PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Beslan Isaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Palhares
vs
Isaev

178 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Beslan Isaev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Isaev leaves Palhares with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Isaev throws a head kick that misses.
Isaev shoots in for a takedown but Palhares shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Palhares fails to land the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Palhares as Isaev shoots in.

Isaev moves into range and clinches up with Palhares.
Isaev stops a takedown attempt from Palhares.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palhares is trying to drag Isaev to the mat but Isaev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Isaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Palhares manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Palhares wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares avoiding damage as Isaev throws knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Isaev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Isaev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Isaev is trying to break the clinch but Palhares has him pressed against the cage.
Isaev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Palhares.

Isaev breaks the clinch.
Palhares leaves Isaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Palhares shoots for a double leg takedown but Isaev sprawls well. He's pushed Palhares's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Isaev.
Palhares swats away the attempt to clinch by Isaev.
Palhares shoots in and drives through. Isaev sprawls well.

Isaev moves into range and clinches up with Palhares.
The referee calls for Isaev to work.
Palhares is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Isaev pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Isaev jumps guard and drags Palhares to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Isaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palhares drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Isaev manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Palhares has Isaev in his guard.

Palhares is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Isaev defends well.

Palhares looking for a guillotine here but Isaev defends easily.

Palhares looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Palhares has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Isaev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Palhares is breathing heavily.

Palhares looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Isaev passes into side control.
Palhares is looking to reverse the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Isaev throws an elbow but Palhares slips to the side and avoids it well.
Palhares wants to control but Isaev postures up.
Isaev taking a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Antonio Palhares will probably get the nod.
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.

Palhares fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Isaev misses with a takedown attempt - Palhares sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Palhares is defended easily by Isaev.

Isaev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Palhares is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Isaev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Isaev content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Palhares actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isaev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Palhares looking for submissions off his back.

Palhares looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Isaev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Palhares is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Isaev pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares trying to hold on to Isaev's head to control him but Isaev postures up.
Isaev tries to stand and escape but Palhares is controlling the position.
Isaev trying to control the action but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Palhares is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Isaev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Isaev's back!

Isaev showing good submission defense here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Palhares is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Isaev wants to escape the position.

Palhares working for the choke.
Antonio Palhares overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isaev wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Isaev trying to control but not successfully.

Palhares is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Isaev is defending well though. Palhares let's go of the attempt for now.
Palhares has the hooks in. Isaev is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Palhares is working for a rear naked choke. Isaev is not defending it well and Palhares has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Isaev refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Isaev's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Antonio Palhares!