PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Habib Al Tawil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wrestling Partner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Al Tawil
vs
Partner

195 cm
26
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Habib Al Tawil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wrestling Partner!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Partner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Al Tawil trying to control from the bottom.
Partner tries to pass the half guard into mount. Al Tawil knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Al Tawil on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Al Tawil tries to get out of the position.
Al Tawil is looking for a sweep. Partner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Partner trying to control the action but Al Tawil is working from the bottom.
Partner tries to stand but can't do so whilst Al Tawil controls his leg.
Al Tawil is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Partner trying to control from Al Tawil's half guard. Al Tawil has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Al Tawil is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Tawil keeping moving, preventing Partner from controlling successfully.
Al Tawil is trying to keep Partner in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Partner changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Al Tawil looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Partner decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Al Tawil buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Al Tawil misses with a takedown

and Partner counters with a single leg into guard. Al Tawil didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Tawil trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Tawil controlling the position.

Al Tawil looking for a guillotine here but Partner defends easily.
Al Tawil not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Partner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Al Tawil wants to sweep here but Partner controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Al Tawil tries to keep at a distance but Partner has taken the fight into the clinch.
Partner tries to pull guard but Al Tawil holds him up against the cage and eventually Partner drops back down to his feet.
Partner tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Al Tawil smiles and moves away.

Partner shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Al Tawil manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Al Tawil trying to keep a closed guard but Partner is proving a slippery customer.
Partner wants to control from the top but Al Tawil keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Tawil not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Partner wants to get up but he can't break Al Tawil's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Partner controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Wrestling Partner has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Partner scores with a takedown into Al Tawil's guard.
Partner wants to stand but Al Tawil has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Partner throws and elbow that misses. Al Tawil uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Partner's guard. Nice move by Al Tawil!
Partner wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrestling Partner dominated that round.
That's time! Al Tawil's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Partner drives through with a takedown into guard.
Al Tawil keeping moving, preventing Partner from controlling successfully.
Partner won't allow Al Tawil to get back to his feet.
Partner wants to control from the top but Al Tawil keeps moving.
Partner postures up.
Partner is looking to work some ground and pound but Al Tawil has wrist control.
Partner slips nicely into half guard.
Partner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Partner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Tawil keeps working.
Wrestling Partner has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Tawil is concentrating on defense, preventing Partner from advancing position.
Al Tawil is refusing to be controlled, as Partner sits in half guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Wrestling Partner hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Al Tawil avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Al Tawil with a poor takedown

and Partner counters with a takedown into side control.
Al Tawil manages to get back to half guard.
Partner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Al Tawil wants to get back to his feet.

Partner is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Al Tawil has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Tawil is trying to control but can't.
Partner tries to pass the half guard into mount. Al Tawil knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Al Tawil tries to get to full guard but Partner has control of the leg.

Partner decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Al Tawil.

Partner shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Partner showed some decent athleticism there.
Al Tawil has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Partner is working away from the top position though.
Partner trying to control the action but Al Tawil is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Wrestling Partner hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Partner clinches with his opponent.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Maybe Al Tawil would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.

Partner turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Al Tawil is trying to get back to his feet.
Partner throwing strikes but Al Tawil manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Partner is trying to improve his position.
Partner wants to control but Al Tawil postures up.
Partner is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Al Tawil is staying active.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrestling Partner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Al Tawil closes the distance and clinches.
Al Tawil tries to pull guard but Partner won't allow it.
Partner jumps guard but Al Tawil stands there with Partner around his waist. Partner gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Partner is trying to break the clinch but Al Tawil has him pressed against the cage.
Partner leaning against his opponent.
Al Tawil is trying to stall.
Partner has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Partner has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Al Tawil avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Partner tries to pull guard but Al Tawil holds him up against the cage and eventually Partner drops back down to his feet.
Habib Al Tawil has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wrestling Partner.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Al Tawil pulls guard successfully.
Partner trying to control but Al Tawil is working from the bottom.
Al Tawil has momentary wrist control but Partner slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partner wants to control from the top but Al Tawil keeps moving.
Partner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Al Tawil pushes Partner off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Partner throws a leg kick

and Al Tawil counters by clinching up.

Partner manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Partner trying to keep a closed guard but Al Tawil is proving a slippery customer.
Partner is striking from the bottom but Al Tawil uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Tawil looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Partner trying to control but Al Tawil postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Wrestling Partner has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Al Tawil looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Partner slaps away a takedown attempt from Al Tawil, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Tawil shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Partner moves into the clinch.

Partner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Al Tawil gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Partner counters with a takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Partner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Tawil keeps working.
Al Tawil prevents Partner from improving position.
Al Tawil takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Al Tawil is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Partner tries for a kimura but Al Tawil is defending well.

Partner is trying to get an arm triangle but Al Tawil is defending well.
Al Tawil struggling a bit here.
Habib Al Tawil has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wrestling Partner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Partner trying to control the position but Al Tawil is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wrestling Partner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Partner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wrestling Partner!