PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Essien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Bradley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George Bradley acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Essien
vs
Bradley

175 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Essien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, George Bradley!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Essien doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bradley counters by moving into the clinch.
Bradley with a knee to the head.

Bradley has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Essien clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Essien rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Essien moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Essien 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.
Bradley showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bradley trying to control but Essien is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Essien manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bradley manages to get himself to full guard.
Bradley is trying to control the position but Essien postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. George Bradley hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Essien shoots and misses

and Bradley counters with a nice double leg into side control. Essien won't be happy with that.
Essien is trying to improve his position.
Essien can't do much from the bottom here.
Bradley takes a little break here. Essien wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Essien sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Essien is trying to control but can't.
Bradley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Bradley is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Essien tries to get to full guard but Bradley has control of the leg.
Essien is breathing heavily.

Essien actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Essien slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bradley looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Essien is on top in guard.
Bradley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Essien pushes down on Bradley's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Essien moves nicely into side control.
Essien has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bradley wants to hold on but Essien pushes him away.
Essien can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bradley is looking to escape.
Bradley is trying to escape the mount.

Essien jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Bradley manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Essien swings around for an armbar but Bradley sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Essien's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xavier Essien will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bradley shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Essien napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Essien can't do much from the bottom here.
Essien gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Essien has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bradley is working away from the top position though.
Essien makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Essien.
Essien lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bradley!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Essien moves to take his opponent's back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Essien avoiding Bradley 's attempts to control his hands.
Essien is trying to stick to Bradley's back but Bradley is turning into Essien. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Essien's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Bradley.
Bradley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Essien swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bradley wants to control from the top but Essien keeps moving.

Essien looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Bradley is defending well. Essien quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Bradley has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Essien celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Xavier Essien!