PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Kuleshov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zlatan Arshavin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Alexei Kuleshov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kuleshov
vs
Arshavin

160 cm
22
134 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
135 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Kuleshov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zlatan Arshavin!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuleshov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Arshavin swivels and escapes.

Arshavin closes the distance and clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Arshavin.
Kuleshov wants to take the fight to the mat but Arshavin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Arshavin breaks from the clinch.

Arshavin forces Kuleshov back against the cage and clinches.
Kuleshov misses with a knee strike.
Arshavin misses with a knee to the head.
Kuleshov struggles to land a body shot inside as Arshavin controls his hands.
Arshavin is pushing Kuleshov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kuleshov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Arshavin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arshavin tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuleshov is retaining full guard.
Kuleshov controls Arshavin momentarily but Arshavin frees himself.
Arshavin wants to control from the top but Kuleshov keeps moving.

Arshavin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kuleshov, up you get!
Kuleshov checks a low kick from Arshavin.
Kuleshov misses with a two punch combination.
Arshavin with the counter takedown but Kuleshov avoids it easily.
Kuleshov leaves Arshavin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kuleshov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuleshov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuleshov goes for a double leg but Arshavin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Arshavin continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Kuleshov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuleshov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Arshavin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kuleshov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Arshavin circles away quickly and effectively.
Arshavin with the counter takedown but Kuleshov avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Arshavin.
Kuleshov is breathing heavily.
Kuleshov looks to score with a jab to the body but Arshavin is just out of range.

Arshavin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kuleshov!
Arshavin is staying tight to Kuleshov's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Arshavin stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuleshov looks to land a combination but Arshavin avoids it well.
And Arshavin responds with a good body kick, but Kuleshov manages to step out the way in time.
Nice sprawl there from Kuleshov as Arshavin shoots in.

Arshavin clinches up with Kuleshov and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuleshov.

Arshavin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arshavin.
Kuleshov scores with a jab. Arshavin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Arshavin shoots for a double leg takedown but Kuleshov sprawls well. He's pushed Arshavin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Arshavin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arshavin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Arshavin throwing shots but Kuleshov is blocking nicely.

Arshavin decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Arshavin moves into the clinch.
Arshavin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuleshov smiles and moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arshavin has a takedown stuffed.
A quick step to the side and Kuleshov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zlatan Arshavin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Arshavin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kuleshov pushes Arshavin off but Arshavin dives into side control.

Arshavin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuleshov has escaped the position, nice work there.

Arshavin has hold of Kuleshov's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Kuleshov tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Arshavin cranks the arm and Kuleshov screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Kuleshov, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Zlatan Arshavin!