PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Cabollaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Russow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cabollaro
vs
Russow

195 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
253 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 Helsinki, Javier Cabollaro!
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, Michael Russow!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cabollaro's jab looks to have found its range, popping Russow under the eye.

Cabollaro takes the fight into the clinch.
Russow fails to pull guard.
Cabollaro could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Russow is trying to push Cabollaro away but Cabollaro has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cabollaro is pushing Russow up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Russow jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cabollaro walks away with a smile on his face. Russow gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Russow throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cabollaro lands with a nice combination. Russow backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Michael Russow has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russow takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Russow looks gassed!

Cabollaro moves into the clinch.
Cabollaro has Russow pushed against the cage.

Cabollaro wants the takedown. Russow is fighting it off but Cabollaro persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Russow's guard against the cage.
Cabollaro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cabollaro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cabollaro throwing strikes but missing.
Russow is trying to control the position but Cabollaro postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabollaro trying to control the position from guard on top but Russow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Russow is working an open guard so Cabollaro takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Russow misses with a double jab

and Cabollaro moves into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Cabollaro lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Cabollaro knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Russow on the ground.
Cabollaro throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russow tries to get to full guard but Cabollaro has control of the leg.
Cabollaro trying to pass the guard but Russow defending well.
Cabollaro is thwarting Russow's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russow tries to get to full guard but Cabollaro has control of the leg.
Cabollaro is taking a breather. Russow says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Cabollaro lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cabollaro lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Russow is looking for a sweep. Cabollaro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Russow is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russow is looking to escape.
Cabollaro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Russow is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cabollaro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Russow wants to get back to his feet.
Russow moves into full guard.
Cabollaro wanted to stand there but Russow had control of the position.
Cabollaro stopping the sweep attempt from Russow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Russow controls Cabollaro momentarily but Cabollaro frees himself.
Russow trying to strike off his back.
Russow wants to sweep but no luck.
Cabollaro tries to free his leg and advance position but Russow is retaining full guard.
Russow looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russow wants to sweep but no luck.

Russow looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cabollaro wants to control from the top but Russow keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Javier Cabollaro dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Russow's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Russow tries to clinch but Cabollaro moves away

and Cabollaro counters by moving into the clinch.

Cabollaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russow moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Russow throws a sloppy head kick

and Cabollaro moves into the clinch.
Russow wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Russow tries to pull guard but Cabollaro won't allow it.
Russow tries to stall but Cabollaro uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Cabollaro manages to break the clinch.
Russow looks to clinch
and Cabollaro counters with a stiff right hand.
Russow tries to clinch but Cabollaro moves away
letting Cabollaro counter with a right hand.
Russow shoots and misses

and Cabollaro counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cabollaro.

Cabollaro lands a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabollaro tries to free his leg and advance position but Russow is retaining full guard.
Russow looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Russow is looking for a triangle but Cabollaro pushes his legs off easily.
Russow working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russow thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cabollaro prevents Russow from getting back to his feet.
Russow not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cabollaro looking to pass the guard.
Russow is trying to control the position but Cabollaro postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Michael Russow hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Russow closes the distance but Cabollaro moves to the side

and Cabollaro counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cabollaro.
Russow tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Javier Cabollaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Russow.
Russow tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cabollaro just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cabollaro has Russow pressed against the cage, preventing Russow from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Russow prevents a takedown attempt there.
Russow tries to work over Cabollaro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Russow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Russow is trying to break the clinch but Cabollaro is controlling him.
Russow tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cabollaro just stands there and leans against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Russow's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cabollaro is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Russow tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cabollaro just stands there and leans against the cage.
Russow with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Russow pulls guard.
Russow 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.
Cabollaro won't allow Russow to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russow controls Cabollaro momentarily but Cabollaro frees himself.
Russow throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Russow is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Cabollaro frees his head nicely. Oh but Russow has switched to an armbar! Cabollaro is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Michael Russow!