PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yury Vesnev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Enos Erikson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vesnev
vs
Erikson

170 cm
25
159 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

178 cm
30
150 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Powerful

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

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 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yury Vesnev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Enos Erikson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Erikson does no damage.
Vesnev lands a jab to the head.
Erikson tries for a takedown but Vesnev circles away easily
and Vesnev counters with a nice uppercut.

Erikson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Erikson showed some decent athleticism there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Erikson tries to pass to full mount but Vesnev defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vesnev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Vesnev pulls Erikson in close to his closed guard and prevents Erikson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Vesnev keeping moving, preventing Erikson from controlling successfully.
Erikson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vesnev is trying to control Erikson's posture but Erikson avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erikson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Vesnev is trying to improve his position.
Vesnev parries the strikes from Erikson easily there. Erikson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Vesnev to escape.
Vesnev manages to get back to half guard.
Vesnev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Erikson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vesnev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vesnev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Vesnev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Vesnev has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev wants to sweep here but Erikson controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Yury Vesnev just wasn't active enough.

Vesnev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Erikson's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to 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!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Erikson is not content to let Vesnev control the position.
Erikson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Vesnev is working away from the top position though.
Erikson manages to get to full guard.
Vesnev content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Erikson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vesnev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vesnev trying to control the position from guard on top but Erikson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Erikson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vesnev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vesnev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Erikson scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Vesnev chips away with some ground and pound.
Vesnev throwing strikes but missing.
Vesnev postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev stands and throws Erikson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Vesnev lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Erikson down.
Vesnev lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Erikson down.
Erikson is not content to let Vesnev control the position.
Erikson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Erikson tries to roll over but Vesnev keeps him under control.

Vesnev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Erikson looking for submissions from an awkward position 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 Yury Vesnev will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Erikson shoots for a takedown but Vesnev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Erikson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vesnev circles away.
Erikson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vesnev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Erikson thinking.
Yury Vesnev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enos Erikson.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt

and Vesnev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Erikson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vesnev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vesnev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Erikson is looking for a takedown.
Vesnev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vesnev tries to land a knee to the head but Erikson blocks with his arms.
Vesnev misses with a body punch.
Vesnev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev tries a knee to the head but Erikson blocks it.
Erikson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vesnev prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Vesnev fails to land.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vesnev tries a body shot but Erikson blocks it.
A left hand lands to the body for Vesnev.
Vesnev misses with a punch on the inside.
Vesnev working aggressively here.
Vesnev misses with a body punch.
Vesnev tries to throw a body punch but Erikson avoids it by throwing Vesnev back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev slowing the pace effectively.
Vesnev lands with a left to the head.
Vesnev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vesnev struggles to land a body shot inside as Erikson controls his hands.
Vesnev tries a body shot but Erikson blocks it.
Vesnev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vesnev tries a body shot but Erikson blocks it.
Vesnev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Erikson's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Vesnev as the two fighters clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Vesnev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Erikson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vesnev tries a body shot but Erikson blocks it.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Erikson goes for a takedown attempt but Vesnev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Erikson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vesnev circles away.
Vesnev throws a shot from downtown. Erikson moves away and avoids it.
Vesnev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Erikson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Erikson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Vesnev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Erikson off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erikson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Vesnev is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Erikson is in bad spot here.
Vesnev lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vesnev tries to get the hooks in deep but Erikson pushed the leg off.

Vesnev patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Vesnev keeps control of the position easily here as Erikson tries to buck him off.
Erikson staying busy and making it hard for Vesnev to control.
Vesnev loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Erikson hold on?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vesnev is looking for a choke. Erikson gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Erikson manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vesnev is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yury Vesnev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Erikson misses with a double jab.
Erikson cracks Vesnev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Erikson dodges the punch combination from Vesnev.
Enos Erikson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vesnev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Erikson closes the distance and clinches up with Vesnev, looking for a takedown. Erikson pushes Vesnev against the cage but Vesnev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vesnev misses with a body kick.
Erikson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vesnev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vesnev wants it to stay on the feet.
Yury Vesnev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enos Erikson.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt
and Vesnev counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Erikson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vesnev tries to avoid it but Erikson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vesnev to the ground. Vesnev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vesnev with a nice cross.
Vesnev cracks Erikson with an open hand slap.
Erikson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Erikson ducks right into an uppercut from Vesnev.
Vesnev connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Erikson manages to avoid it.
Vesnev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Erikson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vesnev.

Vesnev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vesnev wants to control but Erikson is keeping him busy.
Vesnev working the ground and pound.

Vesnev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Erikson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vesnev scoring with punches and elbows.
Vesnev throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Vesnev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Erikson, who protects the arm well.
Vesnev tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Yury Vesnev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erikson tries to improve position but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Erikson trying to remain calm as Vesnev controls from the top position.
Erikson struggling a bit here.
Vesnev happy to just control the position for now.
Erikson is not content to let Vesnev control the position.
Vesnev takes a little break here. Erikson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vesnev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Erikson keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yury Vesnev.
Vesnev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Erikson moves away.
Erikson misses with a takedown attempt

and Vesnev counters by moving into the clinch.
Erikson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vesnev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erikson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Erikson is looking for a takedown.
Vesnev prevents the takedown attempt.
Vesnev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Enos Erikson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Erikson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vesnev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yury Vesnev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Vesnev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yury Vesnev!
An out of breath Yury Vesnev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.