PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Viliamu Seumanutafa (ranked 4059 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bekzat Sersekbayev (ranked 5442 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Seumanutafa
vs
Sersekbayev

182 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Viliamu Seumanutafa!
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, Bekzat Sersekbayev!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Anthony Taglia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sersekbayev rushes Seumanutafa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sersekbayev is trying to pull guard but Seumanutafa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sersekbayev is pressed up against the cage. Seumanutafa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sersekbayev down to the mat. Sersekbayev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Seumanutafa.
Sersekbayev throws a lazy body kick
and Seumanutafa counters with an outside leg kick.
Sersekbayev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Seumanutafa fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viliamu Seumanutafa. 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.
Sersekbayev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Seumanutafa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sersekbayev somewhat.
Sersekbayev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sersekbayev clinches up with Seumanutafa and pushes him back against the cage.
Sersekbayev is trying to pull guard but Seumanutafa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Sersekbayev pulls Seumanutafa into guard.
Sersekbayev wants to stand and escape but Seumanutafa is having none of it.
Seumanutafa wants to control from the top but Sersekbayev keeps moving.
Seumanutafa throws a big right hand that misses.
Sersekbayev keeping moving, preventing Seumanutafa from controlling successfully.

Seumanutafa 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sersekbayev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Seumanutafa moves in looking to clinch but Sersekbayev pushes him off.
Sersekbayev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Seumanutafa as he avoids it easily.
Seumanutafa closes the distance and clinches up with Sersekbayev, looking for a takedown. Seumanutafa pushes Sersekbayev against the cage but Sersekbayev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Seumanutafa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sersekbayev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seumanutafa shoots in for a takedown but Sersekbayev shows good takedown defense.
Seumanutafa is breathing heavily.
Sersekbayev tries for a takedown but Seumanutafa circles away easily
and Seumanutafa counters with a right hand to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Seumanutafa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sersekbayev throws a counter combo.
Seumanutafa with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Sersekbayev counter with a right hand.

Sersekbayev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Seumanutafa, pushing him back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Sersekbayev breaks from the clinch.
Seumanutafa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sersekbayev.
Nice sprawl there from Seumanutafa as Sersekbayev shoots in.
Seumanutafa shoots in looking for a takedown. Sersekbayev tries to sprawl out of it but Seumanutafa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sersekbayev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown but Seumanutafa shows good takedown defense.
Seumanutafa is looking to clinch.
Sersekbayev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Seumanutafa looks for a takedown but Sersekbayev sprawls well.
Sersekbayev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Seumanutafa tries a head kick but it misses.
Sersekbayev tries to counter by closing the distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sersekbayev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Seumanutafa but Seumanutafa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Seumanutafa leaves Sersekbayev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bekzat Sersekbayev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck for Seumanutafa with that takedown attempt.
Viliamu Seumanutafa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Seumanutafa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Seumanutafa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Seumanutafa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sersekbayev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Seumanutafa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sersekbayev has closed the distance and engaged Seumanutafa in a clinch.
Seumanutafa misses with a punch on the inside.
Sersekbayev stalling against the cage.
Seumanutafa fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sersekbayev is trying to break the clinch but Seumanutafa has him pressed against the cage.
Seumanutafa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Seumanutafa is trying to pull guard but Sersekbayev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viliamu Seumanutafa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sersekbayev tries to break free but Seumanutafa pushes him back against the cage.
Sersekbayev pressing his opponent against the cage.

Sersekbayev manages to pull guard.
Sersekbayev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sersekbayev trying to control the position here.

Sersekbayev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Seumanutafa is aware though and is defending well.

That's two 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.

Sersekbayev working for submissions but it's allowed Seumanutafa to get to half guard.
Sersekbayev preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Sersekbayev kicks off Seumanutafa and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Seumanutafa.
Seumanutafa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sersekbayev's waist but Sersekbayev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Seumanutafa off to one side.

Sersekbayev instigates a clinch.
Seumanutafa tries to score a body lock takedown but Sersekbayev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Seumanutafa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sersekbayev.
Still in the clinch, Sersekbayev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sersekbayev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Seumanutafa's efforts to push away.
Sersekbayev tries to break the clinch but Seumanutafa is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seumanutafa swings wildly with an uppercut but Sersekbayev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Seumanutafa avoiding damage as Sersekbayev throws knees to the body.
Sersekbayev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Seumanutafa wants to get back to striking at distance but Sersekbayev won't allow it.
Seumanutafa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sersekbayev is keeping busy.

Seumanutafa jumps guard and drags Sersekbayev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sersekbayev tries to free his leg and advance position but Seumanutafa is retaining full guard.
Sersekbayev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Seumanutafa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Seumanutafa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sersekbayev is aware though and is defending well.
Seumanutafa keeping full guard, as Sersekbayev tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bekzat Sersekbayev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sersekbayev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sersekbayev throws a body kick that misses.

Sersekbayev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Seumanutafa, pushing him back against the cage.
Seumanutafa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sersekbayev just stands there and leans against the cage.

Sersekbayev pulls guard successfully.
Sersekbayev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sersekbayev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sersekbayev pulls Seumanutafa in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Seumanutafa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sersekbayev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Seumanutafa wants to control from the top but Sersekbayev keeps moving.
Seumanutafa is looking to stand up but Sersekbayev won't let him.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Sersekbayev takes the fight into the clinch.
Sersekbayev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Seumanutafa to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sersekbayev blocking some punches.
Seumanutafa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sersekbayev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sersekbayev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Seumanutafa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viliamu Seumanutafa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sersekbayev is trying to pull guard but Seumanutafa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Sersekbayev jumps guard.
Sersekbayev wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Sersekbayev working for a triangle but Seumanutafa defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seumanutafa postures up in Sersekbayev's guard and throws a big left but Sersekbayev blocks it.
Seumanutafa trying to control but Sersekbayev is working from the bottom.
Sersekbayev controlling the position.
Sersekbayev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Seumanutafa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sersekbayev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Seumanutafa has managed to get both his arms back between Sersekbayev's legs - danger averted.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Seumanutafa scores with a kick to the midsection.
Seumanutafa swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sersekbayev rushes Seumanutafa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Seumanutafa is trying to force a seperation but Sersekbayev has the dominant position.

Seumanutafa breaks the clinch.
Sersekbayev shoots in and drives through. Seumanutafa sprawls well.
Seumanutafa plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sersekbayev closes the distance and clinches.
Seumanutafa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Viliamu Seumanutafa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bekzat Sersekbayev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sersekbayev has Seumanutafa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Seumanutafa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bekzat Sersekbayev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sersekbayev 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bekzat Sersekbayev!