PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giampaolo Turturro (ranked 508 p4p, 75 weight class) and Sultan Yusupov (ranked 1256 p4p, 183 weight class). Giampaolo Turturro had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Turturro
vs
Yusupov

185 cm
26
203 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

181 cm
26
208 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Woodhouse's

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Giampaolo Turturro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sultan Yusupov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Turturro moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Turturro fails to pull guard.
Turturro is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yusupov to keep the fight standing.
Yusupov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Turturro pulls guard effortlessly.
Yusupov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Turturro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yusupov wants to control from the top but Turturro keeps moving.
Turturro is pulling down on Yusupov's head to control his posture.
Yusupov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Turturro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Turturro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Yusupov is one step ahead there.
Yusupov wants to control from the top but Turturro keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Turturro is looking for a triangle but Yusupov pushes his legs off easily.
Yusupov tries to free his leg and advance position but Turturro is retaining full guard.
Turturro is trying to keep Yusupov in close.
Yusupov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turturro is keeping the position for now.

Turturro is looking for a triangle but Yusupov pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yusupov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yusupov passes Turturro's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Yusupov is trying to work for a kimura but Turturro is defending well.
Yusupov wants to pass the guard but Turturro is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Turturro is trying to maintain the position but Yusupov is very close to passing his half guard.
Yusupov wants to free his trapped foot but Turturro is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Yusupov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Turturro sees it coming and defends easily.
Turturro tries to roll over but Yusupov keeps him under control.
Yusupov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Turturro is working to get back to half guard.

Yusupov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Turturro has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Yusupov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Turturro is surviving well by controlling Yusupov's body position as best he can.
Yusupov wants to take Turturro's back here but Turturro is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov wants to control the pace but Turturro is squirming around nicely.
Turturro sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Yusupov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Turturro doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yusupov.
Turturro gets back to full guard.

Turturro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yusupov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yusupov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Turturro managing to control the position.

Turturro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Yusupov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yusupov trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yusupov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Turturro wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Yusupov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Yusupov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turturro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Yusupov stopping the sweep attempt from Turturro.
Turturro lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Turturro wants to control from the top but Yusupov keeps moving.
Turturro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sultan Yusupov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Turturro tries to close the distance and clinch but Yusupov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Turturro has closed the distance and engaged Yusupov in a clinch.

Yusupov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Turturro moves into the clinch.
Yusupov misses with a punch to the body.
Turturro jumps guard but Yusupov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Turturro tries to pull guard but Yusupov holds him up against the cage and eventually Turturro drops back down to his feet.
Yusupov slows down the pace here.
Turturro is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yusupov to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giampaolo Turturro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yusupov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yusupov cracks a nice hook into Turturro's ribs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yusupov. Turturro does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Turturro clinches up with Yusupov and pushes him back against the cage.
Turturro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yusupov walks away with a smile on his face. Turturro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yusupov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Yusupov counters with a straight right hand.
Turturro has been working on his balance at ELITE Island Gym - 19 Elite Coaches, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Yusupov.

Turturro darts in and clinches Yusupov up against the cage.
Turturro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yusupov walks away with a smile on his face. Turturro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Turturro tries to clinch but Yusupov moves away
and Yusupov counters with a nice uppercut.
Turturro tries to clinch but Yusupov moves away
and Yusupov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Turturro closes the distance but Yusupov moves to the side
and Yusupov counters with a nice uppercut.
Turturro on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Turturro clinches with his opponent.
Turturro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yusupov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Turturro has him pressed against the cage.
Turturro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Turturro is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Yusupov to keep the fight standing.
Turturro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stalling in the clinch from Yusupov.
Yusupov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Turturro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yusupov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yusupov taking a breather.
Yusupov taking a breather.

Turturro pulls guard.
Turturro is trying to control the position but Yusupov postures up.

Turturro is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yusupov is aware though and is defending well.
Turturro trying to keep a closed guard but Yusupov is proving a slippery customer.
Yusupov trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov stopping the sweep attempt from Turturro.

Turturro looking for a guillotine here but Yusupov defends easily.
Turturro can't keep his opponent in guard - Yusupov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Yusupov is working for a kimura but Turturro is defending it quite comfortably.
Turturro is pressing down on Yusupov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yusupov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Turturro's guard.
Sultan Yusupov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turturro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Yusupov wants to free his trapped foot but Turturro is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turturro is refusing to be controlled, as Yusupov sits in half guard.
Yusupov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Turturro knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Yusupov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've been informed that Yusupov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Yusupov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Turturro is just riding it out for now. Yusupov eventually gives up the hold.
Yusupov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Turturro actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yusupov works his way into side control.
Turturro is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Yusupov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sultan Yusupov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Turturro tries to move into range but Yusupov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yusupov scores with a jab.
Turturro tries to clinch but Yusupov moves away
and Yusupov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Turturro closes the distance looking to clinch
and Yusupov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yusupov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Turturro closes the distance but Yusupov moves to the side
and Yusupov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Turturro thinking.

Turturro closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Turturro has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Yusupov uses from the top position.

Yusupov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yusupov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Yusupov trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yusupov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Turturro looking to control.
Yusupov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turturro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turturro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Yusupov pushes down on Turturro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Turturro trying to control but Yusupov postures up.

Turturro actively working from the bottom here.
Yusupov wants to take a breather but Turturro is having none of it.
Giampaolo Turturro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yusupov prevents Turturro from improving his position.

Yusupov is looking for a kimura but Turturro is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Yusupov to get the leverage.
Turturro works his way to full guard. Good work.
Yusupov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Turturro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Yusupov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Turturro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Yusupov defends it easily.
Yusupov tries to free his leg and advance position but Turturro is retaining full guard.

Turturro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Yusupov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Yusupov trying to control the position from guard on top but Turturro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sultan Yusupov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turturro wants to sweep here but Yusupov controlling him for the moment.
Turturro being controlled here, momentarily.
Turturro controls Yusupov momentarily but Yusupov frees himself.

Turturro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yusupov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four 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.
Turturro working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Turturro moves to clinch but Yusupov breaks away
and Yusupov counters with a nice body shot.

Turturro drives through and clinches with Yusupov against the cage.

Turturro decides to pull guard.
Yusupov tries to free his leg and advance position but Turturro is retaining full guard.
Turturro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Yusupov controls the pace.
Turturro wants to sweep here but Yusupov controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Turturro is looking for a triangle but Yusupov pushes his legs off easily.
Yusupov is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sultan Yusupov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Yusupov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sultan Yusupov!
A very excited looking Sultan Yusupov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.