PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Umaru Usman (ranked 4466 p4p, 4497 weight class) and Jorge Vasvidal (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.

Usman
vs
Vasvidal

189 cm
18
190
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
179
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Umaru Usman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorge Vasvidal!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Usman moves into the clinch.
Usman wants to break free but Vasvidal has control.
Vasvidal prevents Usman from breaking the clinch.
Usman misses with an elbow strike.
Vasvidal is trying to drag Usman to the mat but Usman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Vasvidal is trying to trip Usman. He has hold of a leg but Usman is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Vasvidal persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Usman lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Vasvidal has an active guard here but Usman has managed to pass into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usman wants to take a breather but Vasvidal is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Usman in particular looking to stall.
Usman uses his free foot to push down on Vasvidal's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Vasvidal.
Vasvidal really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vasvidal wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Usman.
Vasvidal holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Usman tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Usman jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Vasvidal is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Vasvidal and Usman has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Vasvidal is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Usman is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usman working away.

Usman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vasvidal knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Usman moves into full mount!

Usman working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Usman controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usman avoids the attempt from Vasvidal to control.
Usman wants to control but Vasvidal has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vasvidal has a hand on Usman's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Usman takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Usman gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Vasvidal drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usman is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Vasvidal has gone for a leg lock! Usman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Vasvidal's guard.

Usman controls from within his opponent's guard.
Vasvidal pulls Usman in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Usman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Umaru Usman dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Usman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vasvidal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Usman digs a good hook to Vasvidal's body.
Usman doesn't manage to clinch there - Vasvidal circles away.
Vasvidal wants to clinch
letting Usman counter with a right hand.

Usman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vasvidal quickly recovers to half guard.
Vasvidal wants to get back to full guard.
Vasvidal preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Usman tries to stand but can't do so whilst Vasvidal controls his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasvidal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Usman scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usman is trying to control the action in half guard but Vasvidal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Usman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Usman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vasvidal defending well though.
Usman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vasvidal defending well though.
Usman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vasvidal can do to turn this around?
Vasvidal is refusing to be controlled, as Usman sits in half guard.
Vasvidal desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Usman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two 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.
Usman throwing shots but Vasvidal is blocking nicely.
Vasvidal won't allow Usman to pass to mount.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vasvidal tries to get to full guard but Usman has control of the leg.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Usman misses with a leg kick.

Usman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vasvidal sprawls well initially but Usman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Usman wants to control but Vasvidal is keeping him busy.
Usman tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Vasvidal.
Vasvidal keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Usman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Vasvidal defends it well.
Usman slips a nice elbow through Vasvidal's hands, connecting with Vasvidal's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vasvidal is trying to control but can't.

Usman decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Vasvidal fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Usman to the ground. Vasvidal is now in Usman's guard.
Usman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Usman tries to strike from the bottom.
Umaru Usman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vasvidal trying to control but Usman is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Usman is pulling down on Vasvidal's head to control his posture.
Usman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Usman decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vasvidal decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Vasvidal with the ground and pound but Usman uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Umaru Usman dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vasvidal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Usman but Usman pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Vasvidal clinches up against the cage.

Vasvidal is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Usman can't fight it off and eventually Vasvidal manages to take the fight to the floor. Usman looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vasvidal stops Usman from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Usman wriggles free and stands up.
Vasvidal moves to clinch but Usman breaks away

and Usman counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Vasvidal is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Usman presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasvidal is working for takedown but Usman is calmly controlling the position for now.
Usman gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Vasvidal.
Umaru Usman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Vasvidal.

Usman breaks from the clinch.

Usman gets a double leg takedown into Vasvidal's guard.
Vasvidal wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Usman manages to pass to side control.

Usman tries to pass to full mount but Vasvidal defends it.
Usman frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Usman with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Vasvidal bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usman keeping moving, preventing Vasvidal from controlling successfully.

Usman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vasvidal forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usman is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vasvidal's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vasvidal's back!
Vasvidal trying to control but not successfully.
Usman is controlling the position but Vasvidal somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Vasvidal is looking for a sweep. Usman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Usman seems to be working for a kimura but Vasvidal defends the submission attempt.

Usman has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Vasvidal defend it? Usman steps over the head and cranks it - Vasvidal is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Usman!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Umaru Usman!