PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Artem Bessmertin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riel Dan Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reyes has chosen Bad House Music ('98 Dub Mix) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bessmertin
vs
Dan Reyes

189 cm
27
183 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

180 cm
32
173 lbs
27 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artem Bessmertin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Riel Dan Reyes!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bessmertin wants to clinch.
Bessmertin throws a front kick aimed at Reyes's knee but Reyes avoids it well.
Reyes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bessmertin finds it's way round the side to connect with Reyes's head.
Nice uppercut lands for Reyes. That snapped Bessmertin's head back.
Bessmertin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reyes was well out of range. Poor timing from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin stuffs the takedown attempt from Reyes. Reyes gets slowly back to his feet.
Reyes looks to throw the jab but Bessmertin is out of range.
Bessmertin thumps Reyes with a low kick.
Bessmertin is looking to clinch.
Reyes blocks a leg kick.
A jab from Reyes finds it's way through Bessmertin's defenses.
Reyes misses the jab.
Reyes darts in looking for a takedown but Bessmertin gets double underhooks and turns Reyes into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin displaying some good clinch control by pressing Reyes up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Reyes.
Bessmertin is struggling to control the position.
Nice body punch from Reyes - that landed with a thud.
Bessmertin working aggressively here.
Reyes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reyes taking a breather.
Reyes blocks an uppercut.
I was talking to Bessmertin's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bessmertin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Reyes has clasped his hands together around Bessmertin's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Reyes trying to control the action but Bessmertin is working from the bottom.
Bessmertin is looking to regain half guard here but Reyes keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes wants to control but Bessmertin is keeping him busy.
Reyes scoring with punches from side control.
Reyes working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reyes wants to control for a moment but Bessmertin uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Bessmertin desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Reyes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reyes lands strikes from half guard.
Bessmertin is concentrating on defense, preventing Reyes from advancing position.
Bessmertin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Reyes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Reyes's back!
Reyes tries to roll but Bessmertin sticks to his back.
Bessmertin connects with a big shot to the side of Reyes's head.
Bessmertin missing with strikes.
Reyes rolls, trying to escape but Bessmertin keeps control of the position.
Reyes is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Bessmertin is not going to allow Reyes to sit and survive in this position.
Reyes wants to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reyes avoids the strikes from Bessmertin.
Reyes is covering up but some of the strikes from Bessmertin are getting through and doing damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reyes tries to escape the position.
Reyes is still trying to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bessmertin trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Reyes doesn't escape.
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 Artem Bessmertin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bessmertin staying out of range there.

Bessmertin gets the takedown into side control.
Bessmertin takes a little break here. Reyes wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Reyes has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Reyes wants to control but Bessmertin postures up.
Reyes is trying to get back to half guard.
Bessmertin in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
You can see the frustration on Reyes's face as Bessmertin controls the position.
Reyes is looking for a sweep.
Bessmertin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Reyes keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin controlling the position from side mount.
Bessmertin working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Bessmertin working away.
Bessmertin wants to control but Reyes is keeping him busy.
Bessmertin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Reyes is looking for a sweep.
Bessmertin trying to control the position but Reyes is working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Artem Bessmertin.
Bessmertin connects with a looping right hand.
Bessmertin throws a series of punches but Reyes moves out of range.
Reyes slips a jab from Bessmertin.
Reyes takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Reyes lands a two punch combo.
Reyes throws a lazy uppercut

