PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kev Musgrove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salim Abous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Musgrove
vs
Abous

175 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Intelligent

Biochemical Enhancement Edibles

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kev Musgrove!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Salim Abous!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Musgrove tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Abous swivels and escapes.
Abous fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Abous tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Musgrove swivels and escapes.

Abous dives in and scores a takedown into Musgrove's guard.
Abous trying to stand up but can't free himself from Musgrove's guard.
Abous lands a couple of elbows.
Abous showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Musgrove not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Abous passes into half guard.

Musgrove looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Musgrove is trying to stand back up but Abous is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abous wants to advance to full mount but Musgrove doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Abous gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Abous shoots and misses

and Musgrove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Musgrove.
Kev Musgrove has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salim Abous.
Musgrove 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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Abous can do anything to dispel that myth.
Abous keeping moving, preventing Musgrove from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Abous working for a triangle but Musgrove defends it easily.
Abous looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musgrove slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
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!
Abous being controlled for a moment.

Musgrove has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abous with a lazy takedown attempt

and Musgrove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Musgrove.
Abous working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musgrove.
Abous really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Musgrove. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Musgrove won't allow Abous to sweep him here.
Musgrove missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Musgrove sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Musgrove trying to control but Abous is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Kev Musgrove wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Some wild striking there from Musgrove.
Abous fails with the takedown
and Musgrove counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Musgrove closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Abous's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Musgrove is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abous working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Musgrove.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kev Musgrove dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Musgrove fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Abous to the ground. Musgrove is now in Abous's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Musgrove accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musgrove advances position into side control!
Musgrove is looking to take a break and control but Abous is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Musgrove seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Musgrove wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abous keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musgrove wants to take a breather but Abous manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Musgrove.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Musgrove accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kev Musgrove has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Musgrove tries to clinch up but Abous circles away and keeps his distance.
Kev Musgrove is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Musgrove fails with the takedown

and Abous counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Musgrove!
Musgrove is looking to improve his position but Abous isn't that keen on the idea.
Musgrove tries to hold on but Abous pushes him away.
Abous dominating with strikes here.
Abous can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Musgrove is looking to escape.
Musgrove working to try and regain half guard.

Abous has control of Musgrove's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Musgrove regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musgrove regains half guard.
Musgrove manages to get to full guard.
Musgrove wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Musgrove wants to get back to his feet but Abous is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Abous throwing strikes from guard but Musgrove blocks nicely.
Abous trying to control the position from guard on top but Musgrove is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Musgrove might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abous stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Musgrove swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Abous throws a strike but Musgrove rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Abous pulls Musgrove in to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Salim Abous.
Musgrove tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Abous swivels and escapes.
Abous tries for a takedown but Musgrove circles away easily

and Musgrove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Musgrove.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kev Musgrove dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Abous drives through with a takedown into Musgrove's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Musgrove wants to sweep but no luck.
Abous trying to control but Musgrove is working from the bottom.
Abous won't allow Musgrove to get back to his feet.
Abous throws a big elbow that misses.
Abous wants to pass the guard but Musgrove is keeping the position.
Abous trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Musgrove manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Abous looking to control.
Kev Musgrove overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Salim Abous was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Musgrove closes the distance and clinches.

Musgrove drags the fight down to the ground.
Musgrove working a defensive guard here.
Musgrove looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Musgrove keeping moving, preventing Abous from controlling successfully.
Abous stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Musgrove swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Musgrove working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abous.
Abous is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Musgrove looking for a sweep. Not yet Musgrove, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abous postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abous accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Musgrove manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Abous really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Abous is trying to stand.
Abous is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Musgrove stands up from mount. Strange move.
Abous shoots for a takedown but Musgrove saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Abous doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Musgrove counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Abous!
Musgrove trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Poor strikes thrown by Musgrove there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Musgrove looking to ground and pound but Abous is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abous is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Musgrove is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Abous is surviving well by controlling Musgrove's body position as best he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abous has given up his back here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abous covering up well under a series of strikes from Musgrove.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kev Musgrove showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Musgrove has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kev Musgrove!