PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wiremu Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cal Junior (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.

Russell
vs
Junior

175 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

220 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wiremu Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cal Junior!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell avoids the head kick by Junior.
Russell tries to clinch up but Junior circles away and keeps his distance.
Junior is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Russell feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Junior working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Russell.
Russell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Russell takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Russell stops Junior from getting back to his feet.
Junior avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russell.

Russell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Junior is trying to stand back up but Russell is controlling him

Russell seems to be looking for submissions.
Russell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Russell trying to pass the guard but Junior defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Junior does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Russell.
Russell 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.

Russell wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Junior, who protects the arm well.
Russell is breathing heavily.
Russell connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Junior some visible discomfort.
Junior defending against the ground and pound.
Russell tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Junior is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Russell goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Junior has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Russell but great work by Junior.
Russell might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Russell tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Junior wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Junior decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior lands a nice looking kick to the body. Russell takes a step back to recover.

Russell shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Russell showed some decent athleticism there.
Russell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Junior defending well though.

Russell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Junior doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russell.
Russell drops an elbow to the side of Junior's head.
Russell seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Junior is trying to stand up here but Russell is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell moves into full mount! Junior won't be happy about that!

Russell has isolated one of Junior's arms. Junior looking to fight him off but Russell twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Wiremu Russell!