PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Neil Walker (ranked 4627 p4p, 4630 weight class) and Tyron Cirkunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Walker
vs
Cirkunov

225 cm
23
177
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
170
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Neil Walker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyron Cirkunov!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walker stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Walker wants it to stay on the feet.
Cirkunov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Walker circles away quickly and effectively.
Walker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cirkunov's waist but Cirkunov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Walker off to one side.
Cirkunov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cirkunov fails to land the takedown.
Walker misses with a takedown attempt - Cirkunov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cirkunov tries for a takedown but Walker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Neil Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyron Cirkunov.

Walker gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Walker.
Walker is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cirkunov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Walker jumps guard.
Walker pulls Cirkunov in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Walker working for a triangle but Cirkunov defends it easily.
Cirkunov throwing strikes but missing.
Walker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Walker is working hard here to advance position.
Walker has Cirkunov pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cirkunov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Walker working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cirkunov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cirkunov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Walker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cirkunov.

Cirkunov darts in and clinches Walker up against the cage.

Walker manages to break the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cirkunov.

Cirkunov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Walker, who protects the arm well.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker tries to improve position but can't.
Walker manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Walker decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Cirkunov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Walker swivels and escapes.
Walker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cirkunov.
Walker tries to counter by clinching up but Cirkunov breaks away and moves out of range.
Cirkunov looks winded!
Walker stalks Cirkunov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cirkunov's face. Cirkunov staggers backwards, shaken.
Walker misses with a low kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Walker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cirkunov throws a solid leg kick but Walker takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cirkunov.
Cirkunov shoots for a takedown but Walker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Cirkunov. No joy for Walker on that attempt.
Cirkunov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Walker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cirkunov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Walker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cirkunov pinned against the cage. Cirkunov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cirkunov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Walker sprawls well. Walker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cirkunov gets slowly back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Walker dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Walker shoots in for a takedown but Cirkunov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A nice side step and Cirkunov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Walker tries to clinch up.
Cirkunov fails with the takedown.
Cirkunov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Walker.
Cirkunov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Walker shoots for a takedown but Cirkunov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neil Walker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cirkunov fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cirkunov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Walker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cirkunov sprawls well. Cirkunov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Walker gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker shoots in and drives through. Cirkunov sprawls well.
Cirkunov misses with a head kick.
Cirkunov fails with a takedown attempt.
Cirkunov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cirkunov wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Walker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cirkunov.
Walker dives in for a single leg takedown but Cirkunov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Walker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Cirkunov trying to land knees to the body.
Cirkunov is looking for a takedown.
Cirkunov tries to land knees in the clinch but Walker avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker is looking for a takedown.
Cirkunov has had enough of the clinch but Walker keeps him there for the moment.
Cirkunov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Cirkunov has eaten all the pies!
Walker is looking for a takedown.
Cirkunov lands with a right to the head.

Cirkunov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Walker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cirkunov avoids it really well and circles away.
Walker fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cirkunov shoots in and drives through. Walker sprawls well.

Walker closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cirkunov has had enough of the clinch but Walker keeps him there for the moment.
Cirkunov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cirkunov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cirkunov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Walker just stands there and leans against the cage.

Cirkunov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Walker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cirkunov's waist but Cirkunov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Walker off to one side.

Walker gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Walker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Walker dives in for a single leg takedown but Cirkunov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cirkunov gets underhooks to prevent Walker's takedown attempt.

Cirkunov successfully pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cirkunov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cirkunov is trying to keep Walker in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cirkunov wants to stand and escape but Walker is having none of it.
Cirkunov 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.
Cirkunov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cirkunov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Walker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyron Cirkunov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Walker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cirkunov is looking for the big counter here.
Walker shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cirkunov counters with a one-two to the body.
Walker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cirkunov but Cirkunov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neil Walker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cirkunov tries to clinch up
and Walker counters with a nice uppercut.
Neil Walker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cirkunov tries to clinch up but Walker circles away and keeps his distance.
Walker jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Cirkunov throws a low kick but Walker avoids it.
Cirkunov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Walker dives in and grabs Cirkunov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cirkunov pushes down on Walker's head and hops out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Cirkunov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cirkunov wants to take the fight to the mat but Walker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Walker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cirkunov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cirkunov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Walker walks away with a smile on his face. Cirkunov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cirkunov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Walker closes the distance and clinches.
Walker tries to pull guard but Cirkunov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cirkunov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Walker after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cirkunov pulls guard effortlessly.
Walker throws a big elbow that misses.
Walker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cirkunov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cirkunov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Cirkunov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Walker uses it to pass to side control.

Walker decides to stand back up. Walker steps back and let's Cirkunov get back to his feet.
Walker dives in for a single leg takedown but Cirkunov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cirkunov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cirkunov looking to stall.
Cirkunov being controlled against the cage.
Walker tries a body shot but Cirkunov blocks it.
Cirkunov misses with a knee strike.
Cirkunov misses with a body punch.
Cirkunov prevents the takedown attempt.
Cirkunov tries for a takedown but Walker manages to get underhooks.
Cirkunov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Walker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Walker decides to pull guard.
Cirkunov wants to stand but Walker has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Cirkunov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Walker has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cirkunov has managed to get both his arms back between Walker's legs - danger averted.
Neil Walker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Walker is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cirkunov is aware though and is defending well.
Walker keeping moving, preventing Cirkunov from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Walker is pulling down on Cirkunov's head to control his posture.
Cirkunov won't allow Walker to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tyron Cirkunov.
I think Cirkunov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight for Neil Walker!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Neil Walker!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Tyron Cirkunov!

Neil Walker wins by split decision!