PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ervin Gillespie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zabit Semedov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gillespie
vs
Semedov

164 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ervin Gillespie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zabit Semedov!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gillespie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gillespie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gillespie is looking to work some ground and pound but Semedov has wrist control.
Gillespie has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gillespie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gillespie would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gillespie preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gillespie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Semedov has a closed guard, preventing Gillespie from standing up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie throws an elbow that misses. Semedov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gillespie's guard. Nice move by Semedov!

Gillespie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Semedov is one step ahead there.
Gillespie trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gillespie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gillespie, not yet.
Gillespie pulls Semedov in close to prevent any damage.
Gillespie knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Semedov on the ground.
Semedov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gillespie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Semedov tries to free his leg and advance position but Gillespie is retaining full guard.
Gillespie 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Semedov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gillespie manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Semedov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Semedov wants to control but Gillespie is keeping him busy.

Semedov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gillespie rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Semedov's guard! Nice work there by Gillespie!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie is looking to stand up but Semedov won't let him.
Semedov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gillespie sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gillespie really is a fat lump.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Semedov wants to sweep but no luck.
Semedov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Semedov wants to sweep here but Gillespie controlling him for the moment.
Semedov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gillespie.
Gillespie trying to stand up but can't free himself from Semedov's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Semedov trying to keep a closed guard but Gillespie is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ervin Gillespie will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Semedov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gillespie is looking to get back to full guard here but Semedov has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gillespie gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Semedov passes to full mount!
The referee warns Gillespie that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gillespie is trying desperately to improve position.
Gillespie is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Semedov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Poor strikes thrown by Semedov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gillespie keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gillespie wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Semedov.
Semedov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Semedov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gillespie keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semedov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Poor strikes thrown by Semedov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gillespie is looking to improve his position but Semedov isn't that keen on the idea.
Semedov trying to control but Gillespie is having none of it.
Gillespie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Semedov controlling from mount.
Semedov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Semedov trying to control but Gillespie is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Gillespie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Semedov trying to keep a closed guard but Gillespie is proving a slippery customer.
Semedov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie wants to get back to full guard.
Gillespie is trying to stand up here but Semedov is controlling him well.
Semedov is looking to stall here but Gillespie recovers full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Semedov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Semedov won't allow Gillespie to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Semedov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Gillespie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Semedov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Semedov gets tackled into the cage by Gillespie. Gillespie maintains the clinch.

Semedov has hold of one of Gillespie's legs. Gillespie is fighting the takedown attempt but Semedov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Gillespie wants to sweep but no luck.
Semedov wants to control from the top but Gillespie keeps moving.
Semedov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gillespie is keeping the position for now.
Semedov won't allow Gillespie to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semedov is looking to work some ground and pound but Gillespie has wrist control.
Semedov stopping the sweep attempt from Gillespie.
Gillespie is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gillespie lands with a heel strike from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Semedov misses with a wild combination.
Gillespie seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Semedov clinches.
Gillespie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gillespie pressing his opponent against the cage.
Semedov tries to circle away but Gillespie has him pinned against the cage.

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.
Gillespie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Semedov is defending well for now.
Semedov struggles to land a body shot inside as Gillespie controls his hands.
Gillespie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Semedov smiles and moves away.

Semedov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gillespie works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gillespie wants to stand but Semedov is controlling the position.
Semedov is fighting to break Gillespie's control of his arms but Gillespie is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Semedov is looking to stand up but Gillespie won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillespie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Semedov is one step ahead there.
Gillespie looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Semedov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Semedov slows the pace down in half guard.
Semedov works his way into side control.
Semedov tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gillespie is looking for a sweep.
Zabit Semedov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Semedov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gillespie keeps working.
Gillespie wants to control but Semedov postures up.
Gillespie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Semedov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gillespie is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gillespie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Semedov wants to stand but Gillespie is controlling his arm.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zabit Semedov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Semedov 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zabit Semedov!