PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kantemir Kantemirov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominick Cruz Krz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kantemir Kantemirov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kantemirov
vs
Cruz Krz

167 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kantemir Kantemirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dominick Cruz Krz!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kantemirov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kantemirov missing with a left hand there. Krz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Krz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Krz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck for Kantemirov with that takedown attempt.
Krz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kantemirov shoots in but Krz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Krz fails with a takedown attempt.
Kantemir Kantemirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominick Cruz Krz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kantemirov drives through with a takedown into Krz's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kantemirov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kantemirov drops back looking for a leg! Krz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Krz manages to kick Kantemirov off! Kantemirov jumps back into Krz's guard.
Kantemirov trying to control but Krz is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantemirov landing some decent shots from guard.
Krz keeping moving, preventing Kantemirov from controlling successfully.

Kantemirov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Krz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kantemirov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kantemirov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

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.
Krz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kantemirov tries for a takedown but Krz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kantemirov dives in and grabs Krz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Krz pushes down on Kantemirov's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Kantemirov as Krz shoots in.
Krz looks winded!
Kantemirov dives in and grabs Krz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Krz pushes down on Kantemirov's head and hops out.

Kantemirov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Krz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Krz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kantemirov just content to control the position.

Kantemirov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kantemirov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Krz is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kantemirov is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kantemirov has hold of Krz's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Krz seems comfortable defending it but Kantemirov has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Krz is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Krz is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Kantemirov couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kantemir Kantemirov!
After winning the bout, Kantemir Kantemirov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.