PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mystic Marley (ranked 2035 p4p, 1953 weight class) and Aleksey Viktorov (ranked 127 p4p, 120 weight class). Viktorov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Lyube - Davay Za kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Marley
vs
Viktorov

170 cm
25
136
11 - 5 - 0

168 cm
35
140
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mystic Marley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aleksey Viktorov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viktorov moves to clinch but Marley breaks away
and Marley counters with a left to the body.
Viktorov fails with the takedown.
Marley swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Viktorov takes the fight into the clinch.
Marley gets through Viktorov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Marley misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viktorov tries to pull guard but Marley holds him up against the cage and eventually Viktorov drops back down to his feet.
Marley lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Viktorov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Viktorov jumps guard but Marley stands there with Viktorov around his waist. Viktorov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mystic Marley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksey Viktorov.
Marley misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Viktorov backwards.
Marley misses with a punch on the inside.
Marley working aggressively here.
Marley throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Marley working aggressively here.
Marley is working Viktorov over against the cage.
Marley misses with a punch on the inside.
Viktorov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Marley walks away with a smile on his face. Viktorov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Viktorov rushes Marley and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Marley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Marley lands a hook that snaps the head of Viktorov backwards.
Marley scores with a shot to the side of Viktorov's head.
Marley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marley working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Marley.

Viktorov gets control of Marley's arms and successfully pulls guard. Viktorov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Viktorov is looking for a triangle but Marley pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marley wants to pass the guard but Viktorov is keeping the position.
Marley has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Marley avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marley postures up.

Marley got a little sloppy there for a moment and Viktorov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marley has managed to get both his arms back between Viktorov's legs - danger averted.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Aleksey Viktorov!
A relieved looking Aleksey Viktorov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.