PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malik Shabazz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shabazz
vs
Henry

190 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
24
223 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing
SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malik Shabazz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Henry!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Russell Pearce and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henry checks a low kick from Shabazz.
Henry throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shabazz scores with a hook.
John Henry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Henry throws a leg kick
and Shabazz counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like John Henry has been cut.
The crowd cheers as Shabazz lands an impressive looking overhand right. Henry doesn't seem phased though.
Shabazz throws a body shot but no joy.
And Henry tries to counter it with a takedown but Shabazz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice defenses there by Shabazz.
Shabazz checks a leg kick.
Henry has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Henry stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shabazz lands with an uppercut that bounces Henry off the cage and back into range.
Henry misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Henry backs away, Shabazz returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Henry just misses with a punch to the body.
Shabazz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Henry on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Henry moves out of range of the body kick.
Shabazz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shabazz wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry misses with a head kick.
Shabazz moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Henry with a nice cross.
Henry tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henry shoots in for a takedown but Shabazz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shabazz is looking to counter punch.

Shabazz lands a big head kick that sends Henry tumbling to the mat! Shabazz takes a step backwards and waves Henry back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henry has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shabazz finds it's way round the side to connect with Henry's head.

Henry is rocked!
Shabazz ducks right into an uppercut from Henry.
Henry uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shabazz.
Malik Shabazz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shabazz throws a sloppy head kick and Henry moves out of range easily.
Henry is looking to chop away at Shabazz's legs.
Henry throws a body punch but Shabazz moves out of range.
Henry sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Henry closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Shabazz quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Henry.
Henry missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shabazz on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shabazz tries to get out of the position.
Henry is taking a breather. Shabazz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Shabazz has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Henry trying to advance position but Shabazz counters by regaining guard.
Henry trying to control but Shabazz is working from the bottom.
Shabazz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Henry ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
That kick from Henry tenderised Shabazz's leg. Shabazz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Shabazz ducks under a wild hook from Henry.
Shabazz leaves Henry with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Malik Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Henry.
Shabazz with a hook.

That has opened up John Henry's cut even more.
Shabazz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Shabazz scores with a leg kick.
Henry needs to keep his hands up - Shabazz had a free shot at his head there.
Henry tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shabazz was well out of range. Poor timing from Henry.

Henry fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Shabazz to the ground. Henry is now in Shabazz's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shabazz keeping moving, preventing Henry from controlling successfully.
Henry not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Shabazz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henry postures up in Shabazz's guard and throws a big left but Shabazz blocks it.
Henry is looking to pass into half guard but Shabazz pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Shabazz is in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shabazz wants to pass the guard but Henry is keeping the position.
Shabazz controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik Shabazz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Henry's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shabazz scores with a hook to the body. Henry takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shabazz misses with an uppercut.
Shabazz shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Malik Shabazz is winning the standup battle so far.
Shabazz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Henry misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shabazz counters with a straight right hand.
Shabazz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Henry sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shabazz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Henry looks to throw a body kick
and Shabazz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shabazz is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shabazz drops Henry with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Henry looks back up at him and smiles so Shabazz waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Henry lands with an overhand left.
A combination from Henry does no damage.
Good work by Shabazz as he checks the leg kick.
Shabazz cracks the inside of Henry's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz throws a push kick but Henry slaps the foot to one side.
Henry misses with a wild body shot.
Henry scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Henry misses the shot to the body.
Shabazz tests Henry's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shabazz misses with a body shot.
Henry wants to counter with a clinch but Shabazz pushes him away.
Shabazz is looking to slow Henry down with leg kicks.
Shabazz scores with a jab to the body.
Henry takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Shabazz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shabazz fakes the leg kick and cracks Henry in the body.
Henry is breathing heavily.
Henry lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shabazz misses with a body punch
and Henry counters with an outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz throws a body kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Shabazz throws a wild body kick that Henry sees coming a mile off.
Henry tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shabazz was well out of range. Poor timing from Henry.
Henry takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Henry shoots in but no luck this time.
Shabazz cracks Henry with a right hand to the side of the head.

The cut above John Henry's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Shabazz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Shabazz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Henry tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shabazz digs a good hook to Henry's body.
Shabazz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shabazz thumps Henry with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Henry's hands.
Henry is still on wobbly legs! Can Shabazz finish him?
Henry throws a lazy uppercut
and Shabazz counters with a left and a right... and another left... and another!! That last one turned off the lights! Henry has no idea who he is and is as he gazes up at the spotlights. Brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Malik Shabazz!
Our winner, Malik Shabazz, 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.