PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yusuf Mammadov (ranked 2612 p4p, 23476 weight class) and Ken Vrjalya (ranked 362 p4p, 672 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mammadov
vs
Vrjalya

173 cm
23
172
2 - 3 - 1

180 cm
23
180
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yusuf Mammadov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ken Vrjalya!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vrjalya misses with a left hand
and Mammadov counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Ken Vrjalya has been cut.
Vrjalya takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Vrjalya shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mammadov but Mammadov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ken Vrjalya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vrjalya's corner calls for a 1-2. Vrjalya obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Vrjalya drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mammadov wants to sweep here but Vrjalya controlling him for the moment.
Vrjalya showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mammadov working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrjalya wants to pass the guard but Mammadov is keeping the position.
Mammadov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Mammadov wants to control the position but Vrjalya says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Mammadov is looking to improve his position.
Vrjalya keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mammadov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mammadov is looking to improve his position.
Vrjalya perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Mammadov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Vrjalya in particular looking to stall.
Mammadov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Vrjalya has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Mammadov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mammadov tries to hold on but Vrjalya postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrjalya tries to take his opponent's back but Mammadov turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work.
Mammadov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mammadov postures up.
Mammadov wants to get up but he can't break Vrjalya's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Vrjalya working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mammadov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mammadov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mammadov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vrjalya is keeping the position for now.
Mammadov tries to stand but Vrjalya is controlling from the bottom.
Vrjalya wants to sweep here but Mammadov controlling him for the moment.
Mammadov pushes down on Vrjalya's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mammadov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ken Vrjalya will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ken Vrjalya's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mammadov feints and then cracks Vrjalya's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vrjalya down.
Vrjalya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mammadov is fending him off so far but Vrjalya persists. Nope, Mammadov circles away and we're back to standing.
Mammadov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Vrjalya connects with a body shot that sends Mammadov's belly button to the back.
Vrjalya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mammadov is fending him off so far but Vrjalya persists. Nope, Mammadov circles away and we're back to standing.
Mammadov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mammadov misses with a hook.
Vrjalya wants to counter the offense by Mammadov and move into the clinch position.

Vrjalya closes the distance and pushes Mammadov back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mammadov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mammadov has a couple of punches blocked by Vrjalya.
Mammadov throws a punch but it's blocked by Vrjalya.
Vrjalya will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mammadov up against the cage.
Vrjalya lands with a short shot to the head.
Vrjalya tries for a takedown but Mammadov manages to get underhooks.
Yusuf Mammadov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Vrjalya.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mammadov can't find room to land a body shot as Vrjalya controls the action.

Vrjalya lands a takedown into guard.
Mammadov is trying to control the position but Vrjalya postures up.

Mammadov working for submissions but it's allowed Vrjalya to get to half guard.
Mammadov is trying to stand back up but Vrjalya is controlling him
Mammadov trying to control from the bottom.
Mammadov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vrjalya's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vrjalya's back!
Vrjalya tries to escape but Mammadov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Vrjalya preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Mammadov.

Vrjalya showing good submission defense here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mammadov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Vrjalya defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Mammadov is persistently looking for the submission but Vrjalya is defending it well.

Mammadov working for the choke.

Mammadov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Vrjalya is defending well though. Mammadov let's go of the attempt for now.
Mammadov not allowing Vrjalya to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mammadov working for the choke.
Vrjalya breaks Mammadov's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Vrjalya stopping the sweep attempt from Mammadov.

Mammadov is looking for a triangle but Vrjalya pushes his legs off easily.
Vrjalya's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrjalya is continuing to stall.
Mammadov keeping full guard, as Vrjalya tries to pass.
Mammadov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mammadov trying to control the position here.
Vrjalya sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yusuf Mammadov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ken Vrjalya's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A big left from Mammadov misses.
Vrjalya takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vrjalya shoots in for a takedown but Mammadov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mammadov.
Mammadov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vrjalya lands with a straight right. Mammadov didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mammadov throws a jab when Vrjalya was well out of range.
And Vrjalya tries to counter it with a takedown but Mammadov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mammadov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mammadov throws a lazy right hand but Vrjalya sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vrjalya feints the counter takedown.
Yusuf Mammadov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrjalya takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mammadov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Vrjalya tries to clinch but Mammadov is having none of it.
Nice defenses there by Mammadov.
Vrjalya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mammadov looks to land a body kick but Vrjalya moved away.
Vrjalya is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mammadov shoots for a double leg takedown but Vrjalya sprawls well. He's pushed Mammadov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vrjalya slips under a jab from Mammadov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mammadov blocks a jab.

Mammadov connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Vrjalya to the floor! Mammadov dives in looking for the finish!

Vrjalya is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vrjalya is trying to get back to full guard.
Vrjalya is still in real trouble! Can Mammadov finish him?
Mammadov wants to stand up but Vrjalya is controlling the position.

Mammadov is working for a kimura but Vrjalya is defending it quite comfortably.
Vrjalya seems to have recovered his senses.
Vrjalya is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mammadov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vrjalya can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrjalya trying to control here.
Vrjalya is controlling Mammadov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Vrjalya works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vrjalya keeping full guard, as Mammadov tries to pass.
Mammadov wants to control from the top but Vrjalya keeps moving.
Vrjalya looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vrjalya keeping full guard, as Mammadov tries to pass.
Mammadov wants to control from the top but Vrjalya keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Vrjalya looks to clinch
and Mammadov counters with a right hand to the body.
Vrjalya keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Vrjalya shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Vrjalya showed some decent athleticism there.
Vrjalya works his way into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yusuf Mammadov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mammadov 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yusuf Mammadov!
Yusuf Mammadov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.