PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abu Rock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Paris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Rock
vs
Paris

182 cm
27
195 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

183 cm
34
185 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abu Rock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Paris!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paris looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rock is fending him off so far but Paris persists. Nope, Rock circles away and we're back to standing.
Paris fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rock avoids it really well and circles away.
Rock lands a really nice looking cross but Paris seems unphased.
Rock keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Craig Paris has been cut.
Rock fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Paris shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rock defends it nicely.
Abu Rock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Paris.
Paris shoots for a double leg takedown but Rock sprawls well. He's pushed Paris's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rock feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rock trying to control but Paris is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paris avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rock makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rock has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paris has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rock can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rock trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rock is in close to Paris's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Paris escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rock gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rock is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Paris had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rock defends it easily.
Rock is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rock lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock is looking to work some ground and pound but Paris has wrist control.
We've been hearing good reports from Rock's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Paris looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rock trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Paris working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rock doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Paris is tightening it up a little... Rock has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Rock reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Rock taps out! Nice BJJ there by Paris!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Craig Paris!