PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khairi Fortt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Everth Cabaret (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fortt
vs
Cabaret

188 cm
24
202 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

190 cm
25
200 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Crippler's Corner

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 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Khairi Fortt!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Everth Cabaret!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cabaret tried to score with a low kick but Fortt checks it.
Fortt chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cabaret can pounce on him.
Fortt's corner calls for a 1-2. Fortt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cabaret misses with a body kick.
Cabaret scores with a hook to the body. Fortt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cabaret avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cabaret pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
That kick from Cabaret tenderised Fortt's leg. Fortt is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cabaret fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fortt is out of range.
Cabaret keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Fortt moves into the clinch successfully.
Fortt managing to block the knees to the body from Cabaret.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fortt.
Cabaret looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabaret's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

It looks like Everth Cabaret has been cut.
Cabaret tries to break free but Fortt pushes him back against the ropes.
Fortt stops a takedown attempt from Cabaret.
Fortt throws a punch but it's blocked by Cabaret.

Cabaret manages to break the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cabaret.
Fortt moves out of range as Cabaret strikes.

Fortt rushes Cabaret and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Fortt lands a takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fortt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cabaret trying to keep a closed guard but Fortt is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortt trying to move into half guard but instead Cabaret has managed to sweep!
Fortt is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cabaret is controlling him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fortt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cabaret trying to control the position from guard on top but Fortt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fortt wants to sweep here but Cabaret controlling him for the moment.
Fortt has control of Cabaret's left arm, preventing Cabaret from doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fortt walks into a jab.
Cabaret throws a chopping leg kick but Fortt manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fortt's calf.
The crowd cheers as Fortt lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cabaret doesn't seem phased though.
Cabaret thumps Fortt with a low kick.
Fortt fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cabaret tries to score with a low kick but Fortt moves his leg out of the way.
Fortt tries to clinch but Cabaret moves out of range.
Fortt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cabaret swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fortt throws a looping overhand right but Cabaret ducks down to avoid it.
Cabaret swings for the body but Fortt moves out of range.
Fortt connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cabaret momentarily.
Fortt tries to clinch there but Cabaret circles away.
A big left from Fortt misses.
Cabaret is looking to land body kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret feints and then cracks Fortt's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fortt down.
Fortt moves out of range of the body kick from Cabaret.
Fortt lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabaret uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fortt.
Fortt slips a straight right by Cabaret.
Cabaret misses with a body kick.
Fortt takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Everth Cabaret seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fortt tries for a takedown but Cabaret sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fortt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cabaret tries to work over Fortt's front leg with a kick but Fortt checks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabaret throws a low kick, looking for Fortt's leg but Fortt calmly moves out of range.
Fortt connects with a crisp jab.
Cabaret looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Everth Cabaret will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Everth Cabaret's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Cabaret scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fortt in his tracks.
Cabaret avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cabaret throws out a leg kick but Fortt moves out of range and Cabaret only half commits.
Fortt misses with an uppercut. Cabaret saw that one coming.
A big right from Fortt misses.
Fortt connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cabaret. Cabaret circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cabaret lands a front kick.
Fortt blocks the body kick.
Cabaret misses with an attempted mid kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cabaret lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fortt has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fortt and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Fortt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cabaret manages to avoid it.
Fortt lands a body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Fortt blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortt checks a leg kick nicely.
Cabaret fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fortt is out of range.
Fortt tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Cabaret manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cabaret is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fortt.
Fortt moves out of range of the strikes.
Fortt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fortt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fortt tries to clinch but Cabaret moves out of range.
Fortt misses with a body shot
and Cabaret counters with a thumping low kick.
Fortt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cabaret.
Cabaret throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cabaret looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fortt is fending him off so far but Cabaret persists. Nope, Fortt circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret defending well as Fortt loads up on a big left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fortt. Cabaret does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cabaret uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fortt.
Fortt moves in looking to clinch but Cabaret pushes him off.
Fortt throws a shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Fortt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cabaret misses with a leg kick.
Cabaret fakes the leg kick and cracks Fortt in the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabaret tries to land a leg kick but Fortt saw it coming and moves away.
Fortt scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fortt is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cabaret.
Cabaret looks to land a body kick but Fortt moved away.
Fortt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortt misses with a body shot.
Everth Cabaret seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fortt moves out of range of the body kick.
Fortt tries to clinch up.
Fortt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cabaret swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A jab from Fortt misses.
Cabaret with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fortt misses with a left hand
and Cabaret counters with a straight right hand.
Cabaret is looking to slow Fortt down with leg kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Fortt misses the target.
Fortt scores with a punch to the head.
Fortt tries to clinch but Cabaret is having none of it.
Fortt shoots in for a takedown but Cabaret shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret throws a push kick but Fortt slaps the foot to one side.
Fortt moves in looking to clinch but Cabaret pushes him off.
Fortt misses with a straight left.
Fortt avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabaret walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fortt checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Fortt checks a leg kick.
Cabaret scores with a nice body kick.

