PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Martin Eyre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasqez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eyre's entrance music is Domination by Pantera. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Velasqez's choice of entrance music: Gorillaz - Latin simone. On his way into the cage it seems that Martin Eyre has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Martin Eyre seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Eyre
vs
Velasqez

194 cm
29
288 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

182 cm
25
238 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Martin Eyre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cain Velasqez!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eyre swings for the body but Velasqez moves out of range.
Eyre misses with a looping left.
Martin Eyre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Eyre connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Cain Velasqez has been cut.
Velasqez just misses with a punch to the body.
Velasqez thows a body shot but no joy.
Eyre keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Eyre scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Eyre shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Velasqez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Eyre showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Velasqez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Velasqez has his foot on Eyre's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Eyre works his way back into a safe position though.
Velasqez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Eyre. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Velasqez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Eyre drops back looking for a leg! Velasqez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Velasqez manages to kick Eyre off! Eyre jumps back into Velasqez's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Velasqez working for a triangle but Eyre defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eyre passes Velasqez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasqez works his way to full guard. Good work.

Velasqez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Eyre defends it easily.
Eyre pushes down on Velasqez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Eyre is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Eyre seems to be looking for submissions.

Eyre is looking for a kimura here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Eyre is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Velasqez sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasqez is pressing down on Eyre's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Velasqez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eyre passes into half guard.

Eyre is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Velasqez is just riding it out for now. Eyre eventually gives up the hold.

Eyre is looking for a kimura but Velasqez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eyre to get the leverage.

Eyre is working for a submission of some sort.

Eyre is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Velasqez has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasqez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Velasqez is looking to improve his position.

Eyre is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Velasqez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Eyre.

Velasqez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Eyre pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Velasqez is not content to let Eyre control the position.

Eyre 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.
Velasqez is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eyre is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Velasqez is not content to let Eyre control the position.
Velasqez tries to get to full guard but Eyre has control of the leg.

Velasqez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Eyre pulls his head out easily.

Eyre 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.
Eyre is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Velasqez!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Eyre dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cain Velasqez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Eyre throws a jab when Velasqez was well out of range.
Velasqez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Eyre moves away.
Eyre darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Eyre swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Velasqez.
Velasqez walks into a jab.

That has opened up Cain Velasqez's cut even more.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Velasqez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Eyre to the ground. Velasqez is now in Eyre's guard.

Eyre working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Velasqez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Velasqez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Velasqez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eyre swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Velasqez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Velasqez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Eyre is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Eyre has escaped and now he's on top!

Velasqez has his foot on Eyre's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Eyre works his way back into a safe position though.

Velasqez looking for a guillotine here but Eyre defends easily.

Velasqez has his foot on Eyre's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Eyre works his way back into a safe position though.
Velasqez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eyre advances position into side control!
Eyre moves into full mount!

Eyre working for a guillotine from mount but Velasqez is in no mood to give up.

Eyre quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Eyre but it's paid off an Velasqez is forced to tap! Nice work by Eyre.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Martin Eyre!