PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kamaru Usman (ranked 2803 p4p, 6584 weight class) and Ouje Bougoumou (ranked 376 p4p, 659 weight class). Kamaru Usman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Usman
vs
Bougoumou

184 cm
27
182
6 - 5 - 0

181 cm
21
177
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 165$

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kamaru Usman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ouje Bougoumou!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usman on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Usman takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ouje Bougoumou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bougoumou connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

It looks like Kamaru Usman has been cut.
Bougoumou misses with a looping left.
Usman takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bougoumou lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bougoumou throws a lazy right hand but Usman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Usman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A left lands for Bougoumou.
Bougoumou connects with an inside leg kick.
Bougoumou fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Usman manages to avoid it.
Bougoumou wants to land a leg kick but Usman is out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bougoumou cracks a nice hook into Usman's ribs.
Bougoumou misses with a two punch combination.
Bougoumou lands with a nice body punch.
Bougoumou waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Bougoumou.
Bougoumou lands a jab to the head.
Nice shot by Bougoumou.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bougoumou. Usman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Usman ducks under a wild hook from Bougoumou.

Usman moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Bougoumou goes down! Can Usman finish him!?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usman wants to control from the top but Bougoumou keeps moving.
Usman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Usman wants to pass the guard but Bougoumou is keeping the position.
Usman wants to control from the top but Bougoumou keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Usman wants to control from the top but Bougoumou keeps moving.
Usman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Usman forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Usman trying to control the action but Bougoumou is working from the bottom.
Bougoumou tries to kick Usman off but Usman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usman wants to control but Bougoumou is keeping him busy.
Bougoumou looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bougoumou misses with a series of wild punches.
Bougoumou lands with an overhand left.
Usman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bougoumou circles away quickly and effectively.
Bougoumou throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Usman swings for the body but Bougoumou moves out of range.
We've been told by Usman's head coaches at Roosters Coop that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bougoumou misses with a head kick.
Usman appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Usman shoots in but no luck this time.
Bougoumou throws a front kick aimed at Usman's knee but Usman avoids it well.
Usman throws a looping overhand right but Bougoumou ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou throws an off balance right hand

and Usman counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Bougoumou down! Usman is looking to finish but Bougoumou is intelligently defending himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bougoumou wants to get back to his feet but Usman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Usman trying to control but Bougoumou is working from the bottom.
Usman throws a big right hand that misses.
Usman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bougoumou is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bougoumou working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Usman.
Usman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ouje Bougoumou dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kamaru Usman's cut.
That's time! Usman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bougoumou displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Usman.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Bougoumou throws a nice inside leg kick.
Usman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Usman takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bougoumou throws out a leg kick but Usman moves out of range and Bougoumou only half commits.
Usman is looking for a counter combo.
Bougoumou connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ouje Bougoumou seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Usman checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bougoumou motions for Usman to come forward. Bougoumou throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bougoumou slips under a jab from Usman.
Bougoumou only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Bougoumou misses with a body shot.
Usman on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A shot to the liver by Bougoumou. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bougoumou scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Usman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bougoumou can pounce on him.
Ouje Bougoumou is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bougoumou punishes Usman's body with a nice straight punch.
Usman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bougoumou doesn't seem bothered though.
Usman lands a really nice looking cross but Bougoumou seems unphased.
Bougoumou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Usman.
Bougoumou lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bougoumou has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Usman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bougoumou tests Usman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Usman takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Usman shoots for a takedown but Bougoumou saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bougoumou scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usman.
Bougoumou cracks Usman with an open hand slap.
Bougoumou keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamaru Usman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Usman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bougoumou changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bougoumou swings widly with a right hand
enabling Usman to counter with a crisp jab.

Bougoumou is rocked!
Bougoumou walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Usman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bougoumou is still on wobbly legs! Can Usman finish him?
Usman gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Usman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bougoumou.
Bougoumou seems to have recovered his senses.
Bougoumou connects with a jab.
Bougoumou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Usman.
A left lands for Bougoumou.
Usman with a poor takedown
and Bougoumou counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou scores with a shot to the body.
A nice leg kick from Bougoumou, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bougoumou connects with a crisp jab.
Bougoumou needs to keep his hands up - Usman had a free shot at his head there.
Usman misses with a hook. Bougoumou ducked under it nicely.
Usman lands a nice shot to the body.
Usman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bougoumou thows a left - swing and a miss!
An attempted straight right counter from Usman misses the target.
Bougoumou just misses with a punch to the body.
Bougoumou moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Usman on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Usman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Usman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bougoumou works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Usman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bougoumou can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bougoumou wants to stand and escape but Usman is having none of it.
Bougoumou avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bougoumou wants to stand but Usman is controlling the position.
Usman wants to control from the top but Bougoumou keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Usman doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ouje Bougoumou showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kamaru Usman's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Usman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bougoumou can pounce on him.
Bougoumou thuds his right hand into Usman's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bougoumou throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Usman stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bougoumou scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kamaru Usman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Usman takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Usman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bougoumou looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bougoumou bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bougoumou connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bougoumou throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bougoumou scoring well with a low kick there.
Usman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bougoumou pinned against the cage. Bougoumou gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bougoumou throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bougoumou lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Usman misses with a hook.
Bougoumou misses with a shot to the body
and Usman counters with a three punch combo that has Bougoumou backing up. Bougoumou nods at Usman to acknowledge the strikes.
Usman throws a shot from downtown. Bougoumou moves away and avoids it.
Bougoumou dips to his left and cracks Usman with an uppercut!
Bougoumou listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bougoumou connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Usman feints a jab promting Bougoumou to slip. Usman then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Bougoumou slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Usman thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou lands an overhand right.
Usman is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Usman misses with a series of wild punches.
Usman takes one on the button.
Bougoumou throws a leg kick
and Usman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ouje Bougoumou is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bougoumou lands an overhand right.
Bougoumou fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Usman.
Bougoumou steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Usman.
Usman takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Good standup being displayed there by Bougoumou as he connects with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bougoumou.
Bougoumou cracks Usman with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou swats away the attempt to clinch by Usman.
Bougoumou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Usman throws a body punch but Bougoumou moves out of range.
That kick from Bougoumou tenderised Usman's leg. Usman is trying to keep his angry face on.
Usman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bougoumou as he jumps to the side.
Bougoumou smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Usman has managed to clinch.
Usman misses with the head strike.
Usman tries for a takedown but Bougoumou manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kamaru Usman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bougoumou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kamaru Usman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Usman misses with a short punch on the inside.
Usman wants a takedown.
Usman is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Usman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bougoumou's elbow.
Usman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Usman.
Bougoumou tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Usman.
Usman trying to control the position but instead, Bougoumou has worked for underhooks and has pushed Usman into the cage.
Bougoumou misses with a short punch on the inside.
Usman misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ouje Bougoumou comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bougoumou winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ouje Bougoumou!
Ouje Bougoumou took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 165$ for their support in the buildup to the fight.