PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ip Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohamed al Hadj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man comes to the cage accompanied by The Legend Is Born. The crowd seem to be enjoying al Hadj's choice of entrance music: Hypnotized Lebanon. Mohamed al Hadj has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Man
vs
al Hadj

184 cm
27
197 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

191 cm
34
200 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Project Mayhem

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ip Man!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohamed al Hadj!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
al Hadj thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Man if he has to take too many more of those.
Man takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
al Hadj tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
al Hadj takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Mohamed al Hadj has been cut.
al Hadj cracks a nice hook into Man's ribs.
Man looks to throw a body kick

and al Hadj counters by moving into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, al Hadj just misses with a elbow thrown towards Man's brow.
Man lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Man can't find room to land a body shot as al Hadj controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by al Hadj.
Man blocks the elbow strike.

al Hadj pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body kick there by al Hadj.
al Hadj takes a swing at Man's ribcage but misses.
al Hadj checks a low kick from Man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj takes a swing at Man's ribcage but misses.
Man moves out of range of the strikes.
al Hadj 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.
No joy there for al Hadj, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
al Hadj throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

al Hadj closes the distance and pushes Man back into the cage.

al Hadj escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Man throws a chopping leg kick but al Hadj manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Man ducks right into an uppercut from al Hadj.
al Hadj thumps Man with a low kick.
al Hadj changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body kick there by al Hadj.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from al Hadj - that will leave a mark!
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!
al Hadj misses with an uppercut.
Man thuds his right hand into al Hadj's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Man lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but al Hadj circles away quickly and effectively.
Man checks a leg kick.
Man slips a straight right by al Hadj.
al Hadj scores with a nice body kick.
al Hadj turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Man takes one to the side of the head.
Man is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by al Hadj.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj looks to score with a jab to the body but Man is just out of range.
al Hadj scores with a head kick. Man tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Ip Man has been cut.
Man wants to clinch but al Hadj slips to the side
and al Hadj counters with a two punch combo.
al Hadj changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Oooooh!!! al Hadj has knocked Man down with a huge combo! al Hadj steps away and waves a wobbly Man back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Man is rocked!
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!
Man thows a left - swing and a miss!
Oh Man is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Man feints and then cracks al Hadj's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow al Hadj down.
Man seems to have got his legs back now.
Man avoids the head kick by al Hadj.
al Hadj turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
al Hadj wants to clinch up but Man keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj just misses with a punch to the body.
al Hadj keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
al Hadj walks into a stiff left hand from Man.
al Hadj has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Man misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Man tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but al Hadj was well out of range. Poor timing from Man.
al Hadj uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mohamed al Hadj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
al Hadj misses with a kick to the body.
al Hadj lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Man at a distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
al Hadj lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Man at a distance.
Man misses with a body shot
enabling al Hadj to counter with a crisp jab.
That kick from Man tenderised al Hadj's leg. al Hadj is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed al Hadj dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Man's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

al Hadj pushes Man up against the cage in a clinch.
Man lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Man tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
al Hadj tries to work over Man's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Man misses with a body punch.
Man misses with some punches.
al Hadj lands an elbow inside.
Man keeps the fight in the clinch, despite al Hadj's efforts to push away.
Man misses with some punches.
Man leaning his opponent against the cage.
Man goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
al Hadj lands an elbow inside that Man shrugs off.
Man swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Man avoids a wild elbow strike from al Hadj.
The referee is keeping an eye on Man - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Man misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man lands an uppercut.
Man trying to control the position but instead, al Hadj has worked for underhooks and has pushed Man into the cage.

