PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tobias Larsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Naser Al Shami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naser Al Shami has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Larsson
vs
Al Shami

195 cm
25
280 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
255 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tobias Larsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Naser Al Shami!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larsson tries to clinch there but Al Shami circles away.
Al Shami throws a wild body kick that Larsson sees coming a mile off.
Larsson misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Shami counters with a nice body shot.
Al Shami dodges the punch combination from Larsson.
Larsson tries to clinch but Al Shami is having none of it.
Al Shami misses with a wild combination.
Al Shami avoids the body shot from Larsson.
Larsson wants to clinch.
Larsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Shami sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Larsson somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shami scores with the left hand. Larsson knows he should have avoided that one.
Larsson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Al Shami counters with a nice uppercut.
Larsson lands a nice looking body shot.
Al Shami swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Larsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Shami is just out of range.
Al Shami avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Al Shami!
Naser Al Shami is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Shami dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Larsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Shami walks into a left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A combination from Larsson does no damage.
A big left from Al Shami misses.
Larsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Shami.
Larsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Larsson throws a right and a left that Al Shami avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Larsson is defended easily by Al Shami.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tobias Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larsson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Tobias Larsson has been cut.
Larsson fails with the takedown
enabling Al Shami to counter with a crisp jab.
Larsson shoots in and drives through. Al Shami sprawls well.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Al Shami!
Larsson wants to clinch
and Larsson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Shami.
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!
Larsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Good standup being displayed there by Al Shami as he connects with a hook.
Al Shami works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Larsson staying out of range there.
Larsson swings for the body but Al Shami moves out of range.
Larsson fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larsson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naser Al Shami dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tobias Larsson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Al Shami throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Larsson on the side of the head.
Larsson tries to clinch but Al Shami is having none of it.
Al Shami lands with a cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Al Shami.
Larsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Shami slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A combination from Al Shami does no damage.
Tobias Larsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Al Shami moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Shami avoids a punch combination nicely.
Larsson feints a jab promting Al Shami to slip. Larsson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Al Shami slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Naser Al Shami seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shami throws a jab when Larsson was well out of range.
Al Shami listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Larsson throws an off balance right hand
and Al Shami counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A combination from Al Shami does no damage.
Al Shami tests Larsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Larsson dodges the punch combination from Al Shami.
A jab from Al Shami finds it's way through Larsson's defenses.

Tobias Larsson's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Larsson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Larsson prevents Al Shami from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Al Shami keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Larsson controlling the action here.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Al Shami. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Al Shami tries to kick Larsson off but Larsson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Larsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Shami is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami taking some punishment here, with Larsson in his half guard.
Al Shami really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Larsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Larsson is nestled in close to Al Shami, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Al Shami wants to get back to his feet.
Larsson trying to control from Al Shami's half guard. Al Shami has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Larsson slips nicely into half guard.
Larsson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Larsson lands with a punch from half guard.
Larsson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Larsson wants to take a breather but Al Shami is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsson lands with a punch from half guard.
Larsson works his way into full mount!
Al Shami wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Larsson working the ground and pound effectively.
Al Shami is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Larsson controlling the pace for now.
Larsson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tobias Larsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tobias Larsson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Al Shami feints and then cracks Larsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Larsson down.
Al Shami needs to keep his hands up - Larsson had a free shot at his head there.
Larsson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Larsson shoots in but Al Shami avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Larsson moves in looking to clinch but Al Shami pushes him off.
Al Shami dodges the punch combination from Larsson.
Larsson shoots in but Al Shami avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Larsson avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Shami uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Larsson takes a swing at Al Shami's ribcage but misses.
Al Shami lands with an overhand left.
Larsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tobias Larsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Larsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Al Shami.
A chopping leg kick lands by Al Shami.
Larsson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Al Shami counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami throws a looping overhand right but Larsson ducks down to avoid it.
Larsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Shami stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A cross from Larsson lands.
Al Shami bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Larsson's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Al Shami gets caught flat footed, as Larsson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Larsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Larsson 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.
Larsson trying to control but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
Al Shami wants to stand and escape but Larsson is having none of it.
Larsson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Larsson chips away with some ground and pound.
Larsson looking to pass the guard.
Tobias Larsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Larsson won't allow Al Shami to get back to his feet.
Larsson lands a couple of elbows.
Larsson lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami wants to stand up but Larsson is controlling him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Larsson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Larsson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Al Shami has momentary wrist control but Larsson slips an elbow through the middle.
Larsson stands up over Al Shami, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Larsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larsson prevents Al Shami from getting back to his feet.
Larsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Shami is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Larsson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Larsson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tobias Larsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Larsson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tobias Larsson!