PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ajamu Mokoena (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Praveen Gladston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gladston has chosen Dizzee Rascal - Holiday as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Ajamu Mokoena has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ajamu Mokoena seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Mokoena
vs
Gladston

187 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ajamu Mokoena!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Praveen Gladston!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mokoena moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Praveen Gladston has been cut.
Gladston misses with a double jab.
Praveen Gladston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donk. Mokoena catches Gladston right on the button with a cross.
Mokoena lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gladston circles away quickly and effectively.
Gladston misses with a combination
and Mokoena counters with a one-two to the body.
Mokoena rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gladston moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gladston misses with a looping left.
Mokoena misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mokoena displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mokoena takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mokoena looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mokoena throws the left hand but Gladston avoids the punch easily.
Gladston misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gladston uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mokoena.
Mokoena throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Gladston counter with a right hand.
Some wild striking there from Gladston.
Mokoena throws a jab when Gladston was well out of range.
Gladston falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mokoena counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mokoena punishes Gladston's body with a nice straight punch.
Gladston connects with a looping right hand.
Mokoena looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gladston is fending him off so far but Mokoena persists. Nope, Gladston circles away and we're back to standing.
Mokoena is breathing heavily.
Mokoena misses with an uppercut. Gladston saw that one coming.
Gladston misses with a series of wild punches.
Mokoena swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gladston counters with a left and a right that stings Mokoena.
Mokoena scores with a jab to the body.
Gladston looks to land a combination but Mokoena avoids it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mokoena is defended easily by Gladston.
Praveen Gladston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gladston falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mokoena makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gladston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mokoena circles away quickly and effectively.
Gladston lands a jab-cross combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some wild striking there from Gladston.
Gladston misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Mokoena does no damage.
Gladston swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mokoena makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gladston misses with the combination.
Mokoena fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gladston manages to avoid it.
Gladston defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mokoena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ajamu Mokoena. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gladston tries to bum rush Mokoena with a series of wild strikes but Mokoena uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gladston swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mokoena throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gladston throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mokoena counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Mokoena forces Gladston back against the cage and clinches.
Mokoena pushes Gladston back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Gladston breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gladston lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gladston.
Mokoena looks to land a combination but Gladston avoids it well.
Gladston slips a jab and a cross from Mokoena.
Mokoena walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gladston tries to bum rush Mokoena with a series of wild strikes but Mokoena uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gladston takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gladston throws a series of punches but Mokoena avoids them all with ease.
Gladston throws the left hand but Mokoena avoids the punch easily.

Mokoena clinches up against the cage.
Gladston wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mokoena has him pressed against the cage.
Mokoena is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gladston keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mokoena's efforts to push away.
Mokoena tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gladston's elbow.
Gladston is trying to break the clinch but Mokoena has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mokoena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gladston is looking to break free of the clinch but Mokoena has double underhooks.
Gladston wants to break free but Mokoena has control.
Gladston fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mokoena working aggressively here.
Mokoena is looking to break free of the clinch but Gladston has double underhooks.
Gladston is looking to break free of the clinch but Mokoena has double underhooks.
Gladston throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gladston doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gladston is trying to maintain a safe position but Mokoena gets an underhook and turns Gladston into the cage.
Mokoena has Gladston pressed against the cage, preventing Gladston from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mokoena is looking to control Gladston's arms but Gladston gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mokoena has his back to the cage.
Mokoena keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gladston's efforts to push away.
Gladston lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gladston can't break the clinch.
Gladston has had enough of the clinch but Mokoena keeps him there for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mokoena prevents Gladston from breaking the clinch.
Mokoena can't break the clinch.

Mokoena pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gladston ducks under a wild hook from Mokoena.
Mokoena avoids a punch combination nicely.
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 Ajamu Mokoena will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Praveen Gladston's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gladston fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mokoena misses with an uppercut.
Mokoena fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mokoena falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gladston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gladston throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Mokoena counters by moving into the clinch.
Mokoena keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gladston's efforts to push away.
Mokoena has Gladston pressed against the cage, preventing Gladston from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Mokoena.
Gladston wants to break free but Mokoena has control.
Mokoena digs a right hand underneath Gladston's ribcage. Gladston let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gladston is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gladston wants to break free but Mokoena has control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gladston is trying to break the clinch but Mokoena is controlling him.
Mokoena manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mokoena lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gladston is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mokoena prevents a body shot from Gladston.
Nice body punch from Mokoena - that landed with a thud.
Gladston misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gladston working hard to break the clinch.
Gladston swings wildly with an uppercut but Mokoena uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gladston tries to break free but Mokoena pushes him back against the cage.
Mokoena lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mokoena can't break the clinch.
The referee calls for Mokoena to work.

