PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vasilliy Kazakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Sands (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sands has chosen Irish Soldier Song ... Free & Green as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kazakov
vs
Sands

163 cm
27
146 lbs
13 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
150 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vasilliy Kazakov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bobby Sands!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sands closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kazakov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sands throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sands prevents a body shot from Kazakov.
Sands lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sands lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sands misses with the head strike.
Kazakov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kazakov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sands throws an elbow but misses.
Kazakov avoids a wild elbow strike from Sands.
Sands swings wildly with an uppercut but Kazakov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazakov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sands just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazakov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Sands breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sands throws a body shot but no joy.
Sands looks to clinch

and Kazakov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sands!
Sands bucks up and tries to throw Kazakov off but instead Kazakov has got his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazakov looking for the choke but no joy.
You can see the frustration on Sands's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Sands defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kazakov's arms.

Sands is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazakov is riding his opponent, not letting Sands buck him off.
Sands trying to get back to his feet but Kazakov is in full control for now.

Kazakov looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sands staying busy and making it hard for Kazakov to control.
Sands is trying to stand back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Sands's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Sands is trying to get back to his feet but Kazakov has full control of the position and if anything, Sands has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Kazakov working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sands showing good submission defense here.

Sands is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kazakov gets his way!

Kazakov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sands wants to get back to his feet. He's half way up but Kazakov drags him back down with a jolt, managing to get his forearm deep under Sands 's chin! Sands is in real trouble! His face is turning bright red and he's forced to tap! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vasilliy Kazakov!
Vasilliy Kazakov retains his featherweight title!