PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladsislas Wshivtsev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cassius Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladsislas Wshivtsev has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wshivtsev
vs
Xavier

172 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

180 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Vladsislas Wshivtsev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cassius Xavier!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xavier avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wshivtsev stuffs the takedown attempt from Xavier. Xavier gets slowly back to his feet.

Xavier darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Wshivtsev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Xavier seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xavier is tying to control. Wshivtsev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wshivtsev manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Wshivtsev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Xavier decides to pull guard.
Wshivtsev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Xavier wants to control the position but Wshivtsev says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
It looks like Wshivtsev is going to stand back up.
Wshivtsev is thwarting Xavier's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier is looking for a sweep. Wshivtsev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Xavier tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Wshivtsev has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Wshivtsev avoids the attempt from Xavier to control.
Wshivtsev looking to control but Xavier is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Xavier tries to hold on but Wshivtsev pushes him away.
Wshivtsev controlling the pace for now.
Xavier tries to control Wshivtsev's body but Wshivtsev pushes him off. Xavier squirms to his side and now Wshivtsev has his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Wshivtsev has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Xavier trying to control but not successfully.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Wshivtsev keeps control of the position as Xavier tries to break free.
Xavier looks gassed!
Wshivtsev scores with punches and elbows.
Xavier is keeping busy.
Wshivtsev controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier is really stuck here.
Wshivtsev is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Xavier. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Xavier trying to control but not successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Xavier rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Wshivtsev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Xavier does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Xavier is looking for a sweep. Wshivtsev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wshivtsev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Xavier moves into the clinch.
Xavier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wshivtsev just stands there and leans against the cage.

Xavier pulls Wshivtsev into guard.
Xavier looking for a sweep. Not yet Xavier, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Xavier pulls Wshivtsev in close to prevent any damage.
Wshivtsev looking to pass the guard.
Xavier keeping moving, preventing Wshivtsev from controlling successfully.
Wshivtsev preventing the sweep.
Wshivtsev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wshivtsev forces his way into half guard.
Xavier is looking for a sweep. Wshivtsev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wshivtsev wants to stand up but Xavier is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cassius Xavier will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Wshivtsev moves in looking to clinch but Xavier pushes him off.
Wshivtsev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wshivtsev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xavier ducks under a wild hook from Wshivtsev.
Wshivtsev tries to clinch up.
Xavier throws a head kick that misses.
Xavier looks for a takedown but Wshivtsev sprawls well.
Xavier throws a head kick but Wshivtsev moves out of range.
Xavier circles away from the clinch attempt.

Wshivtsev clinches up with Xavier and pushes him back against the cage.
Xavier takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wshivtsev looking to throw knees to the head but Xavier is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wshivtsev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Xavier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wshivtsev stalling in the clinch.

Xavier jumps into guard, dragging Wshivtsev to the mat.
Xavier trying to keep a closed guard but Wshivtsev is proving a slippery customer.
Wshivtsev is looking to stand up but Xavier won't let him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier trying to control the position.
Wshivtsev preventing the sweep.
Xavier is controlling Wshivtsev's posture.

Wshivtsev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Wshivtsev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Wshivtsev looking to sit in guard and control but Xavier gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Wshivtsev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Xavier throws a sloppy head kick and Wshivtsev moves out of range easily.

Wshivtsev has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wshivtsev with a knee to the head.
Xavier fails to pull guard.
Vladsislas Wshivtsev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cassius Xavier.
Wshivtsev landing knees to the body.
Wshivtsev looking to throw knees to the head but Xavier is blocking nicely.
Wshivtsev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wshivtsev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Xavier fails to pull guard.
The referee calls for Wshivtsev to work.
Xavier takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wshivtsev lands a knee to the head.
Wshivtsev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Xavier fails to pull guard.
Wshivtsev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wshivtsev stalling in the clinch but Xavier improves position.
Xavier tries to pull guard but Wshivtsev won't allow it.
Xavier is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wshivtsev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Xavier is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wshivtsev looking to throw knees to the head but Xavier is blocking nicely.
Xavier jumps guard but Wshivtsev stands there with Xavier around his waist. Xavier gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Xavier jumps guard and drags Wshivtsev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Wshivtsev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Xavier's guard.
Xavier 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Wshivtsev is looking to work some ground and pound but Xavier has wrist control.
Wshivtsev postures up.

Wshivtsev stands up from Xavier's guard - Wshivtsev perhaps looking for a knockout.

Xavier shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Xavier was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wshivtsev is trying to stand up.
Xavier takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Wshivtsev wants to control but Xavier is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier prevents Wshivtsev from getting the reversal.
Wshivtsev is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Wshivtsev is looking to get to half guard.
You get the feeling that Wshivtsev really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Wshivtsev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Wshivtsev is working hard here to advance position.
Wshivtsev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Wshivtsev wants to get back to full guard.
Xavier is tying to control. Wshivtsev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wshivtsev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Wshivtsev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xavier doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xavier manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Xavier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vladsislas Wshivtsev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Xavier misses with a head kick.
Xavier throws a head kick that misses.
Wshivtsev doesn't manage to clinch there - Xavier circles away.
Wshivtsev wants to clinch

and Xavier counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Wshivtsev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Xavier postures up.

Wshivtsev looking for a guillotine here but Xavier defends easily.
Wshivtsev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wshivtsev stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Wshivtsev tries to clinch but Xavier moves away

and Xavier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Wshivtsev!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wshivtsev is working to get back to half guard.
Xavier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wshivtsev is looking to escape.
Xavier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wshivtsev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Xavier postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Wshivtsev looks a forlorn figure.
Xavier sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Xavier tries to control but Wshivtsev wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wshivtsev wants to hold on but Xavier pushes him away.
Wshivtsev is in all sorts of trouble here.
Wshivtsev regains half guard.
Wshivtsev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Xavier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Xavier avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Xavier tries to free his leg and advance position but Wshivtsev is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier won't allow Wshivtsev to sweep him here.
Wshivtsev is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Wshivtsev stuffs the takedown attempt from Xavier. Xavier gets slowly back to his feet.

Wshivtsev rushes Xavier and presses him up against the cage.
Wshivtsev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Xavier tries to pull guard but Wshivtsev won't allow it.

Xavier pulls guard effortlessly.

Wshivtsev stands and steps away. Xavier gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wshivtsev tries to clinch but Xavier moves away

and Xavier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Wshivtsev!
Xavier tries to control but Wshivtsev wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wshivtsev tries to lock up and control but Xavier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Wshivtsev regains half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Xavier in particular looking to stall.

Wshivtsev has one foot on Xavier's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Wshivtsev clinches but Xavier breaks the clinch

and Xavier counters with a single leg into guard. Wshivtsev didn't expect that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wshivtsev controls Xavier momentarily but Xavier frees himself.
Xavier looking to sit in guard and control but Wshivtsev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cassius Xavier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Xavier has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cassius Xavier!