PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tigran Minasian (ranked 4101 p4p, 4047 weight class) and Torcadall Sailcirc (ranked 474 p4p, 466 weight class). Sailcirc comes into a darkened arena with his song building. THE SCOTTS kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Minasian
vs
Sailcirc

181 cm
37
183
10 - 12 - 0

190 cm
34
186
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tigran Minasian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Torcadall Sailcirc!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sailcirc cracks Minasian with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sailcirc throws a looping overhand right but Minasian ducks down to avoid it.
Nice shot by Sailcirc.
Sailcirc stuffs the takedown.
A big left from Sailcirc misses.
Nice uppercut there from Sailcirc.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sailcirc enables Minasian to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sailcirc manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sailcirc looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Minasian has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Minasian tries to free his leg and advance position but Sailcirc is retaining full guard.
Minasian is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Sailcirc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sailcirc controlling the position.
We've been hearing that Minasian has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minasian looking to pass the guard.
Minasian trying to control but Sailcirc is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sailcirc is pulling down on Minasian's head to control his posture.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sailcirc is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minasian preventing the sweep.
Minasian pushes down on Sailcirc's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sailcirc is looking for a sweep. Minasian is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sailcirc is trying to maintain the position but Minasian is very close to passing his half guard.
Minasian sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Minasian is looking to take a break and control but Sailcirc is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Minasian takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Minasian is trying to control. Sailcirc wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sailcirc is positioning himself well to prevent Minasian advancing to mount.
Minasian is trying to control the action in half guard but Sailcirc is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Minasian prevents Sailcirc from improving his position.
Sailcirc controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minasian trying to mount his opponent but Sailcirc defends it.
Minasian trying to control the action but Sailcirc is working from the bottom.
Minasian passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sailcirc working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sailcirc stops Minasian from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Minasian tries to control but Sailcirc wriggling away.
Minasian wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Sailcirc gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sailcirc is looking to improve his position.

Minasian seems to be working for a kimura but Sailcirc defends the submission attempt.
Minasian tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sailcirc knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sailcirc tries to get to full guard but Minasian has control of the leg.
Sailcirc manages to get to full guard.
Sailcirc wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Minasian stopping the sweep attempt from Sailcirc.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sailcirc is keeping the position for now.

Sailcirc has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Minasian can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Sailcirc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sailcirc told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Minasian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sailcirc is keeping the position for now.
Minasian trying to control but Sailcirc is working from the bottom.
Sailcirc 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.
Sailcirc has his hands on Minasian's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Minasian tries to free his leg and advance position but Sailcirc is retaining full guard.
Sailcirc tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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 Tigran Minasian will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Minasian shoots in but no luck this time.
Minasian fails to land the takedown.
Minasian shoots for a double leg takedown but Sailcirc sprawls well. He's pushed Minasian's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tigran Minasian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sailcirc swings for the body but Minasian moves out of range.
Minasian tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sailcirc defends well and Minasian ends up having to push Sailcirc into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sailcirc lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sailcirc scores with a shot to the side of Minasian's head.
Sailcirc goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Sailcirc manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Minasian showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Sailcirc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sailcirc trying to control the position here.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Sailcirc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sailcirc is pulling down on Minasian's head to control his posture.
Minasian trying to control but Sailcirc is working from the bottom.
Sailcirc is controlling Minasian's posture.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab from Sailcirc finds it's way through Minasian's defenses.
Sailcirc keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Minasian forces Sailcirc back against the cage and clinches.

Sailcirc works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Minasian keeping moving, preventing Sailcirc from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minasian looking for a sweep. Not yet Minasian, not yet.
Minasian manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sailcirc manages to get himself to full guard.

Sailcirc has control of Minasian's left arm, preventing Minasian from doing any damage.
Sailcirc keeping full guard, as Minasian tries to pass.
Sailcirc controlling the position.
Sailcirc keeping full guard, as Minasian tries to pass.
Sailcirc is pulling down on Minasian's head to control his posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sailcirc is on top in guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

Sailcirc controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minasian slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sailcirc has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Let's hope that Sailcirc has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Minasian trying to control the position from guard on top but Sailcirc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Sailcirc is pulling down on Minasian's head. It's preventing any offense from Minasian, at least for the moment.
Minasian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sailcirc seems keen to control Minasian's posture.
Minasian wants to pass the guard but Sailcirc is keeping the position.
Sailcirc is pulling down on Minasian's head. It's preventing any offense from Minasian, at least for the moment.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Sailcirc.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sailcirc ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Minasian tries to close the distance and clinch but Sailcirc swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sailcirc feints the counter takedown.
Minasian tries for a takedown but Sailcirc sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sailcirc.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torcadall Sailcirc showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sailcirc defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Minasian.
Minasian tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sailcirc defends well and Minasian ends up having to push Sailcirc into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sailcirc feints the counter takedown.
Sailcirc wants a takedown.
Minasian drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sailcirc pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tigran Minasian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minasian tries to clinch but Sailcirc is having none of it.
Minasian shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sailcirc defends it nicely.
Minasian shoots in for a takedown but Sailcirc shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sailcirc is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Minasian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sailcirc.
Minasian takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Minasian takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sailcirc has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sailcirc scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice shot lands for Sailcirc.
Minasian avoids the body shot from Sailcirc.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Minasian takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Minasian takes one on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sailcirc lands with a straight right. Minasian didn't see that one coming.
Minasian shoots in looking for a takedown but Sailcirc manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Minasian's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minasian takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice jab there from Sailcirc.
Sailcirc works the jab nicely.
Donk. Sailcirc catches Minasian right on the button with a cross.
Nice body punch from Sailcirc.

Sailcirc closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Minasian's guard.
Sailcirc controlling from the top position.
Sailcirc trying to control the position from guard on top but Minasian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sailcirc controls from within his opponent's guard.

Sailcirc is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sailcirc trying to control but Minasian is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sailcirc controlling from the top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Torcadall Sailcirc seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sailcirc throws out a loose jab but Minasian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sailcirc swats away the attempt to clinch by Minasian.
Minasian tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sailcirc has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Minasian is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Minasian drops his hands momentarily and Sailcirc takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sailcirc feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Minasians jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Minasian will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Minasian tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sailcirc sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Minasian somewhat.
Sailcirc missing with a left hand there. Minasian was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sailcirc, as that shot connected.
Sailcirc looks to score with a jab to the body but Minasian is just out of range.
Minasian shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sailcirc as he avoids it easily.
Sailcirc misses with a straight right.
The fight stays on the outside here - Minasian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tigran Minasian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minasian avoids the body shot from Sailcirc.

Sailcirc clinches with his opponent.
Minasian leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sailcirc gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Minasian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Sailcirc on the inside.

Sailcirc gets control of Minasian's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sailcirc will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sailcirc is on top in guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minasian keeping moving, preventing Sailcirc from controlling successfully.
Sailcirc advances position into side control!
Minasian is not content to let Sailcirc control the position.

Sailcirc wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Minasian, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Torcadall Sailcirc comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sailcirc has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torcadall Sailcirc!
Torcadall Sailcirc seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.