PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smirnov comes to the cage accompanied by Russian National Anthem. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Smirnov
vs
Silva

170 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Silva!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smirnov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Smirnov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Silva is trying to keep an underhook but Smirnov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Silva wants to improve his position but Smirnov is controlling well.
Smirnov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Silva knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Silva is looking to control Smirnov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Silva avoid being mounted?
Silva misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Smirnov trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva is pressing down on Smirnov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Smirnov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Silva on the ground.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smirnov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smirnov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smirnov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smirnov content to stall in guard here.
Smirnov wants to get up but he can't break Silva's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Silva trying to control the position.
Silva is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Smirnov is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov is trying to get back to full guard.
Smirnov is looking to escape.
Silva trying to control the action but Smirnov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Smirnov is defending well.
Smirnov trying to control but Silva postures up.
Smirnov trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Silva moves to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva looking to break Smirnov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Smirnov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Silva will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Silva looks gassed!
Silva avoiding Smirnov 's attempts to control his hands.
Smirnov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Silva's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Silva is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Smirnov is defending well though. Silva let's go of the attempt for now.
Smirnov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Silva.
Smirnov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Silva is working for a rear naked choke. Smirnov is not defending it well and Silva has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Smirnov refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Smirnov's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mauricio Silva!