PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yoltic Connor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and wu xu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). wu xu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Connor
vs
xu

180 cm
24
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
272 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoltic Connor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, wu xu!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

xu moves into the clinch successfully.

xu lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Connor looks like he's trying to stand up.
xu wants to pass the guard but Connor is defending well.

Connor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but xu pulls his head out easily.
Connor won't allow xu to pass to mount.
xu seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

xu is trying to work for a kimura but Connor is defending well.
Connor is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
xu wants to free his trapped foot but Connor is holding on for dear life with his legs.
xu wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
xu wants to pass the guard but Connor is defending well.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - xu has eaten all the pies!
xu wants to get back to his feet.
xu trying to mount his opponent but Connor defends it.
Connor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Connor looks like he's trying to stand up.
xu works his way into side control.
Connor tries to bench press xu off him but xu keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
xu wants to stand but Connor is controlling his arm.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Connor struggling a bit here.
xu tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

xu working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Connor prevents xu from improving position.
Connor tries to bench press xu off him but xu keeps the position.
Connor prevents xu from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Connor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
xu tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
xu advances to mount.

xu is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
xu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Connor but Connor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Connor wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
xu misses with a takedown attempt - Connor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
xu looks winded!
Connor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but xu swivels and escapes.
Connor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. xu defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Connor has managed to clinch.
Connor is pressed up against the cage. xu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Connor down to the mat. Connor avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yoltic Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of wu xu.
xu tries for a takedown but Connor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
xu slaps away a takedown attempt from Connor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from xu as Connor shoots in.
xu throws a sloppy head kick and Connor moves out of range easily.
Connor goes for a double leg but xu avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as xu continues to drive forward.
Connor displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Connor tries to score a power double leg takedown but xu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Connor somewhat.
xu tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

wu xu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

xu stuffs the takedown.

Connor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

xu has picked Connor up - he's going for a ride! xu dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
xu is looking to advance position but Connor won't allow it.
Connor is trying to maintain the position but xu is very close to passing his half guard.

Connor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but xu pulls his head out easily.
xu tries to stand but can't do so whilst Connor controls his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Connor controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
xu wants to stand up but Connor is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
xu trying to pass the guard but Connor defending well.
It looks like xu is going to stand back up.
Connor controlling the position well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A head kick misses from xu.
Connor slips a jab and a cross from xu.
xu throws a shot from downtown. Connor moves away and avoids it.
Connor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Connor fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Connor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts xu as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoltic Connor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
xu misses with a takedown attempt - Connor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Connor throws a big counter combination but xu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
xu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Connor.

Connor rushes xu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Connor jumps guard and drags xu to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
xu tries to free his leg and advance position but Connor is retaining full guard.
xu wants to stand and escape but instead Connor has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Connor wants to control from the top but xu keeps moving.

xu working for submissions but it's allowed Connor to get to half guard.
Connor is looking to advance position but xu won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connor takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
xu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Connor.

Connor stands up from half guard.
xu throws a lazy right hand but Connor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Connor has xu up against the cage in a clinch.

Connor breaks from the clinch.
xu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Connor closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Connor jumps into guard, dragging xu to the mat.
xu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Connor swivels though and keeps the full guard.
xu would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
xu postures up.
xu trying to stand up but can't free himself from Connor's guard.

Connor has his foot on xu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. xu works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Connor wants to sweep but no luck.
Connor is working hard here to advance position.
xu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Connor is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoltic Connor dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Connor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
xu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Connor has had enough of the clinch but xu keeps him there for the moment.
xu wants a takedown but no success here.
xu tries to land a knee to the head but Connor blocks with his arms.
xu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Connor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Connor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Connor throws a one two combo.

It looks like wu xu has been cut.
xu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
xu lands with a kick to the temple. Connor shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Connor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with xu, pushing him back against the cage.
xu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Connor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Connor has closed the distance and engaged xu in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Connor is looking for a takedown.
xu is working for takedown but Connor is calmly controlling the position for now.
Yoltic Connor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of wu xu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Connor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Connor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as xu sprawls well. xu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Connor gets slowly back to his feet.

Connor rushes xu and presses him up against the cage.
xu is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Connor lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Connor is trying to pull guard but xu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Connor tries to break the clinch but xu is controlling the position.
Connor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connor misses with a punch on the inside.
xu can't get the takedown.
xu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Connor prevents it.
xu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Connor.

Connor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Connor tries to score a power double leg takedown but xu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Connor somewhat.
A head kick misses from xu.
Connor leaves xu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
xu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
xu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Connor rushes xu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
xu tries for a takedown but Connor manages to get underhooks.
Connor scores a nice knee to the body.
Connor pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Connor fails to pull the fight into his guard.
xu throws a knee to the head but misses.
Connor jumps guard but xu stands there with Connor around his waist. Connor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Connor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
xu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Connor prevents it.

Connor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connor throws a right and a left that xu avoids nicely.
xu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Yoltic Connor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Connor moves out of range of the body kick.
xu stuffs the takedown attempt from Connor. Connor gets slowly back to his feet.
Connor shoots in but xu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Connor shoots in for a takedown but xu shows good takedown defense.
An inside leg kick from xu misses.
Connor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. xu tries to avoid it but Connor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag xu to the ground. xu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
xu throws a head kick but Connor moves out of range.

Connor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Connor digs a right hand underneath xu's ribcage. xu let out a lung full of air as it connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoltic Connor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Connor has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoltic Connor!