PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Essien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Fury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fury has chosen Beast ! as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Essien
vs
Fury

175 cm
27
155 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

172 cm
27
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Essien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bryan Fury!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fury stuffs the takedown attempt from Essien. Essien gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab from Fury misses.
Fury misses with a hook

and Essien counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Fury keeping full guard, as Essien tries to pass.
Essien won't allow Fury to get back to his feet.
Essien passes into half guard.
Fury wants to get back to his feet.
Essien wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fury keeps working.
Essien is looking to advance position but Fury won't allow it.
Fury wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fury pushes Essien off looking to stand but Essien dives back in and keeps control.
Fury looks gassed!
Fury wants to stand back up but Essien manages to pass into side control.
Fury is trying to get back to his feet.

Essien tries for a kimura but Fury is defending well.

Essien tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Essien wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fury keeps working.
Fury prevents Essien from moving into mount.
Fury wants to get back to his feet.

Essien tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Fury wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Essien tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Essien has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Fury is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Essien looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Essien working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fury is trying to buck Essien off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Essien tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Essien has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Essien thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fury is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Fury really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Essien. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Essien tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Fury is trying to buck Essien off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Essien is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fury knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Essien tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Essien tries for a kimura but Fury is defending well.
Fury pushes Essien away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Essien gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Essien wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fury, who protects the arm well.
Fury pushes Essien away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Essien gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Essien advances nicely into full mount.