Gladston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Praveen Gladston seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gladston misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gladston avoids the body shot from Mokoena.
Mokoena throws a hook to the side of Gladston's head but Gladston sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gladston takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mokoena fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gladston manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A combination from Gladston does no damage.
Mokoena swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gladston throws a right hand that Mokoena ducks under and follows up with a left that Mokoena also avoids with ease.
A jab from Mokoena misses.
Mokoena throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gladston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mokoena pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gladston scores with a sloppy right hand. Mokoena should have avoided that one.
Gladston moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gladston misses with a two punch combination.
Gladston swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mokoena throws a body punch but Gladston moves out of range.
Gladston misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mokoena tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gladston swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gladston misses the jab.
Mokoena swings for the body but Gladston moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mokoena looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gladston thuds his right hand into Mokoena's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A combination from Mokoena does no damage.
Mokoena throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gladston sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mokoena showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gladston.
Gladston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gladston misses with the combination.
Gladston staying out of range there.
Gladston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mokoena circles away quickly and effectively.
Gladston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gladston throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mokoena just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mokoena misses with a series of wild punches.
Mokoena throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gladston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mokoena circles away quickly and effectively.
Mokoena misses with a double jab
and Gladston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gladston lands with a hook. Mokoena tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gladston might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mokoena ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gladston takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gladston throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Mokoena counter with a right hand.
Good exchange - Gladston coming out on top.
Mokoena works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mokoena throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gladston looks to land a combination but Mokoena avoids it well.
Gladston throws out a loose jab but Mokoena uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Praveen Gladston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Praveen Gladston's cut.
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!

A jab from Gladston misses.

Mokoena closes the distance and pushes Gladston back into the cage.
Mokoena lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gladston.
A shot in the inside from Gladston.

Mokoena escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gladston throws a series of punches but Mokoena moves out of range.
A combination from Gladston does no damage.
Mokoena lands a really nice looking cross but Gladston seems unphased.

Mokoena shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Mokoena tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mokoena is landing with some decent strikes but Gladston is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gladston wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mokoena.

Mokoena is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gladston has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gladston tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gladston is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mokoena misses with a head shot.
Gladston is trying to escape the mount.
Gladston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mokoena. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gladston wants to hold on but Mokoena pushes him away.
Mokoena can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gladston is looking to escape.

Mokoena is going olschool here, as he tries to force Gladston to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Gladston shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mokoena looking to ground and pound but Gladston is blocking nicely.
Gladston stops Mokoena from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Gladston sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gladston trying to control here.
Mokoena trying to control the action but Gladston is working from the bottom.
Gladston wants to get back to full guard.
Mokoena 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.
Gladston trying to control from the bottom.
Mokoena wants to take a breather but Gladston is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gladston wants to get back to his feet.
Mokoena tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gladston knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gladston is trying to stand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mokoena slips a jab and a cross from Gladston.
Nice shot lands for Mokoena.
Mokoena misses with a wild body shot.
Gladston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mokoena circles away quickly and effectively.
Mokoena throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mokoena is looking to wear down Gladston with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Gladston connects with a jab.
Gladston throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ajamu Mokoena is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gladston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mokoena swings for the body but Gladston moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mokoena showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gladston.
Mokoena dips to his left and cracks Gladston with an uppercut!
Gladston lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mokoena circles away quickly and effectively.
Good standup being displayed there by Mokoena as he connects with a hook.
A slow jab from Mokoena misses its intended target.
Gladston throws a right hand that Mokoena ducks under and follows up with a left that Mokoena also avoids with ease.
Some wild striking there from Gladston.
A big right from Mokoena misses.
Gladston misses with a combination
and Mokoena counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mokoena scores with a sloppy right hand. Gladston should have avoided that one.
Gladston throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mokoena.
Gladston throws a right hand that Mokoena ducks under and follows up with a left that Mokoena also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ajamu Mokoena showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mokoena has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ajamu Mokoena!