PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Saifulla Rakhmonov (ranked 3422 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohammed Rahardian (ranked 4335 p4p, 0 weight class). Saifulla Rakhmonov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rakhmonov
vs
Rahardian

168 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

177 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saifulla Rakhmonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mohammed Rahardian!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.

Rahardian feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rahardian is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rakhmonov is trying to control the position but Rahardian postures up.
Rahardian with a nice head shot there.
Rahardian trying to control but Rakhmonov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahardian throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rakhmonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rahardian wants to control from the top but Rakhmonov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahardian slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Rahardian drops back looking for a leg! Rakhmonov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rakhmonov manages to kick Rahardian off! Rahardian jumps back into Rakhmonov's guard.
Rahardian controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rakhmonov keeping moving, preventing Rahardian from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rakhmonov tries to clinch there but Rahardian circles away.
A little jabbing left from Rahardian on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rakhmonov lands with a kick to the temple. Rahardian shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rakhmonov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rahardian's calf.

Rakhmonov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rahardian has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rahardian is trying to pull guard but Rakhmonov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rakhmonov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rahardian walks away with a smile on his face. Rakhmonov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rahardian shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rakhmonov defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahardian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rahardian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rakhmonov's waist but Rakhmonov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rahardian off to one side.
Saifulla Rakhmonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammed Rahardian.
Rahardian shoots in looking for a takedown. Rakhmonov tries to sprawl out of it but Rahardian keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rakhmonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rakhmonov stuffs the takedown.
Rakhmonov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Rakhmonov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rahardian looks winded!
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rahardian as he avoids it easily.
Rakhmonov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rakhmonov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rahardian tries to clinch but Rakhmonov is having none of it.
Rakhmonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rahardian forces Rakhmonov back against the cage and clinches.
Rahardian dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rahardian drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rakhmonov gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Rakhmonov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Rahardian is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rakhmonov to the mat. Rakhmonov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rakhmonov controls Rahardian momentarily but Rahardian frees himself.
Rakhmonov keeping full guard, as Rahardian tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Saifulla Rakhmonov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rakhmonov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rahardian is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rakhmonov tries to work over Rahardian's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rahardian changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rakhmonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rakhmonov shoots in but no luck this time.
Rahardian takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Rahardian gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahardian fails to pull guard.
Saifulla Rakhmonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohammed Rahardian.
Rakhmonov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rahardian avoids it.

Rahardian jumps guard and drags Rakhmonov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rahardian scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahardian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rahardian is breathing heavily.
Rahardian looks for the body kick but Rakhmonov saw that one coming.
Rahardian throws a head kick but Rakhmonov moves out of range.
Rakhmonov feinted with a counter takedown.
Rahardian tries for a takedown but Rakhmonov circles away easily
and Rakhmonov counters with a nice uppercut.
Rakhmonov shoots for a double leg takedown but Rahardian sprawls well. He's pushed Rakhmonov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rahardian or perhaps it was just good defense by Rakhmonov, which made it look bad.

Rakhmonov closes the distance and clinches.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rahardian as he avoids it easily.
Rahardian leaves Rakhmonov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Rakhmonov pushes Rahardian up against the cage in a clinch.
Rahardian tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rakhmonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rahardian fails to pull guard.
Rakhmonov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rahardian is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rahardian takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Rakhmonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rahardian closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rahardian pulls guard effortlessly.

Rahardian looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rahardian tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rahardian trying to keep a closed guard but Rakhmonov is proving a slippery customer.
Rakhmonov wants to control from the top but Rahardian keeps moving.

Rahardian is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Rakhmonov frees his head nicely. Oh but Rahardian has switched to an armbar! Rakhmonov is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Mohammed Rahardian!