al Hadj manages to break the clinch.
Man tries to work over al Hadj's front leg with a kick but al Hadj checks it.
Man throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
al Hadj misses with a body shot.
Man swats away the attempt to clinch by al Hadj.
al Hadj just misses with a punch to the body.
al Hadj checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man swinging wildly here.
al Hadj ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Man moves away.
al Hadj lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Man will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
No joy there for al Hadj, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Man misses with a wild body shot.
Man stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from al Hadj.
al Hadj misses with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by al Hadj.
Man looks to throw the jab but al Hadj is out of range.
Man misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Man crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from al Hadj - the referee stops the clock and Man gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says al Hadj. Man manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Man rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but al Hadj moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
al Hadj looks to score with a jab to the body but Man is just out of range.
Man tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and al Hadj is able to avoid easily.
al Hadj tries to clinch up but Man circles away and keeps his distance.
al Hadj throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Man swings widly with a right hand
and al Hadj counters with a solid body kick.
al Hadj misses with a wild body shot.
al Hadj is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Man rather than just go for the knockout.

al Hadj moves into the clinch successfully.
al Hadj blocking some punches.

al Hadj escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man misses with a straight right.
al Hadj throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

al Hadj closes the distance and pushes Man back into the cage.
Man lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Man misses with a hook from the clinch.
Man lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Man lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Man lands with a short head shot on the inside.
al Hadj has a couple of punches blocked by Man.
A hook to the body from al Hadj.
al Hadj managing to block the knees to the body from Man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
al Hadj tries to throw a body punch but Man avoids it by throwing al Hadj back against the cage.
al Hadj creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Man's defenses.

Man jumps into guard, dragging al Hadj to the mat.
Man is trying to control the position but al Hadj postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed al Hadj showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Man throws a hook but al Hadj avoids it easily.
Man misses with a leg kick

and al Hadj holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Man cracks al Hadj with a nice body shot.
al Hadj scores with a shoulder strike.
al Hadj scores with a nice hook to the head.
Man tries to work over al Hadj's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
al Hadj blocking some punches.
Man swings wildly with an uppercut but al Hadj uses good head movement to avoid it.
Man blocks an elbow strike.
Man tries to stall but al Hadj uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
al Hadj is trying to push Man away but Man has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Man throws a blind hook that connects with the side of al Hadjs head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, al Hadj just misses with a elbow thrown towards Man's brow.
al Hadj throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for Man.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Man struggles to land a body shot inside as al Hadj controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man avoids the elbow strike from al Hadj, against the cage.
Man avoids the elbow strike from al Hadj, against the cage.
Man misses with a hook from the clinch.
al Hadj tries to throw a body punch but Man avoids it by throwing al Hadj back against the cage.
Man misses with a hook from the clinch.
Man works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Man trying to stall but al Hadj improves his position.
Man letting al Hadj take a breather here.
al Hadj tries a body shot but Man blocks it.
Man scores with a hook to the body.
al Hadj pushes off an throws an elbow but Man leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Man fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

al Hadj breaks the clinch.
al Hadj throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Man takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ip Man has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj wants to slow Man down by chopping away at his legs.
al Hadj misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Man.
Man seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Nice shot lands for al Hadj.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
al Hadj avoids a kick to the body.
al Hadj moves in looking to clinch but Man pushes him off.
Man misses with a low kick.
al Hadj is looking to clinch but Man is avoiding it.
Man moves away from the strike by al Hadj.
Some bone on bone action there as Man checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Man pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! al Hadj slams his shin into Man's torso.
al Hadj looks to score with a jab to the body but Man is just out of range.
al Hadj lands with a shot to the body.
al Hadj tried to score with a low kick but Man checks it.
Nice defenses there by Man.
al Hadj tries to clinch
and Man counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Man lands with a cross.
Man uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Man is predictable there
and al Hadj counters with a left to the body.
Man swings widly with a right hand
and Man takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man throws a body punch but al Hadj moves out of range.
Man tried to score with a low kick but al Hadj checks it.
al Hadj looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Man is on the wrong end of a nice combination from al Hadj.
al Hadj throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Man works al Hadj's body with a nice hook.
al Hadj uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Man.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Man misses with a leg kick
and al Hadj counters with a lovely straight right hand!
al Hadj misses with a body punch

and Man moves into the clinch.
Man comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mohamed al Hadj.
I've got al Hadj winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohamed al Hadj!
Mohamed al Hadj decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.