PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Angel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paula Abdul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paula Abdul is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Angel
vs
Abdul

185 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

177 cm
26
183 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Angel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paula Abdul!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdul misses with a body punch
letting Angel counter with a right hand.
Angel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Angel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Abdul is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Angel.
Abdul punishes Angel's body with a nice straight punch.
Good standup being displayed there by Abdul as he connects with a hook.
Angel slips a straight right by Abdul.
Abdul lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A punch combination from Abdul misses.
Angel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abdul.
Abdul displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Angel.

Angel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Abdul is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Abdul, who protects the arm well.

Angel tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Angel has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Abdul is trying to control Angel's posture but Angel avoids it.

Angel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Abdul is trying to improve his position.

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.

Angel is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Abdul has escaped the position, nice work there.
Abdul is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Abdul's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Angel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Abdul is not content to let Angel control the position.
Abdul is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Angel goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Abdul rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Angel's guard! Nice work there by Abdul!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Abdul tries to free his leg and advance position but Angel is retaining full guard.
Abdul wants to control from the top but Angel keeps moving.
Abdul preventing the sweep.

Angel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Abdul defends it easily.
Abdul trying to control the position from guard on top but Angel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Angel pulls Abdul in close to prevent any damage.

Angel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Abdul can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Angel trying to keep a closed guard but Abdul is proving a slippery customer.
Angel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Abdul controlling from the top position.
Abdul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Angel wants to sweep here but Abdul controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paula Abdul dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Abdul throws a lazy right hand but Angel sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Abdul lands a jab to Angel's midsection.
Angel tries for a takedown but Abdul sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abdul throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abdul looks to score with a jab to the body but Angel is just out of range.
Angel takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Abdul punishes Angel's body with a nice straight punch.
Abdul digs a good body shot into Angel's ribs.
Abdul throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Angel.
Angel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Angel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul misses with a hook

and Angel counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Abdul!
Angel avoids the attempt from Abdul to control.

Angel swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Abdul is now in Angel's guard. A big mistake from Angel there, giving up the dominant position!
Abdul tries to free his leg and advance position but Angel is retaining full guard.
Abdul sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Abdul wants to control from the top but Angel keeps moving.
Abdul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Angel is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Angel looking for a guillotine here but Abdul defends easily.
Abdul wants to pass the guard but Angel is keeping the position.
Angel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Abdul's guard.
Abdul keeping full guard, as Angel tries to pass.
Abdul pulls Angel in to control the position.
Angel wants to control from the top but Abdul keeps moving.
Angel looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul trying to keep a closed guard but Angel is proving a slippery customer.

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

Angel looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Abdul has picked Angel up and slammed him! Angel can't keep hold of the triangle and Abdul manages to pass to side control!
Angel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Abdul moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Abdul trying to control the action but Angel is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angel is trying to improve his position.

Abdul is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Angel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Abdul trying to control the action but Angel is working from the bottom.
Abdul staying calm.

Abdul looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paula Abdul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Abdul swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Angel shoots in for a double leg but Abdul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Angel needs to keep his hands up - Abdul had a free shot at his head there.
Abdul swings widly with a right hand

and Angel counters with a nice double leg into side control. Abdul won't be happy with that.

Angel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Abdul knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Angel tries for a kimura but Abdul is defending well.

Angel looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul tries to buck Angel off but Angel is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Angel goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Abdul rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Angel's guard! Nice work there by Abdul!
Abdul's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Angel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Abdul defends well.
Abdul trying to control but Angel is working from the bottom.
Frank Angel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abdul won't allow Angel to sweep him here.

Angel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Abdul is aware though and is defending well.

Abdul is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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.
Abdul wants to control from the top but Angel keeps moving.
Angel keeping full guard, as Abdul tries to pass.
Abdul looking to sit in guard and control but Angel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Abdul keeping full guard, as Angel tries to pass.
Angel is working hard here to advance position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Abdul is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angel looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Abdul puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Abdul with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Abdul is looking for a kimura but Angel is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Abdul to get the leverage.
Angel is staying active underneath Abdul, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Angel trying to control here.
Abdul prevents Angel from improving his position.
Abdul is trying to control the action in half guard but Angel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Abdul is pressing down on Angel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Angel is holding on for now.
Abdul wants to control but Angel is keeping him busy.
Abdul wants to pass the guard but Angel is defending well.
Angel moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Abdul stopping the sweep attempt from Angel.

Angel working for a triangle but Abdul defends it easily.

Angel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abdul slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Abdul trying to control the position but Angel is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Frank Angel did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Abdul misses with an uppercut

and Angel counters with a takedown into side control.

Angel looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Abdul wants to control but Angel postures up.

Angel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Abdul's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Angel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angel is looking to take a break and control but Abdul is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Angel goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Abdul has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Angel but great work by Abdul.
Angel tries to bench press Abdul off him but Abdul keeps the position.
Abdul trying to control the action but Angel is working from the bottom.
Angel is trying to improve his position.
Abdul wants to control but Angel is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Angel is looking to reverse the position.
Abdul controlling the position from side mount.
Angel tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Abdul wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Abdul wants to lay and pray for a moment but Angel keeps working.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paula Abdul was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Abdul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Angel.
Abdul ducks right into an uppercut from Angel.

Angel shoots in and gets a takedown into Abdul's guard.
Abdul wants to sweep but no luck.
Angel trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Angel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Abdul is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Angel, into his guard.
Abdul wants to control from the top but Angel keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Angel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Abdul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Angel is keeping the position for now.

Angel looking for a guillotine here but Abdul defends easily.
Angel can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Abdul controls the pace.

Angel looking for a guillotine here but Abdul defends easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Abdul slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Angel had his way with Paula Abdul in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Angel takes a jab right on the kisser.
Abdul scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Abdul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Angel was well out of range. Poor timing from Abdul.
Angel misses with a hook
and Abdul cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice sprawl there from Abdul as Angel shoots in.
Abdul fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A telegraphed right hand from Abdul misses the target.
Abdul lands with a nice body punch.
Abdul throws a body punch but Angel moves out of range.
Angel on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Angel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Abdul is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Angel rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Abdul thows a body shot but no joy.
Abdul keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Abdul scores with a body shot.
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.
Abdul misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Angel counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Still in half guard, Angel seems content to control.
Abdul gets full guard.
Abdul is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Angel is refusing to be controlled, as Abdul sits in half guard.
Abdul takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Angel is not content to let Abdul control the position.
Angel tries to get to full guard but Abdul has control of the leg.
Abdul has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Angel can't escape the position.
Angel regains half guard.
Abdul wants to free his trapped foot but Angel is holding on for dear life with his legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abdul stalling.
Abdul prevents Angel from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Angel is not content to let Abdul control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Angel wants to improve his position but Abdul is controlling well.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Paula Abdul hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Angel misses with a takedown
and Abdul counters with a nice body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Angel is defended easily by Abdul.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Angel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Abdul.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Angel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Abdul.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Angel.
Abdul misses with a looping left.
Angel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Abdul with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Abdul fails to land with a series of punches.
Angel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Abdul to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A jab from Abdul does it's job there.
Abdul misses with a double jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paula Abdul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Abdul 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paula Abdul!
Paula Abdul is the new middleweight champion!