PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sammy Farha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Farha comes into the arena with Ari Gold - Let's Hug It Out, BITCH blaring out of the sound system. Siphiwe Tshabalala has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Farha
vs
Tshabalala

178 cm
24
167 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
22
165 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sammy Farha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Farha on the side of the head.
Farha circles away from the clinch attempt
and Farha counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Farha blocks the body kick.
Good leg kick by Tshabalala there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Farha swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Tshabalala gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Farha can't find room to land a body shot as Tshabalala controls the action.
Tshabalala looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farha tries to work over Tshabalala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Farha digs a right hand into Tshabalala's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tshabalala's gas tank.
Tshabalala lands an uppercut.
Farha tries to throw a body punch but Tshabalala avoids it by throwing Farha back against the cage.
Farha prevents a body shot from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala tries a knee to the head but Farha blocks it.
Tshabalala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Farha's elbow.
Farha lands a hook that snaps the head of Tshabalala backwards.
Farha tries a body shot but Tshabalala blocks it.
Farha lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tshabalala works on Farha's body with a couple of short punches.
Farha works on Tshabalala's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice left hand lands by Farha.
Farha blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Farha is leaning against Tshabalala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tshabalala missing with knees to the body.
Farha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Farha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Farha just stands there and leans against the cage.
Farha tries to work over Tshabalala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tshabalala lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tshabalala unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Farha managing to block the knees to the body from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala looking to throw knees to the head but Farha is blocking nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tshabalala - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Farha tries to throw a body punch but Tshabalala avoids it by throwing Farha back against the cage.
Farha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tshabalalas head.
Tshabalala blocks a body shot from Farha.
Tshabalala misses with a punch to the body.
Farha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tshabalala works on Farha's body with a couple of short punches.
Farha goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Farha lands a nice uppercut.
Farha managing to block the knees to the body from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala digs a right hand underneath Farha's ribcage. Farha let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farha lands a body punch.
Farha tries to work over Tshabalala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tshabalala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Farha is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Farha lands a hook that snaps the head of Tshabalala backwards.
Farha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Farha blocks an uppercut.
Tshabalala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tshabalala tries to throw a body punch but Farha avoids it by throwing Tshabalala back against the cage.
Tshabalala avoiding damage.
Farha prevents a body shot from Tshabalala.
Farha is trying to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for Tshabalala.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala throws a punch but it's blocked by Farha.
Tshabalala takes a shot to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice right hand lands inside from Farha.
Tshabalala trying to land knees to the body.
Farha throws a punch but it's blocked by Tshabalala.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tshabalala misses with a knee to the head.
Farha misses with a punch to the body.
Farha misses with a punch to the body.
Tshabalala prevents a body shot from Farha.
Farha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tshabalala's elbow.
Farha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tshabalala prevents a body shot from Farha.
Farha misses with some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Farha tries a body shot but Tshabalala blocks it.
Farha can't find room to land a body shot as Tshabalala controls the action.
Tshabalala missing with knees to the body.
Farha misses with a hook to the ribs.
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 Sammy Farha will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tshabalala doesn't manage to clinch there - Farha circles away.
Tshabalala misses with a low kick as Farha jumps back.
Tshabalala bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Farha takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tshabalala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tshabalala misses with a leg kick

and Farha counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Farha.
Farha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Farha.
Farha misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tshabalala backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Farha as Tshabalala tries to tie him up.
A short right from Tshabalala on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Farha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Farha is pushing Tshabalala up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Farha digs a right hand into Tshabalala's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tshabalala's gas tank.
Tshabalala leaning against his opponent.
Tshabalala misses with a punch on the inside.
Farha lands a right hand.
Tshabalala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Farha blocks it with crossed arms.
Farha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tshabalala's elbow.
Farha tries to work over Tshabalala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Farha on the inside.
Farha lands a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tshabalala misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Farha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tshabalala tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Farha has Tshabalala pressed against the cage.
Farha lands a body shot in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Farha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tshabalala tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Farha smiles and moves away.

Tshabalala moves into the clinch.
Tshabalala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tshabalala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Farha's elbow.
Tshabalala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Farha's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Farha.
Farha digs a right hand underneath Tshabalala's ribcage. Tshabalala let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Farha misses with a body punch.
Tshabalala scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sammy Farha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Farha lands a nice shot to the body.
Farha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tshabalala is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tshabalala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Farha blocks it with crossed arms.
Farha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tshabalala or not.
Tshabalala tries to work over Farha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Farha tries to throw a body punch but Tshabalala avoids it by throwing Farha back against the cage.
Tshabalala landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tshabalala with a knee to the head.
Farha tries to throw a body punch but Tshabalala avoids it by throwing Farha back against the cage.
Tshabalala is trying to maintain a safe position but Farha gets an underhook and turns Tshabalala into the cage.
Farha presses Tshabalala against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Farha pushes Tshabalala back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala tries to stall but Farha uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tshabalala is breathing heavily.
Tshabalala blocks a body shot from Farha.
Tshabalala struggles to land a body shot inside as Farha controls his hands.
Tshabalala lands a nice uppercut.
Farha tries a body shot but Tshabalala blocks it.
A short right from Farha.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Farha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Farha struggles to land a body shot inside as Tshabalala controls his hands.
Farha tries to throw a body punch but Tshabalala avoids it by throwing Farha back against the cage.
Tshabalala tries to throw a body punch but Farha avoids it by throwing Tshabalala back against the cage.
Tshabalala struggles to land a body shot inside as Farha controls his hands.
Farha prevents a body shot from Tshabalala.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tshabalala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Farha has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Farha lands a nice shot to the body.
Tshabalala tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Farha avoids it.
Tshabalala blocks a body shot from Farha.
Farha misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sammy Farha will probably get the nod.
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!

Tshabalala misses with a body kick.
Tshabalala tries to clinch up.
Tshabalala lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tshabalala.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tshabalala.

Farha shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Farha lands a nice shot to the head.
Tshabalala is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farha scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Tshabalala?
Farha looking to control but Tshabalala is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
A nice elbow there by Farha.
Farha controlling his opponent.
Siphiwe Tshabalala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Tshabalala tries to lock up and control but Farha gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Farha working Tshabalala over with strikes here.
Farha prevents Tshabalala from getting the reversal.
Farha 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Farha working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Farha cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Farha lands a big shot there that rocks Tshabalala but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Farha lands a big elbow.
Tshabalala is looking to get to half guard.
Farha sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Farha seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Tshabalala for as long as he can get away with.
Sammy Farha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sammy Farha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Farha, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sammy Farha!