PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arsham Eslami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Owens comes to the cage accompanied by The Word Best Friend Becomes Redefined. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Owens
vs
Eslami

196 cm
24
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
18
198 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Craig Owens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arsham Eslami!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Owens fails to land the takedown.
Owens tries for a takedown but Eslami sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Eslami misses with a jab, cross combination.
Owens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Eslami closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Owens walks into a straight right hand from Eslami.
Eslami punishes Owens's body with a nice straight punch.
Eslami throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Owens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Owens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eslami throws out the jab.
Owens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Owens takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Eslami looks to land a combination but Owens avoids it well.
A punch combination from Eslami misses.
Owens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Owens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eslami ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Owens moves away.
No joy there for Eslami, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens tries for a takedown but Eslami sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Owens bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Arsham Eslami seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Owens shoots in and drives through. Eslami sprawls well.
Owens moves out of range as Eslami strikes.
Eslami fails to land with a series of punches.
Eslami throws a lazy right hand but Owens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Owens tries for a takedown but Eslami sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Owens is breathing heavily.
Eslami misses the shot to the body.
Owens slips a jab and a cross from Eslami.
Eslami misses with the combination.
Owens ducks under a wild hook from Eslami.
Eslami looks to throw the jab but Owens is out of range.
Eslami fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Owens manages to avoid it.
Eslami scores with a crisp jab that stopped Owens in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Eslami misses with the combination.
Owens fails with a takedown attempt.
Eslami scores with a jab to the head.
Owens walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Eslami misses with a two punch combination.
Eslami misses the shot to the body.
Eslami fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Eslami throws out a powerful jab.
Eslami scores with a jab.
Eslami rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Owens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Eslami misses with a hook.
Eslami throws a series of punches but Owens moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Eslami, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Eslami misses with a hook.
Eslami throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Owens.
Owens moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Owens is defended easily by Eslami.
Owens on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Eslami connects with a jab.
Eslami looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Eslami connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Owens dodges the punch combination from Eslami.
Eslami throws a series of strikes that have Owens backpedaling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eslami lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Owens shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Eslami defends it nicely.
Eslami throws a right and a left that Owens avoids nicely.
Eslami is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Owens had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

Owens decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eslami wants to get back to his feet.
Owens has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Eslami wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Owens lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arsham Eslami dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Owens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Eslami.
A combination from Eslami does no damage.

Owens feints and as Eslami raises his hands in defense, Owens changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Owens sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Owens is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Eslami is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Owens wants to control from the top but Eslami keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Owens postures up in Eslami's guard and throws a big left but Eslami blocks it.
Owens wants to control from the top but Eslami keeps moving.
Eslami wants to stand but Owens is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Eslami connects with a right hand. Owens shakes it off.
Eslami scores with a one two! Owens had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Eslami fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Eslami lands a lovely overhand right.
Owens shoots in for a double leg but Eslami sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eslami jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Eslami connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Eslami looks to throw the jab but Owens is out of range.
Eslami cracks a nice hook into Owens's ribs.
The crowd cheers as Eslami lands an impressive looking overhand right. Owens doesn't seem phased though.
A combination from Eslami does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Eslami scores with a four punch combination!

Owens scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Eslami looks like he's trying to stand up.
Owens looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Eslami is trying to stand.
Eslami really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Owens. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Owens is taking a breather. Eslami says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Eslami tries to kick Owens off but Owens keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Owens thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Eslami's head.
Eslami is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Eslami throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Owens.
Eslami lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Owens at a distance.
No joy there for Eslami, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Eslami swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eslami missing with a left hand there. Owens was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Owens shoots in for a double leg but Eslami sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eslami lands a head shot.
Owens takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Eslami connects with a right hand. Owens shakes it off.
A punch combination from Eslami misses.
Eslami takes a swing at Owens's ribcage but misses.

Owens closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Eslami did well to prevent Owens getting side control.
Owens moves into full mount! Eslami won't be happy about that!
Owens 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Owens cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Eslami blocking the ground and pound.
Owens throws some wild stikes that Eslami manages to avoid easily.
Eslami is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
A nice elbow there by Owens.
Owens looking to control but Eslami is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Owens throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Eslami because Owens loaded up on that one.
Owens punching from mount but Eslami doing a good job of avoiding damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Eslami can do anything to dispel that myth.
Eslami is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Owens trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Owens dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Eslami throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Eslami connects with a looping right hand.
Owens dodges the punch combination from Eslami.
Eslami will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Eslami looks to land a combination but Owens avoids it well.

Owens drives through with a takedown into guard.
Owens is stalling in the full guard.
Owens trying to control the position from guard on top but Eslami is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Owens won't allow Eslami to get back to his feet.

Owens drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Owens jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Owens won't allow Eslami to get back to his feet.
Eslami is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Owens keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Eslami's head.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Eslami looks to score with a jab to the body but Owens is just out of range.
Owens moves out of range as Eslami strikes.
Owens avoids the body shot from Eslami.
Eslami slaps away a takedown attempt from Owens, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Eslami loads up on a big right hand but Owens slips the punch.

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.
A big left from Eslami misses.
Eslami throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Owens is trying hard to land a takedown here. Eslami sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Owens slips a jab and a cross from Eslami.
Craig Owens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eslami keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Craig Owens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eslami misses with a few strikes there.

Eslami gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Owens to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Owens stops Eslami from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eslami wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Owens manages to pass to side control.
Owens controlling the action here.
Owens is pressing down on Eslami's thigh, looking to free his foot. Eslami is holding on for now.
Eslami wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Owens shoots in for a takedown but Eslami shows good takedown defense.
Eslami cracks Owens with an open hand slap.
Owens blocks a jab.
Eslami throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Owens.

Owens feints and as Eslami raises his hands in defense, Owens changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Owens controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Eslami is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Owens is controlling him.
Owens controls from within his opponent's guard.
Eslami wants to stand up but Owens is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Owens showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Owens 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Owens!