PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sultan Aliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aliev's entrance music is Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal. A fine choice. Pyrrhus Epirus will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Aliev
vs
Epirus

182 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
Mohito Fightwear

AnonymouS

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sultan Aliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pyrrhus Epirus!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aliev moves in looking to clinch but Epirus pushes him off.
Epirus is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Aliev closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Aliev scores with a nice short uppercut.

Epirus manages to break the clinch.
Aliev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Epirus counters with a head kick. That will keep Aliev thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Aliev wants to clinch up but Epirus keeps it at a distance.
Aliev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Epirus counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Aliev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Epirus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Epirus raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Aliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Epirus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aliev smiles and moves away.
Sultan Aliev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aliev loads up on a big right hand but Epirus slips the punch.
Aliev fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Aliev has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Epirus circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aliev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aliev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Epirus sprawls well. Epirus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aliev gets slowly back to his feet.

Aliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Aliev wants to break the clinch but can't.

Epirus gets control of Aliev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Epirus will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Aliev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aliev is in close to Epirus's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Aliev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Epirus has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Aliev should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Epirus has tightened it up now! Aliev should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Pyrrhus Epirus!