PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rahman Ahmalabolic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Rosenthal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ahmalabolic might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Fanta Mojah - Hail The King. Frank Rosenthal will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ahmalabolic
vs
Rosenthal

200 cm
26
280 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

195 cm
25
270 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rahman Ahmalabolic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Rosenthal !
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rosenthal throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rosenthal slips under a jab from Ahmalabolic.
Ahmalabolic misses with a straight left.
A big right from Rosenthal misses.
Rosenthal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rosenthal takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ahmalabolic throws out a powerful jab.
Rosenthal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A big right from Rosenthal misses.
Ahmalabolic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rosenthal misses with a looping left.
Rosenthal tries to close the distance and clinch but Ahmalabolic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal doesn't manage to clinch there - Ahmalabolic circles away.
Ahmalabolic misses with the combination.
Ahmalabolic misses with a lunging right hand
and Rosenthal counters with a nice uppercut.
Rosenthal looks to land a right hand but Ahmalabolic moved out of range.
Rosenthal throws a looping overhand right but Ahmalabolic ducks down to avoid it.
Frank Rosenthal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rosenthal throws a lazy right hand but Ahmalabolic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rosenthal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ahmalabolic.
Rosenthal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ahmalabolic throws a hook but Rosenthal blocks it.

Rosenthal has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic goes for a takedown attempt but Rosenthal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rosenthal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rosenthal wants it to stay on the feet.
Ahmalabolic shoots in but Rosenthal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahman Ahmalabolic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rosenthal listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Rosenthal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rosenthal wants it to stay on the feet.

Rosenthal closes the distance and pushes Ahmalabolic back into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rosenthal makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rosenthal lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ahmalabolic backwards.
Rosenthal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ahmalabolic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ahmalabolic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ahmalabolic has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rosenthal clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ahmalabolic struggling to keep hold of the position.
Ahmalabolic is throwing shots to the body but Rosenthal manages to wriggle free. Ahmalabolic pounces on him again and ends up in Rosenthal 's guard.
Rosenthal wants to stand but Ahmalabolic is controlling the position.
Rosenthal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is looking to stand up but Ahmalabolic isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ahmalabolic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rosenthal avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rosenthal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ahmalabolic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rosenthal is looking to stand up but Ahmalabolic isn't so interested in that idea.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ahmalabolic trying to control but Rosenthal is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rosenthal dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ahmalabolic bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rosenthal is trying to get back to half guard.
Ahmalabolic misses with the ground and pound.
Rosenthal struggling a bit here.
Rosenthal is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ahmalabolic has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ahmalabolic sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rosenthal is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rosenthal is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Rosenthal managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ahmalabolic.
Ahmalabolic working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosenthal keeps working.
Rosenthal is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ahmalabolic asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rosenthal is not content to let Ahmalabolic control the position.
Ahmalabolic cracks Rosenthal with a big elbow.
Rosenthal stops Ahmalabolic from passing to mount.
Ahmalabolic working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Rosenthal is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic working the strikes but Rosenthal uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Ahmalabolic prevents Rosenthal from standing back up.
Ahmalabolic not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ahmalabolic wants to control but Rosenthal is keeping him busy.
Rosenthal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ahmalabolic.
Ahmalabolic tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rosenthal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ahmalabolic is just content to waste time from the top position. Rosenthal takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ahmalabolic pushing down on Rosenthal 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rosenthal has hold of Ahmalabolic's hands but Ahmalabolic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rosenthal pushes Ahmalabolic off looking to stand but Ahmalabolic dives back in and keeps control.
Rahman Ahmalabolic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is refusing to be controlled, as Ahmalabolic sits in half guard.
Rosenthal gets full guard.
Ahmalabolic is looking to work some ground and pound but Rosenthal has wrist control.
Ahmalabolic trying to control but Rosenthal is working from the bottom.
Rosenthal keeping full guard, as Ahmalabolic tries to pass.
Ahmalabolic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ahmalabolic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ahmalabolic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic wants to pass the guard but Rosenthal is keeping the position.
Ahmalabolic stops Rosenthal from standing up.
Ahmalabolic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ahmalabolic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Rosenthal counter with a right hand.
Ahmalabolic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rosenthal defends it nicely.
Rosenthal scores with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahman Ahmalabolic dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Rosenthal . Ahmalabolic does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Rosenthal .
Ahmalabolic fails with the takedown
and Ahmalabolic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ahmalabolic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rosenthal tries to move into range but Ahmalabolic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rosenthal moves out of range as Ahmalabolic strikes.
Rosenthal tries to clinch there but Ahmalabolic circles away.
Ahmalabolic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rosenthal lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahmalabolic was well out of range. Poor timing from Rosenthal .
Ahmalabolic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rosenthal tries to avoid it but Ahmalabolic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rosenthal to the ground. Rosenthal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahman Ahmalabolic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ahmalabolic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ahmalabolic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rosenthal tries to clinch there but Ahmalabolic circles away.
Ahmalabolic connects with a crisp jab.
Ahmalabolic keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab lands there for Rosenthal .
A decent looking cross lands there for Rosenthal .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal ducks under a wild hook from Ahmalabolic.
Jab from Rosenthal .
Ahmalabolic is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Ahmalabolic connects with a nice looking jab.
Rosenthal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rosenthal slaps away a takedown attempt from Ahmalabolic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ahmalabolic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rosenthal as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rosenthal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ahmalabolic misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic tries for a takedown but Rosenthal sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ahmalabolic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Frank Rosenthal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rosenthal moves in looking to clinch but Ahmalabolic pushes him off.
Rosenthal connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ahmalabolic. Ahmalabolic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rosenthal looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahmalabolic is just out of range.
Ahmalabolic changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A big right from Rosenthal misses.
Rosenthal looks to clinch
enabling Ahmalabolic to counter with a crisp jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ahmalabolic lands a right hand.

It looks like Frank Rosenthal has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahmalabolic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rosenthal s head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rosenthal prevents the takedown attempt.
Ahmalabolic goes for a takedown attempt but Rosenthal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rosenthal throws a body punch but Ahmalabolic moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ahmalabolic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd cheers as Rosenthal lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ahmalabolic doesn't seem phased though.
Rosenthal tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ahmalabolic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Rosenthal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rosenthal 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Rosenthal !
A relieved looking Frank Rosenthal thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.