PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anton Gromov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marta Szarafin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Szarafin has chosen Kavkaz sila as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Gromov
vs
Szarafin

177 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
21
130 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight 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, Anton Gromov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marta Szarafin!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szarafin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gromov.
Gromov misses with a series of wild punches.
Gromov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gromov throws a right and a left that Szarafin avoids nicely.
Gromov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gromov lands a jab-cross combination.

Gromov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szarafin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gromov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Szarafin has Gromov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gromov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Szarafin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Szarafin is trying to break the clinch but Gromov has him pressed against the cage.
Gromov is working Szarafin over against the cage.
Szarafin tries for a takedown. No joy.
Anton Gromov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marta Szarafin.
Gromov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gromov wants to break free but Szarafin has control.
Szarafin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gromov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Szarafin has Gromov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gromov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Szarafin looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gromov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gromov instigates a clinch.
Szarafin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gromov prevents it.
A hook to the body from Gromov.
Szarafin tries to score a body lock takedown but Gromov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Szarafin tries to throw a body punch but Gromov avoids it by throwing Szarafin back against the cage.

Gromov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gromov tries a head kick but it misses.
Szarafin should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Gromov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gromov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gromov tries for a takedown but Szarafin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Gromov with that takedown attempt.
Szarafin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gromov.
Gromov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szarafin checks the leg kick.
Gromov fails with the takedown.
Szarafin shoots in for a double leg but Gromov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gromov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Szarafin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Gromov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Szarafin checks a leg kick nicely.
Szarafin shoots in looking for a takedown but Gromov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Szarafin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gromov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Szarafin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gromov somewhat.
Gromov lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gromov connects with an inside leg kick.
Gromov tries to clinch but Szarafin is having none of it.
Gromov swinging wildly here.
Gromov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Szarafin on the side of the head.
Gromov throws a lazy head kick

and Szarafin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Gromov!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Szarafin stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Gromov tries to clinch up but Szarafin circles away and keeps his distance.
Gromov lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice takedown defense from Gromov. No joy for Szarafin on that attempt.
Nice body kick there by Gromov.
Gromov throws a series of strikes that have Szarafin backpedaling.
Gromov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gromov takes the fight into the clinch.
Szarafin has Gromov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gromov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Anton Gromov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marta Szarafin.
Szarafin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Gromov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gromov misses with a takedown attempt - Szarafin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gromov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Szarafin looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Gromov is defending well. Szarafin quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Gromov has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Szarafin celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marta Szarafin!
After winning the bout, Marta Szarafin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.