PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Billy Bob Butcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaba Meshdej (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaba Meshdej is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Bob Butcher
vs
Meshdej

192 cm
25
217 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
19
218 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Namunamu Clothing
Speedy Supps + Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Billy Bob Butcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kaba Meshdej!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Meshdej tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Butcher swivels and escapes.
Meshdej blocks a head kick by Butcher.
Meshdej throws a head kick but Butcher moves out of range.
Meshdej fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Butcher avoids it really well and circles away.
Butcher fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Butcher checks a leg kick.
Meshdej tries to clinch but Butcher is having none of it.
Meshdej dives in for a single leg takedown but Butcher sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Billy Bob Butcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaba Meshdej.
Butcher is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Meshdej pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Butcher gets underhooks to prevent Meshdej's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meshdej has a couple of punches blocked by Butcher.
Meshdej is trying to pull guard but Butcher turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Meshdej takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Butcher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Butcher is trying to push Meshdej away but Meshdej has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Meshdej manages to pull guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Butcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Meshdej is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Meshdej escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Butcher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Meshdej is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meshdej landing some decent shots from guard.
Meshdej working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Meshdej from controlling successfully.
Butcher is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Meshdej slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Meshdej in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Meshdej from controlling successfully.
Meshdej tries to stand but Butcher is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Meshdej from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kaba Meshdej was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Butcher throws a leg kick

and Meshdej counters by clinching up.
Meshdej tries a body shot but Butcher blocks it.
Meshdej lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Meshdej fails to land.
Meshdej manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Meshdej pushes off an throws an elbow but Butcher leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Meshdej pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Meshdej tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Butcher paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Meshdej throws a jab but it's blocked by Butcher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher tries to bum rush Meshdej with a series of wild strikes but Meshdej uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Meshdej scores with a crisp jab that stopped Butcher in his tracks.
Meshdej ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Butcher moves away.

Meshdej fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Butcher sprawls well initially but Meshdej persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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!
Meshdej thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Butcher's head.
Butcher on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Butcher tries to get out of the position.
Meshdej throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nice strikes from Meshdej there.
Meshdej thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meshdej is trying to control. Butcher wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Butcher is concentrating on defense, preventing Meshdej from advancing position.
Meshdej is trying to control the action in half guard but Butcher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A punch combination from Butcher misses.
Butcher lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Meshdej tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Butcher manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Butcher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Meshdej avoids the head kick by Butcher.
Butcher throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Butcher throws a sloppy head kick and Meshdej moves out of range easily.
Meshdej slips a jab and a cross from Butcher.
Meshdej throws out a loose jab but Butcher uses good head movement to avoid it.

Meshdej moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Meshdej manages to break the clinch.
Butcher lands a jab to Meshdej's midsection.
Meshdej fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Meshdej takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Meshdej gets a double leg takedown into Butcher's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Meshdej won't allow Butcher to sweep him here.
Butcher trying to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Meshdej from controlling successfully.
Meshdej connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meshdej missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Butcher being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Butcher keeping moving, preventing Meshdej from controlling successfully.
Meshdej passes Butcher's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Meshdej thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Butcher is looking for a sweep. Meshdej is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher is staying active underneath Meshdej, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Butcher keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Butcher knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Meshdej on the ground.
Butcher wants to get back to his feet.
Meshdej wants to take a breather but Butcher is having none of it.
Meshdej scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Butcher keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Meshdej seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Butcher does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Meshdej missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Butcher trying to control but Meshdej postures up.
Meshdej slips a nice elbow through Butcher's hands, connecting with Butcher's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meshdej trying to control the action but Butcher is working from the bottom.
Butcher wants to control but Meshdej is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Meshdej is looking for a kimura here.
Butcher avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Meshdej.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Meshdej winds up and cracks Butcher with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Meshdej is keen to just control but Butcher is a slippery customer.

Meshdej is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Butcher defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaba Meshdej showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Meshdej takes the fight into the clinch.
Meshdej tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Meshdej takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Butcher wants to break free but Meshdej has control.
Butcher is trying to break the clinch but Meshdej has him pressed against the cage.
Butcher gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Meshdej.

Meshdej pulls guard.
Meshdej has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meshdej not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Meshdej is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Meshdej is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher trying to control but Meshdej is working from the bottom.
Butcher has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Meshdej is looking for a triangle but Butcher pushes his legs off easily.

Meshdej throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Butcher won't allow Meshdej to get back to his feet.
Butcher is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Butcher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Meshdej has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Butcher has managed to get both his arms back between Meshdej's legs - danger averted.
Butcher loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Butcher wants to stand but Meshdej has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Meshdej working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Butcher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Butcher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kaba Meshdej is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Meshdej wants to stand but Butcher is controlling the position.
Billy Bob Butcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meshdej trying to keep a closed guard but Butcher is proving a slippery customer.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Meshdej keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Meshdej wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Butcher throws a strike but Meshdej rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Butcher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meshdej pushing down on Butcher's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaba Meshdej comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Meshdej 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaba Meshdej!
Kaba Meshdej seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.