PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between li Wang (ranked 24569 p4p, 24586 weight class) and Esad Chimaev (ranked 641 p4p, 637 weight class). li Wang has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wang
vs
Chimaev

182 cm
19
177
0 - 7 - 0

198 cm
21
175
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, li Wang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Esad Chimaev!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Darius Henderson and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wang ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Wang forces Chimaev back against the cage and clinches.
Wang prevents a takedown attempt there.
Chimaev prevents a body shot from Wang.

Wang manages to break the clinch.
Chimaev shoots in for a takedown but Wang shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wang attempts a counter takedown but Chimaev avoids it well and moves away.

Wang gets a clinch.
Wang wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Wang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Chimaev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chimaev thumps Wang with a low kick.
Wang looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A bone on bone clash there as Chimaev blocks the leg kick.
Chimaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wang's waist but Wang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chimaev off to one side.
li Wang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esad Chimaev.
Wang throws a head kick that misses.

Wang gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wang pulls his leg out and moves away.

Wang rushes Chimaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Chimaev keeps control of Wang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Wang breaks the clinch.

Wang darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Chimaev wants to improve his position but Wang is controlling well.
Wang is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Wang seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Chimaev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wang thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Chimaev's head.
Wang thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Wang is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Chimaev is just riding it out for now. Wang eventually gives up the hold.
Chimaev is trying to control but can't.

Wang is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wang stalling.
Chimaev is looking for a sweep. Wang is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Chimaev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wang wants to stand and escape but instead Chimaev has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chimaev won't allow Wang to sweep him here.
Chimaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Wang has wrist control.
Chimaev trying to control but Wang is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wang is breathing heavily.
Wang avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Chimaev.
Wang is refusing to be controlled, as Chimaev sits in half guard.

Chimaev is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wang is staying active underneath Chimaev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wang taking some punishment here, with Chimaev in his half guard.

Chimaev maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Wang could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Chimaev has cracked it and Wang is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Chimaev!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Esad Chimaev!