PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ali Issa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bankman Five (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Five has chosen M83 - God Of Thunder as his entrance music. Issa has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Ali Issa has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Issa
vs
Five

185 cm
23
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ali Issa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bankman Five!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Richard Clark and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Five shoots and misses

and Issa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Issa is breathing heavily.

Five is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Five is trying to control the position but Issa postures up.
Five utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Five looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Issa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Five dives on top into guard.
Five pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Issa is keeping the position for now.
Five slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Five throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Issa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Five is trying to control the action in half guard but Issa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Issa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Five on the ground.
Five tries to stand but can't do so whilst Issa controls his leg.
Five sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Issa defending well though.

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.
Five throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Five not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Issa won't allow Five to pass to mount.
Five is trying to control the action in half guard but Issa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bankman Five was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Issa keeps the fight on the outside.
Issa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Five.
Issa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Five.
Ali Issa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bankman Five.
Five fails with a takedown attempt.
Five misses with a takedown attempt

and Issa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Five has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa trying to control the position from guard on top but Five is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Issa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Issa wants to pass the guard but Five is keeping the position.
Five is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Issa looking to pass the guard.
Five pulls Issa in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Five throws a head kick but Issa moves out of range.
Five tries to score a power double leg takedown but Issa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Five somewhat.
Five shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Issa counters with a takedown into side control.
Five manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Five manages to get to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Five working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Issa 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.

Issa swats away the attempt to clinch by Five.
Five fails with the takedown

and Issa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Five wants to control the action here but instead Issa manages to pass to full mount!
Five is in all sorts of trouble here.
Five is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Five gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Five wants to control but Issa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Five is trying to get back to full guard.
Five trying to control but Issa postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Issa is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Five regains full guard. Nicely done.
Five is looking to stand up but Issa isn't so interested in that idea.
Issa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa prevents Five from getting back to his feet.
Issa preventing the sweep.
Five lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Issa!
Five trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Five controlling from the full mount.
Five in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Five wants to control the pace but Issa is squirming around nicely.
Five misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Issa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Five changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Issa tries to avoid it but Five manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Issa to the ground. Issa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Five with a lazy takedown attempt

and Issa counters with a shoot takedown. Five fights it but they end up in guard.
Issa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Five looking to control.
Five trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ali Issa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Issa stops Five from standing up.
Five wants to sweep here but Issa controlling him for the moment.
Five is trying to keep Issa in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Issa has gone for a leg lock! Five slips out almost immediately though and dives into Issa's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Five thows a big elbow that misses.
Five is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Five wants to pass the guard but Issa is keeping the position.
Five trying to control the position from guard on top but Issa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Issa can't keep his opponent in guard - Five advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

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.
Five is trying to control. Issa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Five trying to control from Issa's half guard. Issa has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Five wants to control from the top but Issa keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Issa trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bankman Five was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Five misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Issa.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Five is defended easily by Issa.
Ali Issa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bankman Five.
Five looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Five misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Issa counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Five's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Five is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Issa is staying active.
Five is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Five is trying to control Issa's posture but Issa avoids it.
Five stops Issa from passing to mount.
Bankman Five has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ali Issa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Five sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ali Issa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Issa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Issa!