PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ashida Kai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rab Rehab (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kai's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Die Antwoord - "Fish Paste". Rehab is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: saturday nights alright for fighting. Ashida Kai had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kai
vs
Rehab

187 cm
33
172 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

185 cm
33
177 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ashida Kai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rab Rehab!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rehab tries to sprawl but Kai drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Kai looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ground and pound from Kai.
Rehab wants to get back to full guard.

Rehab manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Kai takes the fight into the clinch.

Rehab gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kai regains guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rehab pushing down on Kai's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Rehab is looking for a kimura but Kai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rehab to get the leverage.
Kai 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.
Rehab looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rehab missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rehab pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kai is trying to stand up here but Rehab is controlling him well.
Rehab wants to pass the guard but Kai is defending well.
Rehab looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kai is pressing down on Rehab's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rehab is controlling him.
Rehab would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rehab wants to control from the top but Kai keeps moving.
Rehab throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kai keeping full guard, as Rehab tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rehab wants to control from the top but Kai keeps moving.
We've been hearing good reports from Kai's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rab Rehab.
Kai lands with a slapping head kick.
Kai stuffs the takedown attempt from Rehab. Rehab gets slowly back to his feet.

Kai gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rehab is trying to control Kai's posture but Kai avoids it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kai is looking to take a break and control but Rehab is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kai gets to mount! Rehab was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rehab is trying to escape the mount.

Kai throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Rehab has his hands clasped together but Kai breaks the hold and Rehab is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Kai!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ashida Kai!
During a confident post fight interview, Ashida Kai thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.