PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tigyu Solih (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boston Russell (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.

Solih
vs
Russell

176 cm
21
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tigyu Solih!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boston Russell!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Solih will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Solih misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Russell fails with the takedown

and Solih counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russell is looking to escape.
Russell tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Solih manages to move to mount!
Russell wants to try and get back to his feet.
Solih cracks Russell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Solih landing shots from mount.
Russell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Russell sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Solih wants to lay and pray for a moment but Russell keeps working.
Russell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Solih scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Solih connects with a nice short shot to Russell's temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell wants to improve his position but Solih is controlling well.
Solih lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solih drops an elbow to the side of Russell's head.
Russell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Russell.

Solih stands up and waves to Russell to follow him.
Russell shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Solih decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Russell's guard.
Solih has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Solih is breathing heavily.
Solih working some strikes from top position.
Solih won't allow Russell to sweep him here.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Solih from controlling successfully.

Russell is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Russell tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tigyu Solih has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boston Russell.
Good body shot from Solih.
Solih lands a left hand.
A hook to the body from Solih.
Solih wants a takedown but no success here.

Solih tightens his grip and picks Russell up, before dumping him to the ground. Russell manages to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Solih keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Russell's head.
Solih throws and elbow that misses. Russell uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Solih's guard. Nice move by Russell!
Solih looking for a sweep. Not yet Solih, not yet.
Solih trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solih striking off his back but it's not causing Russell any problems.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Solih looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Russell throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Russell postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Russell shoots in and bounces Solih off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Russell won't allow Solih to sweep him here.
Russell lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Russell wanted to stand there but Solih had control of the position.
Solih throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Solih has a closed guard, preventing Russell from standing up.

Russell decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Solih, up you get!
Solih misses with a takedown

and Russell moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell misses with a knee strike.
Russell tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Russell has hold of one of Solih's legs. Solih is fighting the takedown attempt but Russell gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Solih wants to sweep here but Russell controlling him for the moment.
Solih wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Russell is now in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Russell lands a nice short elbow.
Solih pushes Russell off looking to stand but Russell dives back in and keeps control.
Solih is trying to get back to full guard.
Russell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Solih has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Russell is working away from the top position though.
Russell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Russell wants to stand up but Solih is controlling the position.
Solih controlling the position for now.
Solih is trying to stand back up but Russell is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Russell there.
Solih gets back to full guard.
Solih striking off his back but it's not causing Russell any problems.
Solih controlling Russell's posture.
Solih on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Solih tries to get out of the position.

Solih manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Solih clinches.
Russell gets underhooks to prevent Solih's takedown attempt.
Solih works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Solih has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Russell regains guard immediately.
Solih lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Solih landing some decent shots from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Solih scoring with punches to the head and body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell wants to get back to his feet but Solih is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Solih trying to control the position from guard on top but Russell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tigyu Solih dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Russell fails with the takedown

and Solih counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Solih is thwarting Russell's attempts to control the position.
Russell manages to get to full guard.
Solih distracts Russell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Russell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Russell is thwarting Solih's attempts to control the position.
Solih is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Russell scores with a couple of nice shots.
Solih is pressing down on Russell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Russell is in close to Solih's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russell advances to half guard.
Solih on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Solih punching from the bottom.
Russell scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Solih is rocked!
Solih wants to improve his position but Russell is controlling well.
Oh Solih is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Russell winds up and cracks Solih with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell slows the pace down in half guard.
Russell is nestled in close to Solih, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Russell is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Russell decides to stand and escape the position.
Tigyu Solih is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Solih moves out of range as Russell throws a body kick.
Solih seems to have got his legs back now.
Russell scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Solih closes the distance but Russell moves to the side

and Russell counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Russell gets to his feet - Solih follows without any prompting.

Solih looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Russell!
Tigyu Solih overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Solih punishing his opponent with strikes.
Solih working the ground and pound effectively.
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!
Russell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Russell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solih putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Russell really wants to buck Solih off and get back to his feet.
Solih scoring with strikes but Russell is staying in there.
Russell can't escape the position.
Solih lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Russell hang on?
Solih with shots to the head and body - Russell looks very uncomfortable down there.
Solih scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Russell?
Russell really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Russell taking shots to the head.
Solih raining down shots from the mount!
The referee warns Russell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Solih.
Solih in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Solih connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Russell throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Russell tries to stand but Solih is controlling from the bottom.

Russell drops back looking for a leg! Solih is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Solih manages to kick Russell off! Russell jumps back into Solih's guard.
Russell trying to control but Solih is working from the bottom.
Solih wants to sweep but no luck.

Russell stands and steps away. Solih gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Russell looks for a takedown but Solih sprawls well.
Solih doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Russell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Solih tries to get to full guard but Russell has control of the leg.
Russell winds up and cracks Solih with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Russell slips a nice elbow through Solih's hands, connecting with Solih's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solih gets full guard.

Solih has his feet on Russell's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Solih drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solih slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Russell is trying to control the position but Solih postures up.
Russell wants to stand but Solih is controlling the position.

Russell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Solih won't allow Russell to get back to his feet.
Solih preventing the sweep.
Solih trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Solih's guard.

Russell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A head kick misses from Russell.

Solih drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
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 Tigyu Solih will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Solih moves out of range of the leg kick from Russell.
Solih tries to clinch up but Russell circles away and keeps his distance.
Solih shoots and misses

so Russell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Russell is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Solih is keeping the position.
Solih throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Solih looking to control.
Solih trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Solih wants to sweep but no luck.
Solih lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Russell!
Solih connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Russell regains half guard.
Russell gets back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russell keeping full guard, as Solih tries to pass.
Russell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Solih's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell gets to his feet - Solih follows without any prompting.

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Solih tries to score a body lock takedown but Russell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good body shot from Solih.
Russell scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Russell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Solih wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tigyu Solih. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell tries to score a body lock takedown but Solih shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Solih is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Russell can't fight it off and eventually Solih manages to take the fight to the floor. Russell looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Solih throws a strike but Russell rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Russell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Solih throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Russell counters with a nice body kick.
Russell lands a head kick. Solih smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Solih tries for a takedown but Russell circles away easily

and Russell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Solih won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell controlling the position.
Solih is trying to control Russell's posture but Russell avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Solih keeps working.
Solih is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Russell off and has taken his back!
Solih cracks Russell with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Russell from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Solih scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Russell is looking for a way out.
Solih gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Solih scores with strikes from the back.
Solih scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Solih scores with strikes from the back.
Russell wants to get back to his feet.
Solih looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Russell controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Solih has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Russell.
Russell tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is trying to escape the mount.
Russell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Solih prevents Russell from standing back up.
Russell has hold of Solih's hands but Solih slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Solih frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Russell is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Solih unloading with bombs!
Russell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Russell sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Russell pushes Solih off looking to stand but Solih dives back in and keeps control.
Solih wants to take a breather but Russell is having none of it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Solih lands a nice short elbow.
Solih looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Solih stops Russell from getting back to his feet.
Solih working the head and body with strikes.
Solih looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Russell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Solih decides to return to a standing position.

Solih gets a takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Solih there.
Boston Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Russell looking for submissions off his back.

Solih escapes and gets back to his feet.
Russell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Russell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Russell closes the distance and clinches.
Russell prevents the takedown attempt.

Russell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Russell drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Solih tries to buck Russell off but Russell is having none of it.
Solih is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Boston Russell.
I think Solih has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!