PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Javier Pinales (ranked 1177 p4p, 157 weight class) and Kamaru Usman (ranked 1476 p4p, 191 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Pinales
vs
Usman

184 cm
27
184 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

182 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)
Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Javier Pinales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kamaru Usman!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pinales drops down looking for a counter takedown but Usman sprawls and moves away.
Usman throws an off balance right hand

and Pinales counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pinales.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Pinales thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Usman trying to keep a closed guard but Pinales is proving a slippery customer.

Pinales drops back looking for a leg! Usman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Usman manages to kick Pinales off! Pinales jumps back into Usman's guard.
Pinales is fighting to break Usman's control of his arms but Usman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pinales looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usman trying to keep a closed guard but Pinales is proving a slippery customer.

Pinales thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Usman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pinales drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Usman dives on top into guard.

Usman looking to pass the guard.
Usman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Usman trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Usman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pinales is keeping the position for now.
Usman trying to control but Pinales is working from the bottom.
Usman is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usman throws a big elbow that misses.
Usman trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pinales throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Usman looking to pass the guard.
Usman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Usman trying to control but Pinales is working from the bottom.
Usman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pinales keeping moving, preventing Usman from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinales can't keep his opponent in guard - Usman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Usman throwing shots but Pinales is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Usman.
Usman stalling away here and it's allowed Pinales to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Usman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pinales works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Usman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Usman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Usman told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Usman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Usman trying to control but Pinales is working from the bottom.

Usman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usman trying to control but Pinales is working from the bottom.
Usman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Usman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Pinales is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Usman frees his head nicely. Oh but Pinales has switched to an armbar! Usman is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Javier Pinales!
Javier Pinales managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150), into his post fight interview.