PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick Welsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vince Kershaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Welsh
vs
Kershaw

184 cm
27
218 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
209 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rick Welsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vince Kershaw!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Welsh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Welsh showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kershaw manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kershaw trying to keep a closed guard but Welsh is proving a slippery customer.
Welsh preventing the sweep.
Welsh thows a big elbow that misses.
Kershaw wants to sweep here but Welsh controlling him for the moment.
Welsh pushes down on Kershaw's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kershaw wants to improve his position but Welsh is controlling well.
Welsh not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Welsh is working for a kimura but Kershaw is defending it quite comfortably.
Kershaw wants to improve his position but Welsh is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kershaw's head.
Welsh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Welsh is looking for a kimura here.
Welsh not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kershaw regains full guard. Nicely done.
Welsh stays in close to Kershaw's body and controls the position.

Welsh drops back looking for a leg! Kershaw is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kershaw manages to kick Welsh off! Welsh jumps back into Kershaw's guard.
Kershaw is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kershaw working a defensive guard here.
Welsh is working Kershaw over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kershaw is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kershaw wants to improve his position but instead Welsh has moved into half guard.
Welsh missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kershaw avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Welsh.

Welsh is working for a kimura here but Kershaw manages to reverse the position and he's now in Welsh's guard.
Kershaw thows a big elbow that misses.
Kershaw scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kershaw throwing strikes but missing.

Welsh has his foot on Kershaw's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kershaw works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welsh wants to sweep here but Kershaw controlling him for the moment.

Kershaw avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kershaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Welsh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Welsh is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Welsh has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kershaw can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Welsh preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kershaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Welsh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Welsh pushes a forearm under Kershaw's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Kershaw is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rick Welsh!