PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maxton Hefferman (ranked 3047 p4p, 3510 weight class) and Abd El Kader Mohamed (ranked 378 p4p, 417 weight class). Hefferman comes into the arena with enemies blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hefferman
vs
Mohamed

225 cm
26
180
5 - 4 - 0

225 cm
25
182
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Prefers standup

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maxton Hefferman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abd El Kader Mohamed!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mohamed forces Hefferman back against the cage and clinches.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks it.
Hefferman takes a knee to the side of the body.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head.
Mohamed putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hefferman in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hefferman's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hefferman has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mohamed uses from the top position.

Mohamed got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hefferman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mohamed has managed to get both his arms back between Hefferman's legs - danger averted.
Mohamed tries to free his leg and advance position but Hefferman is retaining full guard.
Mohamed must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hefferman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mohamed manages to get himself to full guard.

Hefferman is fighting to break Mohamed's control of his arms but Mohamed is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hefferman stands and throws Mohamed's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Hefferman tries for a kimura but Mohamed is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mohamed prevents Hefferman from moving into mount.
Mohamed struggling a bit here.

Hefferman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hefferman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two 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.

Hefferman thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hefferman tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Hefferman stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Hefferman has Mohamed up against the cage in a clinch.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mohamed looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hefferman is trying to force a seperation but Mohamed has the dominant position.
Hefferman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mohamed landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mohamed unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hefferman lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head.
Mohamed with a knee to the head.
Mohamed connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hefferman's face.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head.

Hefferman is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hefferman avoids it.
Mohamed looking to throw knees to the head but Hefferman is blocking nicely.
Hefferman tries to circle away but Mohamed has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hefferman tries to break free but Mohamed pushes him back against the cage.
Hefferman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mohamed is defending well for now.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mohamed obliges.
Hefferman can't get the takedown.
Hefferman is breathing heavily.
Mohamed landing knees to the body.
Hefferman tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hefferman is trying to push Mohamed away but Mohamed has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mohamed with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hefferman is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxton Hefferman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mohamed throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mohamed landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hefferman looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Hefferman looking for a takedown.
Mohamed landing knees to the head.
Mohamed scores with a knee to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abd El Kader Mohamed dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mohamed closes the distance and clinches.
Mohamed crunches a lovely knee into Hefferman's ribcage.
Mohamed with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Mohamed.
Oh Hefferman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Mohamed drops Hefferman with a big knee straight up the middle! Hefferman is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mohamed drives through and clinches with Hefferman against the cage.
Mohamed throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks it.
Hefferman drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mohamed pulls his leg out and moves away.

Mohamed tries to keep at a distance but Hefferman has taken the fight into the clinch.
Abd El Kader Mohamed seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks with his arms.
Hefferman seems to have got his legs back now.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hefferman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hefferman is trying to maintain a safe position but Mohamed gets an underhook and turns Hefferman into the cage.
Hefferman is trying to push Mohamed away but Mohamed has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mohamed has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hefferman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mohamed after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Hefferman takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hefferman working hard to break the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mohamed obliges.
Hefferman looking to throw knees to the head but Mohamed is blocking nicely.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mohamed.
Knees to the body from Mohamed.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Mohamed unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hefferman lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mohamed landing knees to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hefferman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Mohamed unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hefferman takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed lands a nice knee to the body.
Mohamed with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mohamed throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hefferman blocks it with crossed arms.
Mohamed with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Knees to the body from Mohamed.
Hefferman tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mohamed smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxton Hefferman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mohamed stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mohamed wants it to stay on the feet.
Maxton Hefferman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mohamed moves into the clinch.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed misses with a knee to the head.
Hefferman can't break the clinch.
Mohamed lands a good knee to the midsection. Hefferman won't want to take too many of those.
Mohamed using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hefferman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Hefferman manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hefferman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mohamed manages to get himself to full guard.

Hefferman is looking to work some ground and pound but Mohamed has wrist control.
Hefferman is looking to work some ground and pound but Mohamed has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mohamed utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hefferman pushes down on Mohamed's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mohamed blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hefferman.
Hefferman thows a huge punch but Mohamed dodges it nicely.

Hefferman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mohamed defends it well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mohamed can do anything to dispel that myth.

Hefferman stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mohamed to get to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abd El Kader Mohamed showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Mohamed doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Mohamed closes the distance and clinches.
Mohamed utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mohamed with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hefferman swings wildly with an uppercut but Mohamed uses good head movement to avoid it.

Mohamed drops Hefferman with a big knee straight up the middle! Hefferman is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

It looks like Maxton Hefferman has been cut.

Mohamed pushes Hefferman up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mohamed working Hefferman over with knees to the body.
Mohamed scores with a knee to the head.
Mohamed scores with a knee to the head.
Mohamed unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Mohamed obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks it.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks it.
Mohamed connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hefferman's face.
Mohamed unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Mohamed using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hefferman has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed looking to throw knees to the head but Hefferman is blocking nicely.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Hefferman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mohamed instigates a clinch.
Mohamed with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mohamed tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hefferman avoids it.
Mohamed avoiding damage as Hefferman throws knees to the body.
Hefferman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mohamed scores a nice knee to the body.
Mohamed with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Hefferman pulls guard effortlessly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hefferman is on top in guard.

Hefferman pushing down on Mohamed's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Hefferman is trying to work for a kimura but Mohamed is defending well.
Hefferman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hefferman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hefferman decides to return to a standing position.

Mohamed closes the distance and clinches.
Mohamed tries a knee to the head but Hefferman blocks it.
Hefferman tries to pull guard but Mohamed forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hefferman is trying to break the clinch but Mohamed is controlling him.
Mohamed gets underhooks to prevent Hefferman's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxton Hefferman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mohamed misses with a knee strike.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hefferman jumps guard but Mohamed stands there with Hefferman around his waist. Hefferman gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mohamed scores with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mohamed landing knees to the body.
Hefferman fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mohamed lands a knee to the head.
Mohamed throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hefferman blocks it with crossed arms.
Mohamed landing knees to the head.
Mohamed with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mohamed misses with a knee to the head.
Mohamed letting Hefferman take a breather here.
Hefferman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mohamed with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Maxton Hefferman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hefferman.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abd El Kader Mohamed comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mohamed 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abd El Kader Mohamed!
An out of breath Abd El Kader Mohamed thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Maxton Hefferman stepped up to the mic, saying 'we will get better we will get stronger and we will try again'.