PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Israel Adesanya (ranked 4345 p4p, 4537 weight class) and John Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Adesanya comes to the cage accompanied by MMA Entrance Music / Israel Adesanya. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Adesanya
vs
Paul

193 cm
18
207
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
20
215
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Israel Adesanya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Paul!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Adesanya throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Paul was covering up waiting for the punch and Adesanya finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul wants to sweep but no luck.
Adesanya passes Paul's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Adesanya tries to pass the half guard into mount. Paul knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Adesanya works his foot free and advances to mount.
Adesanya seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Paul is holding on tight.
Paul really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Adesanya. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Adesanya goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Paul turns into him and now he's in Adesanya's guard.
Paul missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paul must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul wants to pass the guard but Adesanya is keeping the position.

Adesanya has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Paul should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Adesanya has tightened it up now! Paul should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Israel Adesanya!
Our winner, Israel Adesanya, 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.