PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akakij Afanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DJ Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Palmer's choice of entrance music: Bodies. Akakij Afanov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to DJ Palmer's chin.

Afanov
vs
Palmer

187 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akakij Afanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, DJ Palmer!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Palmer feints and as Afanov raises his hands in defense, Palmer changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Afanov 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.
Palmer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Afanov tries to buck Palmer off but Palmer is having none of it.

Palmer is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Afanov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Palmer wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Afanov, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Afanov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Palmer tries to move to mount but Afanov blocks the move with his legs.
Afanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Palmer on the ground.

Palmer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Afanov has escaped the position, nice work there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Palmer tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Palmer has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Palmer looks gassed!
Palmer tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Palmer blocks the strikes from Afanov.
Afanov regains half guard.
Afanov trying to control but Palmer postures up.
Palmer trying to mount his opponent but Afanov defends it.

Palmer is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Afanov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Palmer.
Afanov wants to control but Palmer is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Palmer is looking for a kimura but Afanov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Palmer to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Afanov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Palmer blocks the strikes from Afanov.

Afanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Palmer scores a takedown into full mount!
Afanov tries to reverse the position but Palmer maintains control.

Palmer with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Palmer avoids the attempt from Afanov to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palmer is working for a guillotine from mount but Afanov frees his head quite easily.
Afanov is looking to improve his position but Palmer isn't that keen on the idea.

Afanov bucks up and throws Palmer to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Afanov dives in and grabs Palmer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Palmer pushes down on Afanov's head and hops out.
Afanov is looking to clinch.

Palmer is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Afanov's half guard.

Palmer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Palmer wants to work for an arm triangle but Afanov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Palmer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Palmer maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Afanov could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Palmer has cracked it and Afanov is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Palmer!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). DJ Palmer!