PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Tsubekov (ranked 1775 p4p, 1763 weight class) and Billy Crawley (ranked 237 p4p, 235 weight class). Crawley has chosen Jewelry - One More Time as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Tsubekov
vs
Crawley

183 cm
27
210
5 - 5 - 1

191 cm
27
205
6 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Rustam Tsubekov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Billy Crawley!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crawley avoids the body shot from Tsubekov.

Tsubekov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tsubekov lands in his opponent's guard.
Crawley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tsubekov wants to pass the guard but Crawley is keeping the position.
Tsubekov is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tsubekov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Crawley is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tsubekov, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsubekov being controlled here, momentarily.
Tsubekov wants to sweep but no luck.
Crawley wants to get up but he can't break Tsubekov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Tsubekov working for a triangle but Crawley defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Tsubekov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Crawley uses it to pass to side control.
Crawley wants to stand but Tsubekov is controlling his arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crawley gets to mount! Tsubekov was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Tsubekov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsubekov is squirming around, avoiding Crawley's attempts to control the action.
Crawley is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Tsubekov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Crawley trying to control but Tsubekov is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tsubekov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsubekov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tsubekov.
Tsubekov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Crawley manages to get himself to full guard.

Crawley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Crawley 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tsubekov trying to control but Crawley is working from the bottom.
Crawley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tsubekov controls the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rustam Tsubekov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tsubekov misses the jab.
Crawley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Crawley wants it to stay on the feet.
Crawley looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tsubekov fails with a takedown attempt.
Tsubekov tries for a takedown but Crawley circles away easily
letting Crawley counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Tsubekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsubekov goes for a double leg but Crawley avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Crawley continues to drive forward.
Crawley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Crawley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tsubekov loads up on a big right hand but Crawley slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsubekov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Crawley counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tsubekov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Crawley as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crawley swings for the body but Tsubekov moves out of range.
Crawley thumps Tsubekov with a low kick.
Tsubekov has his takedown stuffed
and Crawley counters with a stiff right hand.
Tsubekov throws a looping overhand right but Crawley ducks down to avoid it.
Crawley throws a fast counter high kick but Tsubekov manages to duck under it in time.
Tsubekov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Crawley.
Tsubekov misses with a takedown attempt - Crawley sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tsubekov looks for a takedown but Crawley sprawls well.
Crawley defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tsubekov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsubekov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Crawley tries to avoid it but Tsubekov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Crawley to the ground. Crawley escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tsubekov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Crawley counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Crawley scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Tsubekov gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crawley is trying to control but can't.
Crawley is looking to escape.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Crawley can do anything to dispel that myth.

Tsubekov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Crawley has managed to free his arm - good work.
Crawley trying to control but Tsubekov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsubekov is taking a breather. Crawley says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Tsubekov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Tsubekov wants to work for an arm triangle but Crawley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Tsubekov seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Tsubekov seems to be looking for submissions.

Tsubekov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Crawley defends it well.
Tsubekov is thwarting Crawley's attempts to control the position.
Tsubekov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Crawley looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crawley is trying to stand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Crawley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Tsubekov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tsubekov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Crawley circles away.
Tsubekov looks for a takedown but Crawley sprawls well.
Tsubekov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Crawley sprawls well. Crawley wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tsubekov gets slowly back to his feet.
Crawley only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Tsubekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsubekov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Crawley counters with a nice leg kick.
Tsubekov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsubekov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tsubekov backing away here, and Crawley unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Tsubekov fails to land the takedown.
Crawley was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Tsubekov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Crawley was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawley looks to land a left hand but Tsubekov moved out of range nicely.
Tsubekov shoots in but Crawley avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Crawley only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Crawley loads up on a big right hand but Tsubekov slips the punch.
Tsubekov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Crawley swivels and escapes.
Tsubekov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Crawley counters with a straight right hand.
Crawley scores with a hook.
Crawley connects with a body shot that sends Tsubekov's belly button to the back.
Tsubekov misses with a takedown
and Crawley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rustam Tsubekov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick lands from Crawley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawley scores with a leg kick.
Tsubekov misses with a takedown attempt
and Crawley counters with a straight right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crawley leaves Tsubekov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tsubekov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Crawley. Crawley obviously looking to wear him down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Crawley. That's going to slow Tsubekov down.
Tsubekov misses with a takedown attempt
and Crawley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tsubekov fails with the takedown
and Crawley counters with a nice uppercut.
A jab lands there for Crawley.
Billy Crawley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsubekov darts in looking for a takedown but Crawley gets double underhooks and turns Tsubekov into the cage.
Crawley flicks out a counter leg kick but Tsubekov steps away.
Crawley tries to work over Tsubekov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tsubekov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Crawley manages to break the clinch.
Tsubekov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Crawley counters with a straight right hand.
Crawley cracks Tsubekov with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Tsubekov falls to his knees and Crawley doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Billy Crawley!
Our winner, Billy Crawley, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.