PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gibesi Aymeric (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vernon Reid (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.

Aymeric
vs
Reid

190 cm
28
216 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

185 cm
22
214 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gibesi Aymeric!
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, Vernon Reid!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aymeric wants to clinch up but Reid keeps it at a distance.

Aymeric closes the distance and pushes Reid back into the cage.
Aymeric has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Reid after a bit of a struggle.
Reid is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Reid is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Aymeric gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Aymeric has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Reid clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Reid manages to reverse the position and now he's in Aymeric's guard. Nice work there by Reid.

Reid avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Aymeric is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Reid pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aymeric is keeping the position for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

Aymeric escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Reid gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Reid looking to pass the guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reid wants to pass the guard but Aymeric is keeping the position.
Aymeric can't keep his opponent in guard - Reid advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Aymeric pushes Reid off looking to stand but Reid dives back in and keeps control.
Aymeric is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aymeric slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Aymeric looking for a sweep. Not yet Aymeric, not yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Reid slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Aymeric is looking to regain half guard here but Reid keeps moving and retains side control.
Reid prevents Aymeric from escaping the position.
Reid trying to control the action but Aymeric is working from the bottom.

Reid is trying to get an arm triangle but Aymeric is defending well.
Aymeric is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Reid's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aymeric looking for submissions off his back.
Aymeric works his way to full guard. Good work.
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!

Aymeric has his foot on Reid's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Reid works his way back into a safe position though.
Aymeric is breathing heavily.
Reid stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aymeric swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reid stands and throws Aymeric's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Reid moves into full mount!
Aymeric is desperately trying to improve his position but Reid has a good base and remains in mount.
Aymeric sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Reid works his way into full mount!

Reid working for a guillotine from mount but Aymeric is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Reid can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Aymeric is looking to escape.
Aymeric is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Reid looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Reid trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Aymeric is wriggling around trying to escape.

Reid jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Aymeric manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Reid tries for a kimura but Aymeric is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reid wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aymeric keeps working.
Aymeric is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Aymeric gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Aymeric is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aymeric is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gibesi Aymeric dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Aymeric shoots in for a takedown but Reid shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Aymeric fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aymeric tries to clinch there but Reid circles away.

Aymeric clinches with his opponent.
Aymeric can't get the takedown.
Reid stops a takedown attempt from Aymeric.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gibesi Aymeric. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aymeric is trying to drag Reid to the mat but Reid just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Aymeric gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Reid.
Reid is working for takedown but Aymeric is calmly controlling the position for now.
Aymeric drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reid pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gibesi Aymeric seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aymeric closes the distance looking to clinch

and Reid counters with a shoot takedown. Aymeric fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aymeric has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reid can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Aymeric throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Aymeric keeping full guard, as Reid tries to pass.

Aymeric looking for a guillotine here but Reid defends easily.

Aymeric has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reid can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aymeric keeping full guard, as Reid tries to pass.
Reid passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Reid is looking to take a break and control but Aymeric is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Reid passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Aymeric!
Aymeric is desperately trying to improve his position but Reid has a good base and remains in mount.

Reid looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reid prevents Aymeric from getting the reversal.
Gibesi Aymeric overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Reid is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Aymeric can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Reid prevents Aymeric from getting the reversal.
Reid tries to control but Aymeric wriggling away.
Aymeric is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reid looking to control but Aymeric is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Reid working for a submission but Aymeric is keeping him at bay.
Reid tries to control but Aymeric wriggling away.
Aymeric is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reid tries to control but Aymeric wriggling away.
Aymeric is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reid wants to control the pace but Aymeric is squirming around nicely.
Aymeric is looking to improve his position but Reid isn't that keen on the idea.

Reid working for a guillotine from mount but Aymeric is in no mood to give up.

Reid has control of Aymeric's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Aymeric regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Reid looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reid prevents Aymeric from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vernon Reid showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Aymeric's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Aymeric closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Reid is trying to improve his position.

Aymeric is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Reid is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Aymeric is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Reid is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Reid is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Aymeric off and has taken his back!
Reid doesn't have the hooks in and Aymeric manages to turn into his guard.
Reid is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Reid looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Reid is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
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!

Aymeric looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reid moves nicely into side control.
Aymeric is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Aymeric is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Aymeric is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Reid pulls his head out easily.

Reid 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.
Reid is trying to control the action in half guard but Aymeric is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reid moves into full mount! Aymeric won't be happy about that!
Aymeric can't escape the position.

Reid with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Reid looking to secure an arm triangle but Aymeric defends it well.
Reid trying to control but Aymeric is having none of it.
Reid prevents Aymeric from getting the reversal.
Aymeric bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Aymeric drops back looking for a leg! Reid is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Reid manages to kick Aymeric off! Aymeric jumps back into Reid's guard.
Reid manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric regains half guard.
Aymeric is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Aymeric is not content to let Reid control the position.
Aymeric gets back to full guard.
Aymeric wants to sweep here but Reid controlling him for the moment.
Aymeric keeping moving, preventing Reid from controlling successfully.
Aymeric keeping full guard, as Reid tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aymeric is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Reid is aware though and is defending well.
Reid passes Aymeric's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Aymeric is looking to improve his position.
Reid is trying to control the action in half guard but Aymeric is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Reid is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Reid wants to finish this one by submission but Aymeric is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Reid.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aymeric keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Reid looking to control but Aymeric is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Reid jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Aymeric manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Aymeric is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Reid's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vernon Reid.
I think Reid has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vernon Reid!