PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rahkim Abdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarik Belson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Abdullah
vs
Belson

190 cm
24
168 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
182 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Powerful

SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rahkim Abdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jarik Belson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Abdullah looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Belson takes a swing at Abdullah's ribcage but misses.
Belson thuds a left hand into Abdullah's body.
Belson defending well as Abdullah loads up on a big left hand.
Belson thuds his right hand into Abdullah's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Belson swings for the body but Abdullah moves out of range.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belson sprawls well. Belson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Abdullah gets slowly back to his feet.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Belson as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Belson as Abdullah shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdullah changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Belson tries to avoid it but Abdullah manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Belson to the ground. Belson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Belson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abdullah swings for the body but Belson moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdullah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belson.
Belson throws a looping overhand right but Abdullah ducks down to avoid it.
Belson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Abdullah was well out of range. Poor timing from Belson.
Belson drops his hands momentarily and Abdullah takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Abdullah looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdullah thuds his right hand into Belson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Belson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Abdullah rather than just go for the knockout.
Belson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Abdullah stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Abdullah dives in for a single leg takedown but Belson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Belson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Abdullah smiles and moves away.
Abdullah throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belson's waist but Belson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Abdullah off to one side.
Abdullah fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Belson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Abdullah slips under a jab from Belson.
Abdullah connects with a right hand. Belson shakes it off.
Abdullah shoots in for a double leg but Belson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Some wild striking there from Belson.
Rahkim Abdullah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belson misses with an uppercut.
Abdullah fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
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!
Belson throws a body punch but Abdullah moves out of range.
Belson looks to score with a jab to the body but Abdullah is just out of range.
Belson scores with a body shot.
Abdullah throws a hook but Belson avoids it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Belson.
Abdullah throws a right hand that Belson ducks under and follows up with a left that Belson also avoids with ease.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Belson throws a hook but Abdullah blocks it.
Abdullah moves out of range of the strikes.
Abdullah takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Belson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abdullah manages to avoid it.
Belson lands with a nice body punch.
Abdullah looks to land a combination. Belson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Abdullah fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belson avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belson cracks Abdullah with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Abdullah tries for a takedown but Belson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Abdullah.
Belson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Abdullah is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good shot there by Belson.
Abdullah uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Belson.

Abdullah closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Abdullah is thwarting Belson's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Belson actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abdullah performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Belson is looking for a sweep. Abdullah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Abdullah not doing much here.
Belson trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarik Belson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Belson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jarik Belson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Abdullah cracks Belson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Abdullah has a takedown stuffed.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Abdullah just misses with a punch to the body.
Abdullah swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Abdullah shoots in looking for a takedown but Belson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Abdullah's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Abdullah with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Abdullah is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Belson's half guard.
Belson is trying to get back to full guard.
Abdullah is thwarting Belson's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belson looking for submissions off his back.
Belson tries to roll over but Abdullah keeps him under control.
Belson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Abdullah really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Belson is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Belson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Abdullah is keen to just control but Belson is a slippery customer.
Abdullah is controlling the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Abdullah changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Belson tries to avoid it but Abdullah manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Belson to the ground. Belson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Abdullah thuds a left hand into Belson's body.
Belson throws a looping overhand right but Abdullah ducks down to avoid it.
Abdullah throws a lazy right hand but Belson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Belson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Belson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from Belson misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Abdullah.
Sloppy strikes from Abdullah. Those never looked like landing.
Belson looks to throw the jab but Abdullah is out of range.
Belson misses with a wild body shot.
Belson sizes up Abdullah with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice defenses there by Abdullah.
Abdullah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belson swivels and escapes.
Belson throws a series of punches but Abdullah avoids them all with ease.
Belson just misses with a punch to the body.
Belson throws a hook to the side of Abdullah's head but Abdullah sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Abdullah misses with the combination.
Belson throws a body shot but no joy.
Belson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Belson throws a lazy right hand but Abdullah sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Belson throws out a loose jab but Abdullah uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah tries for a takedown but Belson circles away easily

and Belson counters with a shoot takedown. Abdullah fights it but they end up in guard.
My spies in The Sweat Lodge inform me that Belson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Abdullah manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Belson wants to sweep but no luck.
Belson trying to keep a closed guard but Abdullah is proving a slippery customer.
Abdullah wants to control from the top but Belson keeps moving.
Belson trying to control the position.
Abdullah trying to control but Belson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarik Belson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Abdullah's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Abdullah gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Belson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Belson.
Belson looking to pass the guard.
Belson keeps trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Belson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abdullah keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Belson looking for a sweep. Not yet Belson, not yet.
Belson keeping moving, preventing Abdullah from controlling successfully.
Abdullah trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Abdullah lands a couple of digs.

Belson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Abdullah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Abdullah pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belson is keeping the position for now.
Rahkim Abdullah overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abdullah's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Abdullah trying to control but Belson is working from the bottom.
Abdullah stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Belson controls Abdullah momentarily but Abdullah frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belson stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Belson finds it's target.
Abdullah has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdullah with a lazy takedown attempt

and Belson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Belson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Abdullah dives on top into guard.

Abdullah is looking to work some ground and pound but Belson has wrist control.
Belson looking to control but Abdullah passes into half guard.
Abdullah performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Belson trying to control but Abdullah postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belson is looking for a sweep. Abdullah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rahkim Abdullah has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdullah content to control rather than advance.
Abdullah wants to control but Belson is keeping him busy.
Abdullah is looking to pass Belson's guard but actually Belson recovers to full guard.
Abdullah trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jarik Belson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jarik Belson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Belson 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

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