PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vance Chimaev (ranked 2823 p4p, 4281 weight class) and James Talbert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Chimaev
vs
Talbert

194 cm
25
185
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vance Chimaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Talbert!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chimaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Talbert sprawls well. Talbert wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chimaev gets slowly back to his feet.

Talbert manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Chimaev on his heels. He'll look to pass Chimaev's guard now, I'm sure.
Chimaev pulls Talbert in close to prevent any damage.

Chimaev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Talbert gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Talbert tries to stand but Chimaev is controlling from the bottom.
Chimaev wants to sweep but no luck.
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.
Talbert looking to sit in guard and control but Chimaev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Chimaev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Talbert can do anything to dispel that myth.

Chimaev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Talbert is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Talbert has escaped and now he's on top!

Chimaev punching from the bottom.
Chimaev pulls Talbert in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chimaev 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! Talbert rolls with it to try and escape but Chimaev cranks on the arm and Talbert is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vance Chimaev!