PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Urias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Essien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Urias's entrance music is Here comes the BOOM. A fine choice. Michael Essien looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Urias
vs
Essien

180 cm
20
181 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Convicted

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Miguel Urias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Essien!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Essien decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Urias looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Urias is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Essien's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Essien's back!
Essien wants to control his opponent's hands but Urias gets his hands free.

Essien defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Urias's arms.
Urias is not going to allow Essien to sit and survive in this position.
The referee is taking a good look at Essien as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Urias!
Urias keeps control of the position as Essien tries to break free.
Urias scores with strikes from the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Essien is keeping busy.

Urias working for the choke.
Essien really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Urias. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Essien defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Urias's arms.

Essien showing good submission defense here.
Essien trying to control the action but Urias just sinks the hooks in.
Essien rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Essien looks gassed!
Urias sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Essien defending well though.

Urias is working for a kimura but Essien is defending it quite comfortably.
Urias 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.

Urias is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Urias is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Essien doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Urias.
The fighters are battling for position here. Essien manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Urias is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Essien looking for a sweep. Not yet Essien, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Urias is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Urias trying to control the position from guard on top but Essien is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Essien looking to hit a scissor sweep but Urias is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Essien shoots in for a double leg but Urias sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Urias closes the distance and clinches.
Essien goes for a takedown attempt but Urias pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Urias scores with a takedown into Essien's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Essien is trying to control the position but Urias postures up.
Urias postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Essien utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Urias distracts Essien with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Essien is looking to stand up but Urias isn't so interested in that idea.
Urias works over Essien with some ground and pound from guard.
Urias throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Urias drops back looking for a leg! Essien is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Essien manages to kick Urias off! Urias jumps back into Essien's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Urias tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Urias misses with a takedown

and Essien counters with a nice double leg into side control. Urias won't be happy with that.
Essien wants to control but Urias is keeping him busy.
Urias manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Urias flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Urias manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Essien stopping the sweep attempt from Urias.
Essien pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Urias is keeping the position for now.
Essien is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Miguel Urias overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Urias looking for a guillotine here but Essien defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Urias looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Urias looking for a guillotine here but Essien defends easily.

Urias pushes a forearm under Essien's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Essien is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Miguel Urias!