PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franek Polel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Polel
vs
Russo

195 cm
19
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

171 cm
19
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Franek Polel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Russo!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Russo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Russo trying to move into half guard but instead Polel has managed to sweep!

Polel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Russo is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Polel, into his guard.
Russo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Polel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
Russo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Polel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo prevents Polel from getting back to his feet.
Polel wants to sweep here but Russo controlling him for the moment.
Russo landing some decent shots from guard.
Russo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russo with a nice head shot there.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Polel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Polel's brow.

Polel is rocked!
Russo is stalling in the full guard.
Russo throwing strikes from guard but Polel blocks nicely.
Russo landing some decent shots from guard.
Russo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Polel is keeping the position for now.
Russo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Polel's head.
Polel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Russo chips away with some ground and pound.
Oh Polel is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Russo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Polel controls Russo momentarily but Russo frees himself.
Russo trying to control but Polel is working from the bottom.
Polel is trying to keep Russo in close.
Polel seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Russo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Polel keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Russo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Russo preventing the sweep.
Polel is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Polel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Russo stands up over Polel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Polel's brow.
Russo trying to control but Polel is working from the bottom.
Polel being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Russo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Polel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Russo chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polel keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Polel keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo working some strikes from top position.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Russo landing some decent shots from guard.
Russo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Polel working a defensive guard here.
Russo arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Polel's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Ryan Russo!