PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franck Essieu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Remo Bryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Essieu
vs
Bryan

182 cm
25
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Franck Essieu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Remo Bryan !
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bryan moves into the clinch.

Essieu is fighting off a takedown attempt but Bryan is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Essieu to the mat. Essieu regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Bryan advances to half guard.
Bryan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Essieu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bryan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Essieu won't allow Bryan to pass to mount.
Bryan content to control rather than advance.
Essieu manages to get to full guard.
Bryan wants to pass the guard but Essieu is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Essieu keeping moving, preventing Bryan from controlling successfully.
Bryan content to stall in guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bryan 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bryan looking to pass the guard.
Bryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Essieu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bryan won't allow Essieu to sweep him here.
Bryan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bryan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Bryan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Essieu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Essieu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bryan on the ground.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bryan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Bryan working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bryan is looking to take a break and control but Essieu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bryan is trying to get an arm triangle but Essieu is defending well.
Essieu stops Bryan from passing to mount.

Bryan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bryan working away.
Bryan trying to control the action but Essieu is working from the bottom.
Essieu tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Essieu is trying to buck Bryan off.
Essieu prevents Bryan from moving into mount.
Bryan trying to control the action but Essieu is working from the bottom.
Essieu tries to improve position but can't.

Bryan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Essieu has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bryan trying to control the position but Essieu is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Essieu is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Remo Bryan dominated that 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.

No luck for Bryan with that takedown attempt.
Essieu slaps away a takedown attempt from Bryan , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Essieu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bryan defends well and Essieu ends up having to push Bryan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Bryan rushes Essieu and presses him up against the cage.

Bryan pulls guard effortlessly.

Essieu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Essieu trying to control but Bryan is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bryan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Essieu is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bryan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bryan trying to control but Essieu is working from the bottom.

Essieu looking for subs off his back but Bryan has passed one foot through into half guard.

Bryan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Bryan 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.

Bryan wants to work for an arm triangle but Essieu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bryan wants to work for an arm triangle but Essieu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bryan wants to free his trapped foot but Essieu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bryan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Essieu keeps working.
Bryan is pressing down on Essieu's thigh, looking to free his foot. Essieu is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryan passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Essieu!
Bryan is trying to take his opponent's back.
Bryan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bryan forces the positional change into back control.

Bryan working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Essieu is doing well to defend. Bryan seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Essieu is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Remo Bryan !