PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toran Roth (ranked 2282 p4p, 3692 weight class) and Joseph Telushikin (ranked 321 p4p, 488 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Roth
vs
Telushikin

176 cm
31
174
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
36
179
9 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Fast

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Toran Roth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joseph Telushikin!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Telushikin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Roth's guard.
Roth thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Telushikin working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Roth keeping moving, preventing Telushikin from controlling successfully.

Roth is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Telushikin trying to control but Roth is working from the bottom.

Telushikin drops back looking for a leg! Roth is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Roth manages to kick Telushikin off! Telushikin jumps back into Roth's guard.
Telushikin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Telushikin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Roth is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Telushikin defends well.
Telushikin passes Roth's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roth looking for submissions off his back.
Roth missing with punches from the bottom.
Telushikin is looking to advance position but Roth won't allow it.

Telushikin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Roth doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Telushikin.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Roth is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Telushikin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Telushikin's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Telushikin trying to control but not successfully.
Telushikin is trying to break free.

Roth is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Telushikin knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Telushikin for a finish.
I really don't envy Telushikin right now.
Telushikin trying to control the hands but Roth breaks the grip.

Roth is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Roth is hanging on to Telushikin's back as he tries to escape.
Telushikin wants to control his opponent's hands but Roth gets his hands free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Telushikin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Roth.
Roth is not going to allow Telushikin to sit and survive in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Telushikin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Roth is persistently looking for the submission but Telushikin is defending it well.
Telushikin is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Roth is not going to allow Telushikin to sit and survive in this position.
Roth misses with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roth looking to break Telushikin's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Telushikin remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Roth will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Telushikin fending off the submission attempt from Roth.
Roth controlling well, preventing Telushikin from escaping the position.

Roth is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Telushikin is defending well though. Roth let's go of the attempt for now.
Telushikin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Roth's guard. Nice work there by Telushikin.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Roth escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Telushikin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Roth keeping moving, preventing Telushikin from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toran Roth dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Telushikin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Roths jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Telushikin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Roth in his tracks.
Roth looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice jab there from Telushikin.
Telushikin misses with a takedown attempt - Roth sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Roth appears to be looking for a big counter.
Roth tries to work over Telushikin's front leg with a kick but Telushikin checks it.
Roth shoots in and drives through. Telushikin sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Telushikin dives in for a single leg takedown but Roth sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Roth walks into a left hand.
Telushikin throws a good cross that connects.
A left and a right from Roth both land. Nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Telushikin shoots for a double leg takedown but Roth sprawls well. He's pushed Telushikin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Toran Roth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Telushikin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roth tries to clinch there but Telushikin circles away.
Telushikin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Roth as he avoids it easily.
Telushikin scores with a jab. Roth acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Roth looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Telushikin misses with a right hand
and Roth connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A big right from Telushikin misses.
Roth tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Telushikin manages to circle out of the way.
Telushikin tries to bum rush Roth with a series of wild strikes but Roth uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Roth takes one on the button.
Roth shoots in looking for a takedown but Telushikin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Roth's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Telushikin shoots in for a takedown but Roth shows good takedown defense.
Roth keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Telushikin.
Telushikin shoots in for a double leg but Roth sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Roth takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Telushikin dives in for a single leg takedown but Roth sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Telushikin is breathing heavily.

Roth shoots in and gets a takedown into Telushikin's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roth trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roth looking to pass the guard.
Roth throws a big right hand that misses.
Roth preventing the sweep.
Roth with a flurry of punches that miss.

Roth 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.
Roth trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Telushikin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Roth's guard.

Roth trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Roth keeping moving, preventing Telushikin from controlling successfully.
Telushikin throwing strikes from guard but Roth blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roth wants to sweep here but Telushikin controlling him for the moment.
Roth keeping moving, preventing Telushikin from controlling successfully.

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

Roth stopping the sweep attempt from Telushikin.
Roth has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Roth postures up in Telushikin's guard and throws a big left but Telushikin blocks it.
Toran Roth overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Telushikin trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Telushikin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Roth is aware though and is defending well.

Roth 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.
Telushikin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Roth manages to get himself to full guard.

Roth wants to stand but Telushikin is controlling the position.
Telushikin won't allow Roth to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Telushikin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joseph Telushikin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Oooooh!!! Roth has knocked Telushikin down with a huge combo! Roth steps away and waves a wobbly Telushikin back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Telushikin is still looking wobbly from the end of the last round!

It looks like Joseph Telushikin has been cut.
Roth avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Telushikin is still on wobbly legs! Can Roth finish him?

Roth scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Telushikin is looking to control Roth's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Telushikin avoid being mounted?

Roth is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Telushikin wants to control but Roth is keeping busy.

Roth is working for a kimura but Telushikin is defending it quite comfortably.

Roth wants to work for an arm triangle but Telushikin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Telushikin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Telushikin seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Telushikin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Roth pulls his head out easily.

Telushikin is defending against the submission attempts here by Roth.
Telushikin is trying to get back to full guard.
Telushikin is trying to maintain the position but Roth is very close to passing his half guard.
Telushikin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Roth is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Telushikin defends it well.
Telushikin wants to improve his position but Roth is controlling well.
Telushikin keeps trying to improve his position.
Roth throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Telushikin trying to control from the bottom.

Roth is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Telushikin wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roth is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Telushikin trying to hold on to Roth's head to control him but Roth postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Telushikin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Roth keeping moving, preventing Telushikin from controlling successfully.

Roth looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Telushikin has picked Roth up and slammed him! Roth can't keep hold of the triangle and Telushikin manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roth striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Roth is trying to buck Telushikin off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Telushikin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Roth is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Telushikin off and has taken his back!

Telushikin defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Telushikin lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toran Roth showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Roth has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toran Roth!
A victorious Toran Roth thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.