PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Vespuci (ranked 5851 p4p, 407 weight class) and Emin Timurovich (ranked 23191 p4p, 445 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Vespuci
vs
Timurovich

170 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

182 cm
24
152 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Vespuci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emin Timurovich!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vespuci shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Timurovich sprawls well. Timurovich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vespuci gets slowly back to his feet.
Tony Vespuci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vespuci shoots for a double leg takedown but Timurovich sprawls well. He's pushed Vespuci's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vespuci misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Vespuci. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vespuci shoots in and bounces Timurovich off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Vespuci trying to control but Timurovich is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vespuci drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Timurovich manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vespuci has Timurovich in his guard.

Timurovich engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Timurovich might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Vespuci is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Timurovich engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Vespuci looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vespuci is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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.
Timurovich not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Vespuci tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Vespuci isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Timurovich stacks Vespuci on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Timurovich!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vespuci trying to remain calm as Timurovich controls from the top position.
Vespuci is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Vespuci is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timurovich is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Vespuci flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vespuci tries to roll over but Timurovich keeps him under control.

Timurovich is looking for a kimura here.
We've been informed that Timurovich has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Vespuci is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Timurovich pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vespuci is looking to control Timurovich's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vespuci avoid being mounted?
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Timurovich throws a head kick but Vespuci moves out of range.
Vespuci fails with a takedown attempt.

Vespuci shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Timurovich's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Timurovich can't keep his opponent in guard - Vespuci advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Timurovich looks winded!
Timurovich wants to control but Vespuci is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Emin Timurovich will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vespuci is trying hard to land a takedown here. Timurovich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vespuci closes the distance and clinches up with Timurovich, looking for a takedown. Vespuci pushes Timurovich against the cage but Timurovich circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Timurovich gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vespuci using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Timurovich has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Timurovich breaks from the clinch.
Vespuci will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Vespuci. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Timurovich fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vespuci sprawls well initially but Timurovich persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Timurovich controlling the action here.
Timurovich is continuing to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vespuci is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Timurovich pulls his head out easily.
Timurovich is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vespuci wants to get back to full guard but Timurovich has mounted him!
Vespuci regains half guard.

Vespuci actively working from the bottom here.

Vespuci looking for submissions off his back.

Vespuci actively working from the bottom here.
Timurovich working Vespuci over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Timurovich controlling the pace.
Timurovich wants to take a breather but Vespuci is having none of it.
Vespuci might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Vespuci is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Timurovich pulls his head out easily.

Vespuci looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Timurovich lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timurovich tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Timurovich looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Vespuci looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vespuci trying to control but Timurovich postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.
Vespuci misses with a takedown attempt - Timurovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Timurovich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vespuci tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vespuci gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vespuci takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Timurovich.
Vespuci tries for a takedown but Timurovich sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vespuci shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vespuci shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Timurovich pinned against the cage. Timurovich gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Timurovich looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emin Timurovich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vespuci 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.
Vespuci trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Vespuci has a closed guard, preventing Timurovich from standing up.
Vespuci keeping moving, preventing Timurovich from controlling successfully.
Timurovich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vespuci striking off his back but it's not causing Timurovich any problems.

Vespuci escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Timurovich gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Vespuci looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Timurovich has picked Vespuci up and slammed him! Vespuci can't keep hold of the triangle and Timurovich manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timurovich tries to stand but Vespuci is controlling his head.
Timurovich working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Timurovich wants to control but Vespuci is keeping him busy.
Emin Timurovich has got the better of the ground game so far.
You can see the frustration on Vespuci's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vespuci is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Timurovich off and has taken his back!

Vespuci looking for the choke from the back.

Vespuci is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Timurovich knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Timurovich for a finish.
Timurovich is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Vespuci seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Timurovich's chin but Timurovich turns very nicely into Vespuci's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Timurovich.
Timurovich lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vespuci looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vespuci looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Timurovich passes into half guard.

Vespuci looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Timurovich pushes past his half guard into mount!
Timurovich takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Timurovich wants to control the pace but Vespuci is squirming around nicely.
Vespuci tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Timurovich controlling the pace for now.
Timurovich tries to control but Vespuci wriggling away.
Vespuci is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vespuci wants to hold on but Timurovich pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emin Timurovich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Timurovich has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emin Timurovich!