PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksei Sambo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Strodov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Sambo
vs
Strodov

188 cm
18
257 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
224 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Aleksei Sambo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Strodov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sambo gets a clinch.
Strodov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sambo lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Ivan Strodov has been cut.

Sambo is trying to trip Strodov. He has hold of a leg but Strodov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Sambo persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Sambo trying to control but Strodov is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strodov wants to stand up but Sambo is controlling him.
Strodov looking for a sweep. Not yet Strodov, not yet.
Sambo trying to control but Strodov is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sambo stopping the sweep attempt from Strodov.

Aleksei Sambo has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Strodov moves into the clinch successfully.

Sambo pulls Strodov into guard.

Strodov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sambo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strodov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Strodov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sambo is proving hard to escape from.

Sambo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strodov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strodov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Strodov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Strodov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Strodov prevents Sambo from getting back to his feet.

Sambo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Strodov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Strodov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Strodov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Strodov wants to pass the guard but Sambo is keeping the position.

Strodov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Strodov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Strodov stands up and waves to Sambo to follow him.
Sambo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Strodov looks gassed!
Strodov has a takedown stuffed.
Strodov tries for a takedown but Sambo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aleksei Sambo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Strodov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strodov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sambo sprawls well. Sambo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strodov gets slowly back to his feet.

Sambo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Strodov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Strodov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sambo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sambo's back!
Sambo trying to control the hands but Strodov breaks the grip.

Sambo is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Sambo is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strodov looking to break Sambo's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sambo remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Strodov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Strodov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Strodov controlling well, preventing Sambo from escaping the position.

Strodov has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Sambo is in real trouble here. Strodov gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Sambo is tapping out! Strodov wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ivan Strodov!