PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Imanali Umarov (ranked 7227 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yousri Hlali (ranked 5413 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Umarov
vs
Hlali

179 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Imanali Umarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yousri Hlali!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Umarov misses with a head kick.
No joy there for Hlali, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Hlali tries to keep at a distance but Umarov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hlali is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Umarov is keeping busy.
Hlali using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Umarov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Umarov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hlali just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hlali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Umarov is trying to pull guard but Hlali turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umarov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hlali is defending well for now.

Umarov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hlali uses from the top position.
Hlali wants to control from the top but Umarov keeps moving.
Umarov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Umarov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Umarov trying to keep a closed guard but Hlali is proving a slippery customer.
Umarov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Umarov keeping moving, preventing Hlali from controlling successfully.
Hlali stands and throws Umarov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hlali throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Umarov looking for a sweep but Hlali has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Umarov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Umarov tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hlali jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Umarov manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Hlali has an Americana. Umarov didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Hlali is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Hlali hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Yousri Hlali!