PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Oleksandr Usyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tedy Bolec (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Usyk
vs
Bolec

155 cm
25
132 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

155 cm
25
131 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Oleksandr Usyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tedy Bolec!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usyk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Bolec with that takedown attempt.
Usyk is looking for a counter combo.
Usyk fails to land with a series of punches.

Bolec closes the distance and clinches.
Bolec just leaning against Usyk, taking a breather.
Usyk trying to control the position but instead, Bolec has worked for underhooks and has pushed Usyk into the cage.
Usyk tries to circle away but Bolec has him pinned against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolec lands a hook to the side of the head.
Usyk throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bolec blocks it with crossed arms.
Usyk has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Bolec manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolec wants to sweep but no luck.
Usyk trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bolec's guard.
Bolec wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bolec is looking to sweep but instead, Usyk has passed into half guard.
Usyk thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bolec is doing well to control the position and prevent Usyk from advancing to side control.
Usyk wants to control but Bolec is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Usyk content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Bolec looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bolec flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bolec throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Usyk's waist but Usyk gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bolec off to one side.
Oleksandr Usyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tedy Bolec.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bolec looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolec tries for a takedown but Usyk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Usyk changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Usyk doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bolec counters by clinching up.

Bolec manages to break the clinch.
Usyk tries for a takedown but Bolec sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And Bolec tries to counter it with a takedown but Usyk pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bolec lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Usyk backs up against the cage.

It looks like Oleksandr Usyk has been cut.

Bolec instigates a clinch.
Usyk has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Usyk taking a breather.
Bolec has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Usyk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Usyk is working for takedown but Bolec is calmly controlling the position for now.
Usyk working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bolec breaks from the clinch.
Usyk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bolec moves away.

Usyk tries to sprawl but Bolec drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Usyk kicks Bolec off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usyk slaps away a takedown attempt from Bolec, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bolec looks winded!

Bolec clinches with his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Usyk has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bolec wants a takedown but no success here.

Bolec successfully pulls guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tedy Bolec dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oleksandr Usyk's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Usyk fails to land with a series of punches.
Usyk throws a jab but it's blocked by Bolec.
Usyk with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bolec counters with a left and a right that stings Usyk.

Usyk is rocked!
Usyk misses with a head kick.
And Bolec tries to counter it with a takedown but Usyk pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Oh Usyk is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice takedown defense from Usyk. No joy for Bolec on that attempt.
Usyk throws a big counter combination but Bolec scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Usyk seems to have got his legs back now.
Bolec defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Usyk.
Bolec steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Usyk.
Usyk will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bolec tries to counter with a clinch but Usyk shakes him off and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleksandr Usyk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Usyk closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolec looks for a takedown but Usyk sprawls well.
Usyk tries for a takedown but Bolec circles away easily
and Bolec counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolec shoots in for a takedown but Usyk shows good takedown defense.

Bolec gets a clinch.

Bolec pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Usyk doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bolec counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No luck for Bolec with that takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bolec or perhaps it was just good defense by Usyk, which made it look bad.
Bolec lands a head kick!
Bolec lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usyk keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bolec scores with a head kick. Usyk tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Usyk is looking to clinch but Bolec is avoiding it.
Bolec misses with a takedown attempt - Usyk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Usyk misses with a takedown attempt - Bolec sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bolec fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Usyk, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bolec has Usyk pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Bolec pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Usyk tumbling to the mat - Bolec dives into Usyk's guard.
Bolec is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bolec really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Usyk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Usyk has a closed guard, preventing Bolec from standing up.
Bolec stays in close to Usyk's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bolec stopping the sweep attempt from Usyk.
Bolec must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Usyk pushes Bolec off and gets back to his feet.
Bolec scores with a nice body kick.
Usyk gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Bolec to counter with a crisp jab.
Bolec lands a slapping body shot.
Usyk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bolec avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tedy Bolec showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Oleksandr Usyk's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bolec clinches up with Usyk and pushes him back against the cage.
Bolec using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Bolec is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Usyk can't fight it off and eventually Bolec manages to take the fight to the floor. Usyk looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Usyk looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bolec trying to control the position from guard on top but Usyk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Usyk pulls Bolec in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Usyk is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Bolec rolls with it to try and escape but Usyk cranks on the arm and Bolec is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Oleksandr Usyk!