PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adam Cain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avi Agababa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Agababa is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mutiny Within - Falling Forever . Adam Cain has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cain
vs
Agababa

192 cm
22
204 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

160 cm
21
220 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Adam Cain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Avi Agababa!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cain tries to close the distance and clinch but Agababa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Agababa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cain loads up on a big right hand but Agababa slips the punch.
A left lands for Cain.
Agababa doesn't manage to clinch there - Cain circles away.
Cain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Agababa takes one to the side of the head.
Cain shoots for a takedown but Agababa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from Agababa.
Agababa looks for a takedown but Cain sprawls well.
Cain throws a series of punches but Agababa avoids them all with ease.
Agababa throws a nice looking combination but Cain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Agababa gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Cain is trying to control Agababa's posture but Agababa avoids it.
Cain is looking for a sweep.
Cain is breathing heavily.
Agababa tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Agababa lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Agababa tries to move to mount but Cain blocks the move with his legs.
Agababa working the head and body with strikes.
Agababa throws an elbow but Cain slips to the side and avoids it well.
Cain manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Agababa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Cain trying to hold on to Agababa's head to control him but Agababa postures up.
Cain is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Agababa is looking for a kimura here.
Cain trying to control from the bottom.

Agababa is working for an americana but Cain has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Agababa was thinking about the submission.
Agababa looking to pass the guard.
Cain is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
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 Adam Cain will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slow jab from Cain misses its intended target.
Cain fails to land with a series of punches.
Agababa thuds a left hand into Cain's body.
A left and a right from Cain both land. Nice combination.
Cain displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Agababa.

Cain gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Agababa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cain is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cain wants to get back to striking at distance but Agababa won't allow it.
Cain lands a hook to the side of the head.

Agababa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cain uses from the top position.
Agababa trying to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cain avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Agababa has a closed guard, preventing Cain from standing up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Cain looking to pass the guard.
Agababa tries to strike from the bottom.
Agababa wants to sweep but no luck.
Cain trying to control the position from guard on top but Agababa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cain looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Adam Cain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cain fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cain throws a sloppy body shot

and Agababa counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cain's guard now.
Cain looking to control.
Agababa trying to control the position from guard on top but Cain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Agababa wants to stand but Cain is controlling his posture from full guard.
Cain looking for a sweep. Not yet Cain, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avi Agababa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Agababa closes the distance and pushes Cain back into the ropes.

Cain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cain keeps the fight on the outside.

Cain gets a clinch.
Cain is pressed up against the ropes. Agababa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cain down to the mat. Cain avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Agababa misses with a takedown attempt
and Cain counters with a head kick. That will keep Agababa thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Cain swinging wilding here.

Agababa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Cain sprawls well initially but Agababa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Cain is trying is best to control the position here.
Cain tries to get to full guard but Agababa has control of the leg.
Cain wants to control but Agababa is keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Agababa lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain is looking to control Agababa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cain avoid being mounted?
Agababa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cain keeps working.
Cain tries to kick Agababa off but Agababa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Agababa is trying to control. Cain wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Agababa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cain sprawls well. Cain wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Agababa gets slowly back to his feet.
Adam Cain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avi Agababa.
Cain throws a one two combo.
Agababa dodges the punch combination from Cain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Agababa tries to clinch but Cain moves away
and Agababa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Agababa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Agababa wants to pass to mount but Cain is defending the position.
Cain is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Agababa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Agababa's back!
A lull in the action here.
Cain will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cain doesn't have the hooks in and Agababa manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Avi Agababa just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Cain throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Agababa gets the takedown into side control.
Cain wants to control but Agababa postures up.
Cain tries to escape but Agababa is in control.

Agababa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cain struggling a bit here.

Agababa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cain has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cain struggling a bit here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Agababa is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Cain will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Cain struggling a bit here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cain swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Agababa counters with a body kick that stops Cain in his tracks momentarily.
Agababa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cain misses with a takedown attempt

and Agababa moves into the clinch.

Agababa drags the fight down to the ground.
Agababa wants to stand but Cain is controlling the position.
Cain trying to control the position from guard on top but Agababa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cain stops Agababa from standing up.

Agababa looking for a guillotine here but Cain defends easily.
Cain stands and throws Agababa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cain is looking to take a break and control but Agababa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avi Agababa dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Cain. No joy for Agababa on that attempt.
Cain moves out of range as Agababa throws a body kick.
Cain is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Cain looks to land a combination. Agababa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cain throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Agababa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Agababa wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Agababa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cain is keeping the position for now.
Agababa wants to control from the top but Cain keeps moving.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Agababa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cain swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cain wants to stand up but Agababa is controlling him.
Cain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Agababa tries to free his leg and advance position but Cain is retaining full guard.
Cain not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cain throws a nice looking combination but Agababa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Horrible takedown by Agababa or perhaps it was just good defense by Cain which made him look bad.
Cain throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Agababa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two 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.
Cain throws a series of punches but Agababa avoids them all with ease.
Cain misses with a wild body shot.
Agababa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Agababa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Agababa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cain does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cain slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Agababa looking to sit in guard and control but Cain gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Agababa pushes Cain off and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avi Agababa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Agababa 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avi Agababa!