PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Primavera Arabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aqeel Haji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Arabe
vs
Haji

185 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
187 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Primavera Arabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aqeel Haji!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arabe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Haji manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Haji throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Arabe to counter with a crisp jab.
Arabe wants to clinch

and Haji counters with a single leg into guard. Arabe didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Haji slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haji throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haji stands up from Arabe's guard - Haji perhaps looking for a knockout.

Haji gets a takedown into half guard.
Haji is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Arabe is looking for a sweep. Haji is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haji perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arabe trying to control from the bottom.

Haji decides to return to a standing position.
Arabe clobbers Haji with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Left hook, right uppercut from Arabe.
Haji circles away from the clinch attempt

and Haji counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arabe is trying to escape the position but Haji is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arabe tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Arabe trying to control the hands but Haji won't let him.
Haji is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Haji keeps control of the position as Arabe tries to break free.

Haji is working for a rear naked choke. Arabe is not defending it well and Haji has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Arabe refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Arabe's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Aqeel Haji!