and Bessmertin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bessmertin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reyes looking to slow down the pace here.
Bessmertin has a couple of punches blocked by Reyes.
Reyes pushes off an throws an elbow but Bessmertin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bessmertin gets through Reyes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes tries to land knees in the clinch but Bessmertin avoids the damage to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bessmertin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bessmertin swings wildly with an uppercut but Reyes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bessmertin looking to stall.
Bessmertin has Reyes pressed against the cage, preventing Reyes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch on the inside from Bessmertin fails to land.
Reyes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Reyes is trying to pull guard but Bessmertin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bessmertin prevents a body shot from Reyes.
Reyes wants to break the clinch but can't.
A left hand lands to the body for Reyes.
Bessmertin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bessmertin misses with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Bessmertin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Bessmertin.
Reyes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Reyes blocks a body shot from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin is trying to maintain a safe position but Reyes gets an underhook and turns Bessmertin into the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bessmertin.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bessmertin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Reyes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Reyes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Reyes tries to throw a body punch but Bessmertin avoids it by throwing Reyes back against the cage.
Reyes lands with a light punch inside.
Bessmertin misses with a body punch.
Reyes prevents a body shot from Bessmertin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bessmertin lands with a light punch inside.
Reyes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bessmertin.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Reyes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bessmertin defending well as Reyes loads up on a big left hand.
Reyes looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bessmertin avoids the body shot from Reyes.
Reyes walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Reyes looks to score with a jab to the body but Bessmertin is just out of range.
Reyes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Reyes throws a hook to the side of Bessmertin's head but Bessmertin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reyes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reyes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reyes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Reyes misses with an uppercut.
Bessmertin connects with the punch.

Bessmertin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes tries to roll over but Bessmertin keeps him under control.
Bessmertin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Reyes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bessmertin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bessmertin's back!
Artem Bessmertin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes punishes Bessmertin with strikes from the back mount.
Reyes is not going to allow Bessmertin to sit and survive in this position.
You can see the frustration on Bessmertin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Bessmertin rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bessmertin wants to control but Reyes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bessmertin regains full guard. Nicely done.
Reyes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bessmertin 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.
Reyes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bessmertin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bessmertin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Reyes is trying to control the position but Bessmertin postures up.
Bessmertin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Reyes working a defensive guard here.
Bessmertin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bessmertin wants to control from the top but Reyes keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bessmertin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Reyes keeping moving, preventing Bessmertin from controlling successfully.

Artem Bessmertin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Bessmertin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bessmertin showed some decent athleticism there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, if Bessmertin is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin clearly takes 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. This is the final round!

Bessmertin throws a one two combo.
Bessmertin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jab from Reyes.
Reyes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bessmertin sprawls well. Bessmertin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Reyes gets slowly back to his feet.
Good shot there by Reyes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bessmertin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Reyes shoots in and drives through. Bessmertin sprawls well.
Bessmertin throws a right and a left that Reyes avoids nicely.
Bessmertin just misses with a punch to the body.
Reyes jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bessmertin closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Reyes's guard.
Bessmertin trying to control the position from guard on top but Reyes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reyes 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.
Bessmertin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reyes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bessmertin being controlled here momentarily.
Bessmertin throws an elbow that misses. Reyes uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bessmertin's guard. Nice move by Reyes!
Reyes throws an elbow that misses. Bessmertin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reyes's guard. Nice move by Bessmertin!
Artem Bessmertin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes 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.
Reyes is trying to control the position but Bessmertin postures up.
Reyes keeping moving, preventing Bessmertin from controlling successfully.
Riel Dan Reyes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bessmertin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Reyes is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Bessmertin is really struggling to control Reyes but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Reyes 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Artem Bessmertin.
Bessmertin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bessmertin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bessmertin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Reyes misses with a wild body shot.
Reyes lands a right hook to the body.
Bessmertin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A lazy left from Bessmertin finds it's target.
Bessmertin lands with a good body shot.
Reyes takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Reyes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bessmertin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bessmertin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Reyes momentarily.
Reyes loads up on a big right hand but Bessmertin slips the punch.
Reyes just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reyes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Donk. Bessmertin catches Reyes right on the button with a cross.
Reyes throws a right and a left that Bessmertin avoids nicely.

Bessmertin clinches up with Reyes and pushes him back against the cage.
Reyes has a couple of punches blocked by Bessmertin.
Reyes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reyes tries to circle away but Bessmertin has him pinned against the cage.
Nice body punch from Bessmertin - that landed with a thud.
Reyes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Artem Bessmertin.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bessmertin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 40:38
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 40:38
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 40:37

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Bessmertin!
A very excited looking Artem Bessmertin made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.