PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ali Haji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebastian Elimo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Haji
vs
Elimo

187 cm
25
187 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
189 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ali Haji!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sebastian Elimo!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Winston Alpacca and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haji closes the distance and clinches.
Haji's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Elimo breaks from the clinch.
No joy there for Elimo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haji attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Elimo throws a combination that misses

and Haji counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Elimo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Elimo misses with a double jab.
Sebastian Elimo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Elimo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Elimo misses with a combination
and Haji counters with a one-two to the body.
Elimo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Haji counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haji throws a shot to the body.
Elimo looks winded!
Haji shoots in and drives through. Elimo sprawls well.
Sebastian Elimo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haji closes the distance and clinches.
Haji wants to take the fight to the mat but Elimo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Haji tries to land knees in the clinch but Elimo avoids the damage to the body.
Haji jumps guard but Elimo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Haji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haji keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Elimo's efforts to push away.
Elimo is trying to force a seperation but Haji has the dominant position.

Haji breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Elimo throws a series of punches but Haji avoids them all with ease.
Haji throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Some wild striking there from Elimo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elimo misses with a series of wild punches.
Haji wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Elimo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Haji holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Haji is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Elimo to keep the fight standing.
Haji's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Haji drops down looking for an ankle pick but Elimo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Haji tries to clinch but Elimo moves out of range.
Elimo throws a series of punches but Haji avoids them all with ease.
Haji showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Elimo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haji misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Haji shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Elimo defends it nicely.
Elimo misses with the combination.
Elimo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Elimo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haji.
Elimo throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haji is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Elimo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Haji's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Haji misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Haji has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Haji avoids a punch combination nicely.
Elimo has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haji fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A clash of legs there as Elimo blocks the low kick.
Haji shoots in looking for a takedown. Elimo tries to sprawl out of it but Haji keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Elimo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Elimo swinging wildly here.
Elimo misses with a double jab
and Haji counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Elimo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Elimo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haji shoots in for a double leg but Elimo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Elimo walks into a jab.
Haji shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Elimo but Elimo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Haji avoids a punch combination nicely.

Haji closes the distance and clinches.
Haji tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Haji. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Haji breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elimo throws a combination that misses

and Haji moves into the clinch.

Elimo breaks from the clinch.
Haji jabs Elimo right on the nose. Elimo blinks but takes it well.
No joy there for Elimo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A right-left combo lands from Haji.

It looks like Sebastian Elimo has been cut.
Elimo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haji shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Elimo sprawls well. Elimo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haji gets slowly back to his feet.

Haji has Elimo up against the cage in a clinch.
Haji pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haji manages to break the clinch.

Haji rushes Elimo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Haji softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Elimo breaks the clinch.
Haji misses with a head kick.
Elimo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Haji moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Haji will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Elimo blocks a head kick by Haji.
Elimo throws a right hand that Haji ducks under and follows up with a left that Haji also avoids with ease.
Elimo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Haji counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sloppy strikes from Elimo. Those never looked like landing.
Elimo is breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Elimo. No joy for Haji on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Haji.
Elimo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Haji tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Elimo defends well and Haji ends up having to push Elimo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Elimo is looking for the big counter here.
Elimo misses with a two punch combination.
Haji is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Elimo.
Elimo tries to bum rush Haji with a series of wild strikes but Haji uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Elimo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haji tries to clinch but Elimo moves out of range.
Elimo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Haji scores with a shot to the body.
Haji connects with a right hand. Elimo shakes it off.
Elimo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haji.
Haji throws a body kick that misses.
Haji attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Elimo unleashes a big counter combination but Haji bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Haji changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elimo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Haji counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Haji has taken the fight to the clinch.
Elimo letting Haji take a breather here.
Elimo wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Haji just misses with a elbow thrown towards Elimo's brow.
Haji lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Elimo or not.
Ali Haji has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Haji escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Haji throws a head kick that misses.
Sebastian Elimo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Elimo throws a nice looking combination but Haji bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Haji dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sebastian Elimo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Elimo misses with a two punch combination.
Elimo throws a right and a left that Haji avoids nicely.
Elimo slaps away a takedown attempt from Haji, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Elimo is looking for the big counter here.

Haji darts in and clinches Elimo up against the cage.
Haji is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Elimo is defending well for now.

Haji pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Haji clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Haji breaks from the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Elimo. Those never looked like landing.
Elimo misses with the combination.
Elimo throws a right and a left that Haji avoids nicely.
Haji swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Elimo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elimo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Haji tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Elimo manages to circle out of the way.
Haji shoots in looking for a takedown but Elimo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Haji's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Elimo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Elimo misses with the combination.
Haji is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Elimo.
Haji fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ali Haji. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haji looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Haji shoots in looking for a takedown but Elimo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Haji's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Elimo throws a counter combo.
Elimo tries to bum rush Haji with a series of wild strikes but Haji uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haji tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Elimo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Elimo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali Haji is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haji is looking to clinch but Elimo is avoiding it.
A combination from Elimo does no damage.
Haji lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elimo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haji.
Haji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haji shoots for a double leg takedown but Elimo sprawls well. He's pushed Haji's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Elimo lands a two punch combo.
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!
Horrible takedown attempt by Haji or perhaps it was just good defense by Elimo, which made it look bad.
Elimo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Haji counters with a nice uppercut.
Haji shoots in for a takedown but Elimo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A left and a right from Elimo both land. Nice combination.
Nice takedown defense from Elimo. No joy for Haji on that attempt.
As Haji backs off Elimo throws a huge counter combo but Haji manages to avoid it all.
Haji is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Elimo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haji is trying hard to land a takedown here. Elimo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Elimo throws a series of punches but Haji avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haji rushes Elimo and presses him up against the cage.
Haji fails to pull guard.
Haji tries to pull guard but Elimo won't allow it.

Haji escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Elimo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Haji circles away quickly and effectively.
Haji slips a jab and a cross from Elimo.
Haji drops down looking for a counter takedown but Elimo sprawls and moves away.
Haji shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Elimo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Elimo misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Elimo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haji drops down looking for a counter takedown but Elimo sprawls and moves away.
Elimo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Haji counters by clinching up.
Haji jumps guard but Elimo stands there with Haji around his waist. Haji gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haji is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Elimo is keeping busy.

Haji breaks the clinch.
Haji wants to clinch.
Haji tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elimo swivels and escapes.
Elimo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Haji takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sebastian Elimo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Elimo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sebastian Elimo!