PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alkandros Vasilios (ranked 1825 p4p, 1503 weight class) and Salvador Jimenez (ranked 123 p4p, 105 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vasilios
vs
Jimenez

165 cm
24
155
9 - 7 - 0

171 cm
22
155
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alkandros Vasilios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador Jimenez!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jimenez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jimenez throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilios.
Vasilios checks a leg kick.
Vasilios throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jimenez on the side of the head.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Jimenez has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Vasilios closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jimenez quickly recovers to half guard.
Vasilios not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jimenez is trying is best to control the position here.
Vasilios thows a huge punch but Jimenez dodges it nicely.
Vasilios trying to control from half guard but Jimenez is working away.
Vasilios thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilios content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Vasilios throwing shots but Jimenez is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasilios is thwarting Jimenez's attempts to control the position.
Jimenez holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Vasilios is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jimenez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vasilios.
Jimenez keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Jimenez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Vasilios is looking for a kimura but Jimenez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vasilios to get the leverage.
Vasilios has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Jimenez is trying to maintain the position but Vasilios is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vasilios misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Jimenez misses the target.
Vasilios appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vasilios throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jimenez on the side of the head.
Jimenez fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vasilios has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Vasilios steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jimenez.
Vasilios fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jimenez avoids it really well and circles away.
Vasilios throws a shot to the body.
Jimenez misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilios swats away the attempt to clinch by Jimenez.
Jimenez misses with a straight left.
Vasilios attempts a counter takedown but Jimenez avoids it well and moves away.
Salvador Jimenez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jimenez throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilios.
Vasilios lands a nice shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Jimenez.
Vasilios feinted with a counter takedown.
Vasilios has been working on his balance at Ragnarok\'s Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Jimenez.
Jimenez throws a hook to the side of Vasilios's head but Vasilios sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vasilios keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Jimenez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jimenez is posturing up here but Vasilios has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Jimenez tries to roll out but it's too tight and Jimenez has to tap! Slick submission there by Vasilios!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alkandros Vasilios!
An out of breath Alkandros Vasilios thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.