PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Usuk It (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bruens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

It
vs
Bruens

188 cm
20
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

168 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Usuk It!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paul Bruens!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bruens closes this distance looking for a takedown but It circles away.

It looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bruens moves into full guard.

Bruens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
It has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
It in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bruens trying to control the position.

It avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
It throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bruens controls It momentarily but It frees himself.
It loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bruens is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
It missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
It postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
It will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Bruens looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bruens looks gassed!
It landing some decent shots from guard.
It content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
It working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
It with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
It throws a big right hand that misses.
Bruens is trying to control the position but It postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as It accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
It in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
It throwing strikes but missing.
It working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bruens's head.
Bruens has momentary wrist control but It slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bruens's head.
It postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
It lands a couple of digs.
Bruens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
It with a nice head shot there.

Bruens looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
It lands a couple of elbows.
It with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
It missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Bruens had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. It is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Bruens Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take It's back instead.
It turns into Bruens and is now in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bruens looking to control.
Bruens manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. It manages to get himself to full guard.
Bruens showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bruens 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.
Bruens advances to half guard.
Bruens wants to take a breather but It is having none of it.
Bruens slows the pace down in half guard.
It has a hand on Bruens's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Bruens takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Bruens has control of It's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and It regains control of the situation pretty easily.
It can't escape the position.
It is trying to escape the mount but Bruens keeps good control and instead manages to take It's back.
It tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It is wriggling around trying to escape.
It is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
It looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
What can It do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Bruens has the hooks in. It is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

It won't enjoy being in this position. Bruens looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - It is tapping - it's over boys! Bruens picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Paul Bruens!