PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Tikhonov (ranked 2897 p4p, 3193 weight class) and Mo Jassim (ranked 347 p4p, 371 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tikhonov
vs
Jassim

184 cm
25
195
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
197
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Viktor Tikhonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mo Jassim!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jassim gets a takedown into half guard.

Tikhonov has one foot on Jassim's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Jassim scores with a takedown into Tikhonov's guard.
Tikhonov trying to control the position.
Jassim looking to pass the guard.
Tikhonov is trying to keep Jassim in close.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jassim trying to control the position from guard on top but Tikhonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jassim must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jassim is pushing down on Tikhonov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tikhonov is fighting to maintain full guard but Jassim has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tikhonov is controlling Jassim's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Jassim is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tikhonov defends it well.

Jassim wants to work for an arm triangle but Tikhonov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jassim is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikhonov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tikhonov wants to control but Jassim is keeping busy.
Jassim wants to free his trapped foot but Tikhonov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tikhonov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Elite Island Training, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Jassim is trying to work for a kimura but Tikhonov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jassim trying to control from half guard but Tikhonov is working away.
Jassim is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Jassim trying to advance position but Tikhonov counters by regaining guard.
Jassim postures up.
Jassim tries to free his leg and advance position but Tikhonov is retaining full guard.
Jassim forces his way into half guard.
Tikhonov trying to control from the bottom.
Jassim is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikhonov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jassim tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tikhonov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tikhonov tries to get to full guard but Jassim has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jassim is just content to waste time from the top position. Tikhonov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Jassim looking to pass the guard.
Jassim is looking to pass into half guard but Tikhonov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tikhonov is in guard.

Tikhonov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jassim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jassim looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tikhonov passes into half guard.
Jassim wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jassim gets back to full guard.
Tikhonov trying to control but Jassim is working from the bottom.
Jassim bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tikhonov's guard.

Tikhonov wants to get back to his feet but Jassim is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tikhonov is trying to keep Jassim in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tikhonov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tikhonov seems to be looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mo Jassim will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tikhonov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jassim closes the distance and clinches up with Tikhonov, looking for a takedown. Jassim pushes Tikhonov against the cage but Tikhonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Jassim gets the takedown into side control.

Jassim is trying to get an arm triangle but Tikhonov is defending well.
We've been informed that Jassim has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jassim working away.

Jassim is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tikhonov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tikhonov tries to bench press Jassim off him but Jassim keeps the position.

Jassim goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Tikhonov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Jassim's guard! Nice work there by Tikhonov!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jassim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tikhonov passes into half guard.
Jassim wants to control but Tikhonov is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jassim wants to improve his position but Tikhonov is controlling well.
Jassim slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tikhonov trying to control but Jassim is working from the bottom.
Tikhonov looking to pass the guard.
Jassim lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Jassim controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikhonov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Jassim slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mo Jassim has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mo Jassim!