PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dean Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Essien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xavier Essien has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pope
vs
Essien

176 cm
23
152 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

175 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

NEBULA Clothing
Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dean Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Essien!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pope moves into range and clinches up with Essien.

Pope escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dean Pope seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crunch! Pope slams his shin into Essien's torso.
Essien shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pope but Pope pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Essien keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pope leaves Essien with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pope misses with a wild body shot.
Essien misses with a takedown attempt
and Pope cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dean Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Xavier Essien.
Pope throws a poor cross that misses

and Essien counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Essien pushes down on Pope's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Pope trying to control from the bottom.
Essien is looking to take a break and control but Pope is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pope is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Essien scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pope makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pope.
Pope is pulling down on Essien's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope working a defensive guard here.
Pope is adopting a defensive guard.
Pope wants to sweep here but Essien controlling him for the moment.
Essien stops Pope from standing up.
Essien advances position into side control!

Essien tries for a kimura but Pope is defending well.
Pope pushes Essien away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Essien gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Essien wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pope, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Essien advances to mount.
Pope is looking to get to half guard.
Essien punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pope working to try and regain half guard.

Pope has left one of his arms exposed and Essien doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Pope screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Xavier Essien!
A victorious Xavier Essien thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.