PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aron Liston (ranked 4342 p4p, 4978 weight class) and Gatis Krutainis (ranked 0 p4p, 158 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Liston
vs
Krutainis

214 cm
18
295
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
290
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aron Liston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gatis Krutainis!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Columbo Gatti and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liston fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Some wild striking there from Liston.
Krutainis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Liston throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Liston closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Krutainis did well to prevent Liston getting side control.
Liston is keen to just control but Krutainis is a slippery customer.
Liston stops Krutainis from getting back to his feet.
Krutainis works his way to full guard. Good work.
Liston wanted to stand there but Krutainis had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krutainis wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Krutainis trying to keep a closed guard but Liston is proving a slippery customer.
Liston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Krutainis on the ground.
Krutainis is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krutainis looking for a sweep. Not yet Krutainis, not yet.
Liston trying to control but Krutainis is working from the bottom.
Krutainis throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Krutainis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Krutainis fails with a takedown attempt.
Liston tries to clinch up.
Krutainis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Krutainis.
Liston fails with a takedown attempt.
Krutainis throws a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liston.

Liston moves into the clinch.
Krutainis tries to pull guard but Liston holds him up against the cage and eventually Krutainis drops back down to his feet.
Aron Liston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gatis Krutainis.
Liston wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Liston jumps guard but Krutainis turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Krutainis manages to pull guard.
Krutainis is pulling down on Liston's head to control his posture.
Liston wants to get up but he can't break Krutainis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Liston wants to control from the top but Krutainis keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krutainis wants to get back to his feet but Liston is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Krutainis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Liston defends well.

Liston gets to his feet - Krutainis follows without any prompting.
Liston fails with the takedown
and Krutainis counters with a left to the body.
Liston is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liston instigates a clinch.

Krutainis ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Krutainis no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Krutainis told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Liston preventing the sweep.
Krutainis looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Krutainis is looking for a triangle but Liston pushes his legs off easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Krutainis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Liston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Krutainis is tightening it up a little... Liston has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Liston reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Liston taps out! Nice BJJ there by Krutainis!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Gatis Krutainis!