PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jari Edwards (ranked 3798 p4p, 3821 weight class) and Mr Taliban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Edwards
vs
Taliban

191 cm
18
214
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
18
200
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jari Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mr Taliban!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards stuffs the takedown attempt from Taliban. Taliban gets slowly back to his feet.
As Taliban tries to get set, Edwards tries to push him back and clinch up but Taliban manages to avoid the attempt.
Taliban closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Taliban is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Edwards gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Taliban counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Taliban.
Taliban is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Taliban ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Taliban no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Edwards has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Taliban is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Edwards defends well.
Taliban manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Edwards manages to get himself to full guard.

Taliban controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Taliban has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Taliban throws a big elbow that misses.

Taliban stands up and waves to Edwards to follow him.

Taliban moves into the clinch.
Edwards tries to circle away but Taliban has him pinned against the cage.

Taliban jumps into guard, dragging Edwards to the mat.
Edwards trying to control but Taliban is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taliban wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Taliban working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Edwards doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Edwards manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Edwards is fighting to break Taliban's control of his arms but Taliban is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Edwards looking to sit in guard and control but Taliban gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taliban passes Edwards's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Taliban seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Edwards knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taliban on the ground.
Taliban takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Taliban missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Taliban is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Edwards is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mr Taliban!