PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Kesler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grigorin Zaytsaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kesler
vs
Zaytsaev

200 cm
19
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

211 cm
18
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Kesler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Grigorin Zaytsaev!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zaytsaev gets a clinch.
Kesler drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zaytsaev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kesler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaytsaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kesler closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zaytsaev did well to prevent Kesler getting side control.
Kesler stops Zaytsaev from getting back to his feet.
Kesler is looking to take a break and control but Zaytsaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zaytsaev punching from the bottom.
Zaytsaev is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kesler lands with a punch from half guard.
Kesler controlling the pace.

Kesler seems to be looking for submissions.
Kesler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaytsaev tries to roll over but Kesler keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaytsaev is trying to maintain the position but Kesler is very close to passing his half guard.

Kesler 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.
Zaytsaev trying to control but Kesler postures up.
Zaytsaev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Zaytsaev actively working from the bottom here.
Kesler trying to control from half guard but Zaytsaev is working away.
Kesler wants to free his trapped foot but Zaytsaev is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kesler slips a jab from Zaytsaev.
Grigorin Zaytsaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kesler darts in and clinches Zaytsaev up against the cage.
Kesler managing to block the knees to the body from Zaytsaev.
Kesler is looking to break free of the clinch but Zaytsaev has double underhooks.
Zaytsaev is pressed up against the cage. Kesler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zaytsaev down to the mat. Zaytsaev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kesler fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Kesler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kesler checks a leg kick nicely.

Kesler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zaytsaev sprawls well initially but Kesler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Zaytsaev wants to improve his position but Kesler is controlling well.
Kesler scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zaytsaev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kesler slips a nice elbow through Zaytsaev's hands, connecting with Zaytsaev's forehead.
Kesler prevents Zaytsaev from standing back up.

Zaytsaev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaytsaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zaytsaev looks gassed!
Zaytsaev is trying to stand back up but Kesler is controlling him
Zaytsaev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kesler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kesler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Kesler there.
Zaytsaev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kesler scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kesler winds up and cracks Zaytsaev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

It looks like Grigorin Zaytsaev has been cut.
Zaytsaev taking some punishment here, with Kesler in his half guard.
Kesler has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Zaytsaev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kesler scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Zaytsaev is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kesler lands a big elbow - Zaytsaev is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Zaytsaev is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Ryan Kesler!