Fortt moves into range and clinches up with Cabaret.
Cabaret has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fortt after a bit of a struggle.
Khairi Fortt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Everth Cabaret.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabaret wants to stall.
Fortt scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Everth Cabaret will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Everth Cabaret's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cabaret stuffs the takedown attempt from Fortt. Fortt gets slowly back to his feet.
Fortt looks to throw the jab but Cabaret is out of range.
Cabaret circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cabaret throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fortt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cabaret was well out of range. Poor timing from Fortt.
Fortt tries to clinch there but Cabaret circles away.
Cabaret takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Cabaret feints and as Fortt raises his hands in defense, Cabaret changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cabaret trying to control but Fortt is working from the bottom.
Cabaret landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortt wants to stand up but Cabaret is controlling him.
Cabaret wants to control from the top but Fortt keeps moving.
Cabaret postures up in Fortt's guard and throws a big left but Fortt blocks it.
Cabaret working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fortt's head.
Cabaret keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fortt's head.
Fortt wants to get back to his feet but Cabaret is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fortt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cabaret is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret is looking to work some ground and pound but Fortt has wrist control.
Fortt is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Cabaret works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Cabaret missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cabaret thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fortt's head.
Fortt pushes Cabaret off looking to stand but Cabaret dives back in and keeps control.
Cabaret sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fortt defending well though.
Cabaret wants to control but Fortt is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortt tries to get to full guard but Cabaret has control of the leg.
Cabaret lands strikes from half guard.
Cabaret sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fortt defending well though.
Fortt is looking to control Cabaret's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fortt avoid being mounted?
Fortt is pressing down on Cabaret's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cabaret working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fortt is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cabaret working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret is looking to work some ground and pound but Fortt has wrist control.
Cabaret postures up in Fortt's guard and throws a big left but Fortt blocks it.
Fortt is trying to keep Cabaret in close.
Fortt preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fortt looking to control.
Fortt wants to stand and escape but Cabaret is having none of it.
Cabaret throws an elbow that misses. Fortt uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cabaret's guard. Nice move by Fortt!
Fortt is looking to advance position but Cabaret has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabaret throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Everth Cabaret really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Everth Cabaret's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A good leg kick by Cabaret.
Fortt just misses with a punch to the body.
Cabaret misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Fortt counter with a right hand.
Fortt just misses with a punch to the body.
Cabaret connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cabaret wants to slow Fortt down by chopping away at his legs.
Cabaret on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cabaret scores with a shot to the body.
Fortt misses with a double jab.
Fortt lands a jab to the head.
Cabaret closes the distance and clinches up with Fortt, looking for a takedown. Cabaret pushes Fortt against the ropes but Fortt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cabaret looks for the body kick but Fortt saw that one coming.
Fortt checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fortt. Cabaret does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cabaret throws a leg kick which misses Fortt's front leg but catches the back leg as Fortt tries to avoid it.

Cabaret gets the takedown into side control.

Cabaret is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fortt has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cabaret working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Cabaret fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fortt dodges the ground and pound from Cabaret.
Cabaret is looking to take a break and control but Fortt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cabaret tries to score with some ground and pound. Fortt controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortt struggling a bit here.
Cabaret fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fortt is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cabaret off and has taken his back!
Cabaret rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cabaret is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cabaret is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortt is trying to control. Cabaret wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Fortt is looking for a kimura here.
Cabaret wants to get back to full guard.
Cabaret is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fortt's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fortt's back!
Fortt manages to reverse the position and now he's in Cabaret's guard. Nice work there by Fortt.
Fortt looking to pass the guard.
Fortt is looking to advance position but Cabaret has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret looking to control but Fortt is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Fortt wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Cabaret.
Fortt regains half guard.
Fortt avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cabaret.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabaret perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Cabaret is keen to just control but Fortt is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Everth Cabaret dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Everth Cabaret's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fortt doesn't manage to clinch there - Cabaret circles away.
Fortt lands a right hook to the body.
Fortt moves out of range as Cabaret throws a body kick.
Cabaret chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fortt jabs at Cabaret's body.
Fortt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fortt misses with a body shot.
Fortt tries to clinch but Cabaret is having none of it.
Fortt dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cabaret.
Fortt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fortt pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortt tries to clinch there but Cabaret circles away.
Cabaret lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Fortt lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fortt is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Fortt checks a low kick from Cabaret.
Cabaret misses with a low kick.
Cabaret throws a shot from downtown. Fortt moves away and avoids it.
Fortt tries to clinch up.
Cabaret shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fortt but Fortt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fortt cracks Cabaret with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Cabaret uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fortt.
Cabaret lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Khairi Fortt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Everth Cabaret is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret looks to score with a jab to the body but Fortt is just out of range.
Cabaret throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fortt moves in looking to clinch but Cabaret pushes him off.
Fortt chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cabaret can pounce on him.
Fortt tries to close the distance and clinch but Cabaret swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
That kick from Cabaret tenderised Fortt's leg. Fortt is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fortt jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A low kick from Cabaret is predictable there

and Fortt counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cabaret!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabaret gets back to half guard.
Fortt is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Fortt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cabaret is keeping the position for now.
Everth Cabaret has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cabaret keeping full guard, as Fortt tries to pass.
Fortt is working hard here to advance position.
Cabaret not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fortt looking to pass the guard.
Fortt pushes down on Cabaret's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabaret trying to control here.
Fortt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cabaret defending well though.

Fortt is looking for a kimura but Cabaret is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fortt to get the leverage.

Cabaret is defending against the submission attempts here by Fortt.
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.
Fortt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cabaret regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fortt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khairi Fortt showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cabaret 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 46:49

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