PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aslambek Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilya Vashuta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vashuta comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cruz
vs
Vashuta

185 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Aslambek Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ilya Vashuta!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vashuta gets a takedown into half guard.

Vashuta is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vashuta pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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

Cruz looking for submissions off his back.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vashuta pulls his head out easily.

Vashuta is looking for a kimura here.

Vashuta is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cruz sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vashuta is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cruz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vashuta.
Cruz is looking for a sweep. Vashuta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vashuta is looking to advance position but Cruz won't allow it.

Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Vashuta.

Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Cruz regains full guard. Nicely done.

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

Vashuta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Vashuta drops back looking for a leg! Cruz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cruz manages to kick Vashuta off! Vashuta jumps back into Cruz's guard.

Vashuta got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vashuta has managed to get both his arms back between Cruz's legs - danger averted.

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

Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cruz is breathing heavily.

Vashuta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Vashuta 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.

Vashuta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vashuta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cruz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Cruz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vashuta is aware though and is defending well.

Vashuta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vashuta advances to half guard.

Vashuta is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cruz is just riding it out for now. Vashuta eventually gives up the hold.

Cruz actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vashuta is trying to work for a kimura but Cruz is defending well.

Vashuta is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cruz is just riding it out for now. Vashuta eventually gives up the hold.

Vashuta seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Vashuta is looking for a kimura but Cruz is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vashuta to get the leverage.

Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vashuta pulls his head out easily.

Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Vashuta.

Cruz is defending against the submission attempts here by Vashuta.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aslambek Cruz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cruz tries for a takedown but Vashuta circles away easily

and Vashuta counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vashuta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Vashuta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Vashuta drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Vashuta as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Cruz screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Vashuta! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Ilya Vashuta!