PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Horus Egyptian (ranked 1332 p4p, 1345 weight class) and Jacob Handler (ranked 182 p4p, 184 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Handler's choice of entrance music: KEEPINITBEEFY. 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?

Egyptian
vs
Handler

185 cm
24
165
7 - 3 - 1

172 cm
24
165
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Knock Out Sups

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 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Horus Egyptian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jacob Handler!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Egyptian tries to clinch there but Handler circles away.
Egyptian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jacob Handler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good standup being displayed there by Handler as he connects with a hook.
A punch lands to the side of Egyptian 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Egyptian dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Handler. That did some damage!
Egyptian looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Handler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Egyptian was well out of range. Poor timing from Handler.

Handler rushes Egyptian and presses him up against the cage.
Egyptian tries a knee to the head but Handler blocks it.
Egyptian tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Handler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Handler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Egyptian prevents it.
Egyptian tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Handler tightens his grip and picks Egyptian up, before dumping him to the ground. Egyptian manages to land in guard.
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!
Handler won't allow Egyptian to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Handler trying to control but Egyptian is working from the bottom.
Handler stops Egyptian from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Egyptian wants to get back to his feet but Handler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Handler wants to pass the guard but Egyptian is keeping the position.
Handler trying to control the position from guard on top but Egyptian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Egyptian seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Handler stops Egyptian from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Egyptian takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Handler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Handler tries to clinch up.
Egyptian looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Handler moves in looking to clinch but Egyptian pushes him off.
Handler throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Handler has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Egyptian misses with an uppercut
and Handler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Handler has taken the fight to the clinch.
Handler is working for takedown but Egyptian is calmly controlling the position for now.
Egyptian fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Egyptian lands a left hand that snaps the head of Handler backwards.
Handler takes a knee right on the jaw!
Handler changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Egyptian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Horus Egyptian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Handler.
Handler misses with an uppercut
and Egyptian counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Egyptian takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Handler looks to throw the jab but Egyptian is out of range.
Handler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Egyptian has time to react.

Handler clinches up with Egyptian and pushes him back against the cage.
Handler managing to block the knees to the body from Egyptian.
Egyptian missing with knees to the body.
Egyptian misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Handler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian swings wildly with an uppercut but Handler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Handler is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Egyptian is defending well.

Handler works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Handler works over Egyptian with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Handler cracks Egyptian with a solid left hand.
Egyptian is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Handler tries to free his leg and advance position but Egyptian is retaining full guard.
Handler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Handler throws a big elbow that misses.
Handler throws a strike but Egyptian rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Egyptian seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Handler has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Handler is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Egyptian looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Handler had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Egyptian defends it easily.
Handler working a defensive guard here.
Handler is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Handler passes to full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Handler dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Handler stuns Egyptian with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Handler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Handler misses with a shot to the body
and Egyptian counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Handler just misses with a punch to the body.
Handler connects with a body shot that sends Egyptian's belly button to the back.
Handler misses the shot to the body.
Handler has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Egyptian.
Handler blocks a head kick by Egyptian.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handler has a takedown stuffed.
Egyptian stuffs the takedown attempt from Handler. Handler gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Handler moves into the clinch.
Egyptian prevents the takedown attempt.
Horus Egyptian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Handler.
Egyptian with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Egyptian lands a left hand that snaps the head of Handler backwards.
Handler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Egyptian prevents it.
Egyptian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Handler.
Egyptian lands with a short shot to the head.
Egyptian lands a knee to the head.

Egyptian breaks the clinch.
Handler bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Egyptian's head.
Handler works the jab nicely.
Egyptian feints and then cracks Handler's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Handler down.

Handler clinches with his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Egyptian connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Egyptian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Handler misses with a shot to the body
and Egyptian counters with a low kick, right behind Handler 's knee.
Egyptian uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Handler.
Egyptian takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Handler blocks a low kick nicely.
Handler dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Handler connects with a body shot.
Handler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Egyptian swivels and escapes.
Handler throws a looping overhand right but Egyptian ducks down to avoid it.
Handler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Egyptian takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Handler misses with an attempted mid kick.
Egyptian throws a front kick aimed at Handler's knee but Handler avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handler is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Handler has taken the fight to the clinch.
Egyptian throws a knee to the head but misses.
Handler goes for a takedown attempt but Egyptian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Handler clinches with his opponent.

Egyptian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Egyptian avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Handler throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from Egyptian on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Handler getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Egyptian takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Handler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Egyptian paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Handler closes the distance and clinches.
Handler drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Egyptian throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Handler goes for a takedown attempt but Egyptian pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Handler throws out a powerful jab.
Handler misses with a wild body shot.
As Handler backs away, Egyptian returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nice jab there from Handler.

Handler clinches up against the cage.
Egyptian throws a knee to the head but misses.
Egyptian is trying to maintain a safe position but Handler gets an underhook and turns Egyptian into the cage.
Egyptian manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacob Handler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Handler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Egyptian, pushing him back against the cage.

Handler has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Egyptian is trying to keep an underhook but Handler manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Egyptian pushes Handler off and gets back to his feet.
Egyptian tries a head kick but it misses.
Handler swings for the body but Egyptian moves out of range.
Handler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Egyptian appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Jab by Handler.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circle momentarily. Handler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Handler tries to clinch
and Handler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Handler bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Egyptian's head.
Handler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Egyptian paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handler looks to score with a jab to the body but Egyptian is just out of range.

Handler gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Egyptian tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Handler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Handler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Horus Egyptian has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Handler blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Handler as Egyptian tries to tie him up.
Egyptian gets underhooks to prevent Handler's takedown attempt.
Egyptian tries to land a knee to the head but Handler blocks with his arms.
Egyptian tries a knee to the head but Handler blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Handler.
Egyptian trying to land knees to the body.
Egyptian lands with a light punch inside.
Egyptian tries a knee to the head but Handler blocks it.
Egyptian lands a knee to the body.
Egyptian lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Egyptian leaning against his opponent.
Handler drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Handler creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Horus Egyptian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Egyptian is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Horus Egyptian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Handler.
Egyptian lands a good knee to the midsection. Handler won't want to take too many of those.
Handler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Egyptian avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Egyptian stops a takedown attempt from Handler.
Handler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Egyptian stalls.
Handler has a couple of punches blocked by Egyptian.
Handler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Handler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Egyptian avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Egyptian using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Handler is trying to drag Egyptian to the mat but Egyptian just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Egyptian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Handler.
Egyptian is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Handler is defending well for now.
Handler looking for a takedown.
Egyptian working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Egyptian tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Egyptian landing knees to the head.
Egyptian working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Handler blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Egyptian missing with knees to the body.
Egyptian stops a takedown attempt from Handler.
Egyptian pressing his opponent against the cage.

Handler tightens his grip and picks Egyptian up, before dumping him to the ground. Egyptian manages to land in guard.
Egyptian keeping moving, preventing Handler from controlling successfully.
Egyptian wants to get back to his feet but Handler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Egyptian trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Handler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Handler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Egyptian works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Handler stopping the sweep attempt from Egyptian.
Egyptian wants to get back to his feet but Handler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A big right from Handler misses.
Egyptian defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Handler.
Egyptian looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

And that's the end of the fight!
Horus Egyptian showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Handler 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacob Handler!
An out of breath Jacob Handler thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.