PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bozidar Bozovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abiodun Rashidi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rashidi has chosen Earth: The Oldest Computer as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bozovic
vs
Rashidi

200 cm
23
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bozidar Bozovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abiodun Rashidi!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Reed Andrews and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bozovic decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rashidi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rashidi is not content to let Bozovic control the position.

Rashidi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bozovic pulls his head out easily.
Rashidi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rashidi wants to sweep but no luck.
Bozovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rashidi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bozovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Rashidi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rashidi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bozovic defends well.
Rashidi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashidi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rashidi tries to strike from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bozovic gets to his feet - Rashidi follows without any prompting.

Bozovic feints and as Rashidi raises his hands in defense, Bozovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bozovic won't allow Rashidi to sweep him here.
Rashidi pulls Bozovic in close to prevent any damage.
Bozovic looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rashidi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bozovic wants to pass the guard but Rashidi is keeping the position.
Bozovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rashidi on the ground.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rashidi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashidi wants to stand up but Bozovic is controlling him.
Bozovic controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bozidar Bozovic wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bozovic throws a head kick that misses.

Rashidi gets tackled into the cage by Bozovic. Bozovic maintains the clinch.

Rashidi jumps guard.
Rashidi working a defensive guard but Bozovic manages to pass into side control anyway.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bozovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rashidi keeps working.
Bozovic in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozovic wants to control but Rashidi is keeping him busy.
Rashidi misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Rashidi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bozovic's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rashidi wants to improve his position but Bozovic is controlling well.
Rashidi trying to control but Bozovic postures up.
Rashidi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bozovic haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rashidi tries to roll over but Bozovic keeps him under control.
Rashidi trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abiodun Rashidi has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rashidi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bozovic swivels and escapes.

Bozovic closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rashidi did well to prevent Bozovic getting side control.
Rashidi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bozovic is working away from the top position though.
Rashidi manages to get to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rashidi keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

Rashidi working for a triangle but Bozovic defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rashidi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Abiodun Rashidi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bozovic throws a head kick that misses.

Rashidi has Bozovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Bozovic controlling the action here for a moment.
Rashidi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Come on Rashidi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bozovic working hard to break the clinch.
Rashidi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bozovic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rashidi fails to pull guard.
Rashidi is trying to push Bozovic away but Bozovic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rashidi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Rashidi manages to break the clinch.

Bozovic feints and as Rashidi raises his hands in defense, Bozovic changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rashidi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bozovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bozovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rashidi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rashidi is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Bozovic frees his head nicely. Oh but Rashidi has switched to an armbar! Bozovic is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Abiodun Rashidi!
A less than humble Abiodun Rashidi misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.