PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Kota (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kota's choice of entrance music: Airplanes - B.o.B ft Hayley Williams. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Astakhov
vs
Kota

182 cm
27
197 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

183 cm
26
214 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Astakhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Charles Kota!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Astakhov enables Kota to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Astakhov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Astakhov keeping moving, preventing Kota from controlling successfully.

Kota got a little sloppy there for a moment and Astakhov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kota has managed to get both his arms back between Astakhov's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kota accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kota stops Astakhov from standing up.
Kota wants to pass the guard but Astakhov is keeping the position.
Kota won't allow Astakhov to sweep him here.
Kota trying to control the position from guard on top but Astakhov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kota throwing strikes from guard but Astakhov blocks nicely.
Kota wants to control from the top but Astakhov keeps moving.
Astakhov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Astakhov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Astakhov tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astakhov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kota keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Astakhov's head.
Kota trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Astakhov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kota wants to control from the top but Astakhov keeps moving.
Astakhov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Astakhov has his feet on Kota's thighs here. He's pushed Kota off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Kota screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shamil Astakhov!