PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Pirozhkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeru Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takeru Kobayashi will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Pirozhkov
vs
Kobayashi

175 cm
29
135 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

173 cm
20
146 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arthur Pirozhkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeru Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kobayashi tries to land a front kick but Pirozhkov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pirozhkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kobayashi tries to sprawl out of it but Pirozhkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kobayashi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kobayashi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kobayashi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kobayashi feints and then cracks Pirozhkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pirozhkov down.
Kobayashi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pirozhkov's calf.
Pirozhkov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kobayashi tries to land a leg kick but Pirozhkov saw it coming and moves away.

Pirozhkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kobayashi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pirozhkov in side control, throwing shots but Kobayashi defends.
Kobayashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pirozhkov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kobayashi is not content to let Pirozhkov control the position.
Pirozhkov happy to just control the position for now.
Kobayashi can't do much from the bottom here.

Pirozhkov tries for a kimura but Kobayashi is defending well.
Pirozhkov trying to control the position but Kobayashi is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pirozhkov tries for a kimura but Kobayashi is defending well.

Pirozhkov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kobayashi is looking for a sweep.
Pirozhkov wants to control but Kobayashi is keeping him busy.

Pirozhkov is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Kobayashi is trying to escape and Pirozhkov transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Kobayashi is forced to tap! Nice work there by Pirozhkov! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Arthur Pirozhkov!