PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Zhukova (ranked 4423 p4p, 4444 weight class) and John Holmgren (ranked 389 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmgren is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 800*. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zhukova
vs
Holmgren

175 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Zhukova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Holmgren!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhukova throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Holmgren moves into the clinch.
Zhukova is trying to break free.
Zhukova is trying to force a seperation but Holmgren has the dominant position.
Zhukova looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zhukova is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Zhukova's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holmgren slows down the pace here.
Holmgren tries to score a body lock takedown but Zhukova shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A frustrated look appears on Zhukova's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zhukova tries to break free but Holmgren pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmgren is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zhukova is defending well.
Aleksandr Zhukova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Holmgren.
Holmgren has Zhukova pressed against the cage, preventing Zhukova from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Holmgren has Zhukova pressed against the cage, preventing Zhukova from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zhukova wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Holmgren breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zhukova feints a jab promting Holmgren to slip. Zhukova then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Holmgren slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhukova misses with a wild combination.
A right-left combo lands from Zhukova.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zhukova!

Holmgren looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zhukova wants to get back to his feet but Holmgren passes into half guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zhukova is defending against the submission attempts here by Holmgren.
Holmgren drops an elbow to the side of Zhukova's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhukova is trying to control but can't.

Holmgren seems to be looking for submissions.
Holmgren is thwarting Zhukova's attempts to control the position.

Holmgren is looking for a kimura here.

Holmgren decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Holmgren instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holmgren wants the takedown. Zhukova is fighting it off but Holmgren persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Zhukova's guard against the cage.

Holmgren thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Holmgren slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Holmgren tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Holmgren is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Zhukova is trying to escape and Holmgren transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Zhukova is forced to tap! Nice work there by Holmgren! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Holmgren!
John Holmgren thanked the fans post fight for their support.