PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Grigor Dimitrov (ranked 4645 p4p, 389 weight class) and Lucien Kessler (ranked 3101 p4p, 0 weight class). Lucien Kessler is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dimitrov
vs
Kessler

195 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Grigor Dimitrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lucien Kessler!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dimitrov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kessler looking for submissions off his back.
Dimitrov is looking to take a break and control but Kessler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kessler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kessler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dimitrov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Kessler is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dimitrov pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dimitrov tries to stand and escape but Kessler is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kessler actively working from the bottom here.
Kessler is looking to control Dimitrov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kessler avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dimitrov prevents Kessler from improving his position.
Dimitrov controlling the pace.
Dimitrov is thwarting Kessler's attempts to control the position.

Dimitrov seems to be working for a kimura but Kessler defends the submission attempt.
Dimitrov wants to get back to his feet.

Dimitrov is trying to work for a kimura but Kessler is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kessler wants to improve his position but Dimitrov is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dimitrov is pressing down on Kessler's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kessler is holding on for now.
Kessler wants to get back to full guard.
Dimitrov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kessler!
Kessler slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kessler tries to roll over but Dimitrov keeps him under control.
Kessler trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

Dimitrov working for a guillotine from mount but Kessler is in no mood to give up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dimitrov looking to control but Kessler is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dimitrov is landing with some decent strikes but Kessler is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kessler is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dimitrov with good strikes from the mount here!
Kessler gets back to half guard.

Kessler is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Dimitrov is tapping! Great win for Kessler!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Lucien Kessler!