PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taitesena Animai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cletus Cassidy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cletus Cassidy is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Animai
vs
Cassidy

186 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taitesena Animai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cletus Cassidy!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cassidy feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Animai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Animai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Animai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Animai looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

Animai is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cassidy is aware though and is defending well.
Cassidy trying to control the position from guard on top but Animai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Animai is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cassidy defends well.
Cassidy wants to stand but Animai is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cassidy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Animai has his foot on Cassidy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cassidy works his way back into a safe position though.
Cassidy wants to get up but he can't break Animai's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Animai can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cassidy controls the pace.
Cassidy postures up.
Animai is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cassidy is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Taitesena Animai.
Cassidy throws a head kick that misses.
Cassidy is looking to clinch but Animai is avoiding it.
Animai fails with a takedown attempt.
Cassidy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Animai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cassidy swinging wildly here.
Cassidy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Cassidy drives through with a takedown into guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Animai throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cassidy tries to stand but Animai is controlling from the bottom.

Animai working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cassidy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cassidy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Animai is breathing heavily.

Animai working for a triangle but Cassidy defends it easily.
Cassidy tries to stand but Animai is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Animai is looking to sinch up a triangle. Cassidy throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Animai's body to avoid the submission. Animai has instead reached around Cassidy's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Animai arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Taitesena Animai!