PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Hagen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abe Goldman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hagen
vs
Goldman

178 cm
36
201 lbs
26 - 7 - 0

190 cm
38
190 lbs
37 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Hagen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Abe Goldman!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hagen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Goldman swivels and escapes.
Goldman misses with a straight right.
Goldman lands a high kick!
Goldman throws a shot from downtown. Hagen moves away and avoids it.
Goldman misses with a straight left.
Nice shot by Goldman.
Goldman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hagens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hagen darts in looking for a takedown but Goldman gets double underhooks and turns Hagen into the cage.
Goldman is trying to break free.
Hagen prevents Goldman from breaking the clinch.
Hagen is trying to drag Goldman to the mat but Goldman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hagen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Goldman pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goldman breaks from the clinch.
Goldman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Goldman throws a hook but Hagen blocks it.
Hagen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Goldman as he avoids it easily.
Goldman throws out a loose jab but Hagen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hagen shoots in looking for a takedown. Goldman tries to sprawl out of it but Hagen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Goldman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Abe Goldman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goldman connects with a leg kick. Hagen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Goldman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Goldman wants it to stay on the feet.
Hagen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Goldman tries to avoid it but Hagen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Goldman to the ground. Goldman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Goldman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Abe Goldman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hagen fails with the takedown.
Goldman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goldman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hagen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Goldman tries to avoid it but Hagen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Goldman to the ground. Goldman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Goldman misses with an uppercut

and Hagen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hagen.
Hagen looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen throws an elbow that misses. Goldman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hagen's guard. Nice move by Goldman!

Hagen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Goldman passes into half guard.
Hagen tries to roll over but Goldman keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldman uses his free foot to push down on Hagen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hagen.
Hagen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hagen gets back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hagen is looking for a sweep. Goldman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Goldman dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Goldman as Hagen shoots in.
Goldman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A big right from Goldman misses.
Hagen moves out of range as Goldman throws a body kick.
Hagen moves out of range of the strikes.
Abe Goldman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hagen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Goldman defends it nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by Goldman as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldman scores with a head kick.
Hagen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hagen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hagen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Goldman misses with a hook.
Hagen slips a jab from Goldman.
Nice cross by Goldman.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Goldman lands a glancing blow to the side of Hagen's head.
Hagen fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hagen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Goldman to the ground. Hagen is now in Goldman's guard.
Hagen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Goldman is keeping the position for now.
Goldman has control of Hagen's left arm, preventing Hagen from doing any damage.
Hagen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Goldman is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hagen tries to pass to full mount but Goldman defends it.
Hagen prevents Goldman from standing back up.

Hagen is looking for a kimura but Goldman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hagen to get the leverage.

Hagen seems to be looking for submissions.

Hagen is looking for submissions but instead, Goldman has regained full guard.
Goldman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hagen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hagen passes Goldman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hagen wants to advance to full mount but Goldman doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Hagen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Goldman is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goldman has Hagen pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Goldman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Goldman cracks Hagen with a good jab.
Goldman fails to land with a series of punches.
Goldman misses with a straight left.
Goldman swings widly with a right hand

and Hagen counters with a single leg into guard. Goldman didn't expect that.

Hagen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Goldman manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hagen has Goldman in his guard.

Hagen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Goldman defends it easily.
Hagen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hagen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Goldman is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hagen.
Hagen is looking for a sweep.
Goldman trying to control the action but Hagen is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen regains half guard.

Hagen looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Goldman pushes past his half guard into mount!
Hagen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hagen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hagen wants to get back to full guard but Goldman has passed into side control.
Hagen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Hagen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hagen is working hard here to advance position.
Goldman avoids the attempt from Hagen to control.
Hagen is looking to improve his position but Goldman isn't that keen on the idea.
Goldman content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hagen is desperately trying to improve his position but Goldman has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goldman controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hagen is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Hagen clearly takes that round.
That's time! Hagen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Goldman throws a jab but it's blocked by Hagen.
Goldman connects with a nice looking jab.
Tom Hagen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Goldman misses.
Goldman with a hook.
Goldman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hagen circles away quickly and effectively.
Goldman swings widly with a right hand

and Hagen counters with a takedown into side control.
Goldman dodges the ground and pound from Hagen.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hagen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hagen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Hagen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagen tries to advance to mount but Goldman denies him.

Hagen swings around for an armbar but Goldman sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hagen's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen wants to sweep but no luck.
Goldman trying to control the position from guard on top but Hagen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hagen wants to sweep here but Goldman controlling him for the moment.
Hagen looking to control.
Hagen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Goldman is one step ahead there.
Hagen working a defensive guard but Goldman manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen is trying to improve his position.
Hagen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hagen manages to get to full guard.
Hagen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Goldman is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hagen looking for a guillotine here but Goldman defends easily.
Goldman won't allow Hagen to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Goldman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Hagen had his way with Abe Goldman in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Goldman throws a jab when Hagen was well out of range.
Goldman lands a glancing blow to the side of Hagen's head.
Goldman with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Goldman misses with a left hand

and Hagen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hagen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Goldman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Hagen is looking for a triangle here but Goldman uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hagen tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Goldman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hagen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hagen is pressing down on Goldman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Hagen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hagen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Goldman puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Hagen wants to improve his position but Goldman is controlling well.

Hagen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hagen regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hagen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Goldman has picked Hagen up and slammed him! Hagen can't keep hold of the triangle and Goldman manages to pass to side control!
Hagen tries to bench press Goldman off him but Goldman keeps the position.
Goldman content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Hagen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldman trying to mount his opponent but Hagen defends it.
Tom Hagen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hagen wants to get back to full guard but Goldman has mounted him!
Hagen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Hagen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hagen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Hagen!
Tom Hagen retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Tom Hagen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.