PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mustafa Shabazz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mustafa Shabazz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shabazz
vs
Smith

176 cm
27
163 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

164 cm
27
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mustafa Shabazz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jason Smith!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Shabazz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Shabazz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shabazz is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Smith.
Shabazz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shabazz's waist but Shabazz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Mustafa Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Smith.
Smith misses the jab.
Smith with a poor takedown
and Shabazz counters with a left and a right that stings Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Shabazz tries to counter by clinching up but Smith breaks away and moves out of range.
Smith checks a low kick from Shabazz.
Smith looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Shabazz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Shabazz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Shabazz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shabazz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've been hearing reports that Shabazz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Shabazz, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Shabazz against the cage but Shabazz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shabazz.

Shabazz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Shabazz swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents a body shot from Shabazz.
A body shot lands from Shabazz.
A left hand lands to the body for Shabazz.
Shabazz lands with a right to the head.
Shabazz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smith is defending well for now.
Shabazz tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith tries to pull guard but Shabazz holds him up against the cage and eventually Smith drops back down to his feet.

Shabazz successfully pulls guard.

Shabazz has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is still trying to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shabazz working a defensive guard here.

Shabazz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shabazz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Shabazz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Shabazz looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Smith has picked Shabazz up and slammed him! Shabazz can't keep hold of the triangle and Smith manages to pass to side control!
Shabazz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Shabazz is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shabazz works his way to full guard. Good work.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Shabazz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shabazz trying to control the position.

Shabazz throws his legs up looking for a submission but Smith uses it to pass to side control.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Shabazz is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shabazz swivels and escapes.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Shabazz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shabazz swivels and escapes.
Mustafa Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Smith.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Shabazz seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shabazz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Smith was covering up waiting for the punch and Shabazz finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Shabazz defends easily.
Shabazz passes into half guard.

Shabazz wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shabazz.
Smith is staying active underneath Shabazz, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shabazz is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Smith is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Shabazz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Smith!
Shabazz looking to control but Smith is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Smith prevents Shabazz from taking his back.
Smith is desperately trying to improve his position but Shabazz has a good base and remains in mount.

Shabazz is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Smith can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Shabazz trying to control but Smith is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Shabazz has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.

Shabazz looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shabazz working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Smith has passed into half guard!
Smith works his way into side control.
Shabazz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Smith working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shabazz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Shabazz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Shabazz is defending well.
Shabazz manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Shabazz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Shabazz is keeping the position.

Shabazz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Shabazz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith pushes down on Shabazz's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mustafa Shabazz dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shabazz has time to react.
Shabazz goes for a double leg but Smith avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Smith continues to drive forward.
Shabazz wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Shabazz as Smith shoots in.
Shabazz changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shabazz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shabazz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Shabazz is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Smith.
Shabazz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Mustafa Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Shabazz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Shabazz takes the fight into the clinch.
Shabazz missing with knees to the body.
Shabazz lands a good knee to the midsection. Smith won't want to take too many of those.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smith avoids it.

Shabazz wants the takedown. Smith is fighting it off but Shabazz persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Smith's guard against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Shabazz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mustafa Shabazz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shabazz wants to free his trapped foot but Smith is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shabazz is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shabazz passes to side control.
Smith tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shabazz wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shabazz trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith tries to buck Shabazz off but Shabazz is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz advances to full mount.
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Jason Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shabazz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Shabazz looking to secure an arm triangle but Smith defends it well.
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Shabazz has hold of Smith's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Smith manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Shabazz trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.

Smith defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Shabazz.
Shabazz trying to control but Smith is having none of it.
Shabazz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith is desperately trying to improve his position but Shabazz has a good base and remains in mount.
Smith is squirming around, avoiding Shabazz's attempts to control the action.
Smith is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shabazz trying to control but Smith is having none of it.
Mustafa Shabazz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shabazz wants to take Smith's back but he can't do it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mustafa Shabazz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shabazz has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mustafa Shabazz!
In his post fight interview, Mustafa Shabazz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.