PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohamed al Hadj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bilbo Baggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). al Hadj comes to the cage accompanied by Hypnotized Lebanon. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

al Hadj
vs
Baggins

191 cm
34
200 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

180 cm
35
190 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohamed al Hadj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bilbo Baggins!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
al Hadj misses with a low kick as Baggins jumps back.
Baggins lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Baggins keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick misses from al Hadj.
al Hadj is looking to slow Baggins down with leg kicks.
al Hadj lands a nice looking body kick.
Some wild striking there from Baggins.
Baggins throws a hook but al Hadj blocks it.
al Hadj throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
al Hadj uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baggins.
al Hadj throws a looping overhand right but Baggins ducks down to avoid it.
Baggins lands a straight punch to the body, keeping al Hadj at a distance.
al Hadj throws a nice outside leg kick.
al Hadj pulls out of a head kick attempt.
al Hadj looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baggins staying out of range there.
Bilbo Baggins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baggins cracks al Hadj with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bagginss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baggins missing with a left hand there. al Hadj was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baggins closes this distance looking for a takedown but al Hadj circles away.
An inside leg kick from al Hadj misses.
Mohamed al Hadj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baggins paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Baggins swings for the body but al Hadj moves out of range.
al Hadj stuffs the takedown attempt from Baggins. Baggins gets slowly back to his feet.
Some bone on bone action there as al Hadj checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
al Hadj lands with a nice body punch.
al Hadj buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

al Hadj gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
al Hadj utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj keeping moving, preventing Baggins from controlling successfully.
Baggins passes into half guard.
Baggins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but al Hadj does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
al Hadj wants to control but Baggins is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Baggins thows a huge punch but al Hadj dodges it nicely.
Baggins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Baggins trying to work for an americana but al Hadj has managed to regain full guard.
Baggins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
al Hadj manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Baggins manages to get himself to full guard.

Baggins pushes a forearm under al Hadj's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, al Hadj is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bilbo Baggins!