PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Owings (ranked 5233 p4p, 480 weight class) and Matt Usk (ranked 5166 p4p, 477 weight class). Matt Usk will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Owings
vs
Usk

175 cm
24
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

225 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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Arcticus University: London
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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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Owings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matt Usk!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Owings gets a takedown into half guard.
Usk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Owings's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Owings's back!
Usk is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Usk is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Owings can't escape the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Usk trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Usk avoiding Owings 's attempts to control his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owings looking very determined here, making life difficult for Usk.
I would not like to be Owings right now.

Owings defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Usk's arms.
Usk trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Usk not allowing Owings to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Usk patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Usk working for the choke.
Usk tries to get the hooks in deep but Owings pushed the leg off.
Owings might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Owings trying to control the action but Usk just sinks the hooks in.

Usk is persistently looking for the submission but Owings is defending it well.
Usk tries to keep control of the position but Owings is staying busy.

Usk has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Owings has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Owings defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Usk's arms.

Owings preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Usk.

Owings defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Usk's arms.
A lull in the action here.
Owings knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Usk on the ground.
Usk not allowing Owings to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Owings's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
We've been informed that Usk has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Usk is persistently looking for the submission but Owings is defending it well.

Usk has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Owings! Can he survive? No! He's out! Usk gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matt Usk!
A very excited looking Matt Usk made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.