Essien is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Fury has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Essien dominated that round.
That's time! Essien's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Essien shoots in but no luck this time.
Essien shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fury sprawls well. Fury wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Essien gets slowly back to his feet.
Fury loads up on a big right hand but Essien slips the punch.
Fury throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Essien slips a straight right by Fury.
Fury displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Essien.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Essien. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Essien shoots in looking for a takedown. Fury tries to sprawl out of it but Essien keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Fury manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fury throws a looping overhand right but Essien ducks down to avoid it.
Fury waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Essien.
Fury missing with a left hand there. Essien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Fury misses.
Essien is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fury sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fury misses with a straight left.
Fury smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fury might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Essien shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fury pinned against the ropes. Fury gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fury scores with a crisp jab that stopped Essien in his tracks.
Fury is breathing heavily.
Essien shoots in and drives through. Fury sprawls well.
Fury misses with a hook. Essien ducked under it nicely.
Fury waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Essien.
Fury throws a shot from downtown. Essien moves away and avoids it.
Xavier Essien is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Essien fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fury avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Essien or perhaps it was just good defense by Fury which made him look bad.
Essien takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fury keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fury pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fury displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Essien.
Fury moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fury misses with a straight left.
Essien defending well as Fury loads up on a big left hand.
No luck for Essien with that takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fury throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Essien sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fury misses with an uppercut. Essien saw that one coming.
Fury misses with a hook. Essien ducked under it nicely.
Bryan Fury is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Fury throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Essien moves forwards but Fury connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Essien is rocked!
A telegraphed right hand from Fury misses the target.
Oh Essien is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Essien displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fury throws out the jab.
Fury throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from Fury.
Fury throws a shot from downtown. Essien moves away and avoids it.
Fury swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Horrible takedown by Essien or perhaps it was just good defense by Fury which made him look bad.
Essien tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fury swivels and escapes.
Fury missing with a left hand there. Essien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fury looks to throw the jab but Essien is out of range.
A big left from Fury misses.
Fury throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Essien sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Essien steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fury.
Essien defending well as Fury loads up on a big left hand.
Fury is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Essien.
A swing and a miss from Fury.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Fury missing with a left hand there. Essien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Essien moves out of range of the strikes.
Essien has a takedown stuffed.
Fury looks to throw the jab but Essien is out of range.
Fury throws a hook to the side of Essien's head but Essien sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fury misses with a looping left.
Fury looks to land a left hand but Essien moved out of range nicely.
Fury throws a hook to the side of Essien's head but Essien sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fury misses with a looping left.
Essien avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fury throws a shot from downtown. Essien moves away and avoids it.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Bryan Fury seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fury swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Essien moves out of range of the strikes.
Fury throws out a loose jab but Essien uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fury throws a hook but Essien avoids it easily.
Essien defending well as Fury loads up on a big left hand.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Essien shoots for a double leg takedown but Fury sprawls well. He's pushed Essien's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Essien staying out of range there.
Essien blocks a jab.
Essien bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fury throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fury throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Bryan Fury seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Essien defending well as Fury loads up on a big left hand.
Fury throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fury misses with an uppercut.
Fury loads up on a big right hand but Essien slips the punch.
Fury misses with a hook.
Essien slips a jab from Fury.
Essien shoots in looking for a takedown but Fury manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Essien's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Essien staying out of range there.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Fury misses with a hook. Essien ducked under it nicely.
Fury throws a looping overhand right but Essien ducks down to avoid it.
Fury misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Fury throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Essien slips under a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Fury misses the target.
Fury throws a hook but Essien avoids it easily.
Fury looks to throw the jab but Essien is out of range.
Fury jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fury throws a jab when Essien was well out of range.
Fury throws a jab when Essien was well out of range.
Fury throws a hook but Essien blocks it.
Fury misses with a hook.
Fury throws a looping overhand right but Essien ducks down to avoid it.
Essien avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fury missing with a left hand there. Essien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Essien.
Fury throws a jab when Essien was well out of range.
Essien staying out of range there.
Fury throws out a loose jab but Essien uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fury throws a shot from downtown. Essien moves away and avoids it.
Fury throws a hook but Essien avoids it easily.
Fury thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fury throws a shot from downtown. Essien moves away and avoids it.
Fury missing with a left hand there. Essien was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fury is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Essien.
Horrible takedown by Essien or perhaps it was just good defense by Fury which made him look bad.
Fury looks to land a left hand but Essien moved out of range nicely.
Fury throws a hook but Essien blocks it.
Fury throws a hook but Essien blocks it.
Fury misses with a hook.
Essien slips under a jab from Fury.
Fury looks to throw the jab but Essien is out of range.
Fury is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Essien.
Fury throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fury throws a lazy right hand but Essien sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fury leaves Essien with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fury looks to land a right hand but Essien moved out of range.
Essien slips under a jab from Fury.
A slow jab from Fury misses its intended target.
Fury looks to throw the jab but Essien is out of range.
Essien uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fury.
Fury misses with a hook.
Essien avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Essien avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Essien slips under a jab from Fury.
Essien ducks under a wild hook from Fury.
Fury loads up on a big right hand but Essien slips the punch.
Essien displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fury throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Fury.
A big right from Fury misses.
Essien defending well as Fury loads up on a big left hand.
Essien bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Essien fails with a takedown attempt.
Fury throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Essien keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fury.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Fury showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Essien shoots in looking for a takedown but Fury manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Essien's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Essien seems to have got his legs back now.
Fury throws a big shot that misses.
Fury misses with a lunging right hand

and Essien counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Essien advances position into side control!
Fury prevents Essien from moving into mount.
Fury is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Essien asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Essien wants to control but Fury is keeping him busy.
Fury is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fury takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Essien has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Essien with a couple of short strikes.
Fury is squirming around, avoiding Essien's attempts to control the action.
Essien fails to advance to Fury's back.
Fury is trying to stand up.
Essien controlling from mount.
Essien can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fury is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Essien fails to advance to Fury's back.

Fury defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Essien.
Fury squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Essien lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
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!

Essien looking for a guillotine from mount but Fury is having none of it.
Essien won't let Fury get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Essien is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Fury to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Fury shrugs it off.
Essien with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Essien working for a guillotine from mount but Fury is in no mood to give up.
Fury really wants to buck Essien off and get back to his feet.
Essien looking to control but Fury is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Essien won't let Fury get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Essien can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fury is looking to escape.
Fury is bucking up trying to escape but Essien cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Fury takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Essien is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Fury can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fury wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fury stops Essien from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Essien looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Fury is trying to stand.

Essien looking for a guillotine from mount but Fury is having none of it.
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!

Fury bucks up and throws Essien to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Essien shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Essien blocks a jab.
Essien fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Essien. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fury paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Essien showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Essien has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Essien!
After winning the bout, Xavier Essien thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.