulaev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Magomed Khaibulaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stroev.
Khaibulaev tries to break the clinch but Stroev is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khaibulaev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Stroev regains guard immediately.
Khaibulaev trying to control but Stroev is working from the bottom.

Khaibulaev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stroev keeping moving, preventing Khaibulaev from controlling successfully.
Khaibulaev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khaibulaev postures up in Stroev's guard and throws a big left but Stroev blocks it.
Khaibulaev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Khaibulaev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Khaibulaev controlling from the top position.
Khaibulaev trying to control but Stroev is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Khaibulaev moves into the clinch successfully.

Stroev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Khaibulaev misses with a body shot.
Stroev shoots for a double leg takedown but Khaibulaev sprawls well. He's pushed Stroev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Stroev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Khaibulaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Stroev fails to pull guard.
Stroev keeps control of Khaibulaev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stroev is pressed up against the cage. Khaibulaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Stroev down to the mat. Stroev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Khaibulaev circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khaibulaev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stroev moves into the clinch.
Khaibulaev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Stroev is defending well.

Stroev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stroev clinches with his opponent.

Stroev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Stroev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khaibulaev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Khaibulaev is positioning himself well to prevent Stroev advancing to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stroev thows a huge punch but Khaibulaev dodges it nicely.
Stroev controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stroev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Khaibulaev looks for a takedown but Stroev sprawls well.
Stroev with the counter takedown but Khaibulaev avoids it easily.
Stroev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stroev shoots in but no luck this time.
Stroev misses with a takedown attempt - Khaibulaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stroev throws a leg kick but Khaibulaev checks it.
Khaibulaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Magomed Khaibulaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Stroev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Khaibulaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Khaibulaev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stroev up against the cage.
Stroev gets underhooks to prevent Khaibulaev's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khaibulaev lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stroev is looking to get back to is feet but Khaibulaev passes into side control.

Khaibulaev is working to tighten his grip on Stroev's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Stroev has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Khaibulaev is really squeezing tight and eventually Stroev passes out! Khaibulaev breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Magomed Khaibulaev!