PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Max Cardamom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uri Haber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Cardamom
vs
Haber

180 cm
28
179 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

182 cm
21
176 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Cardamom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Uri Haber!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Haber.
Cardamom walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Haber tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cardamom was well out of range. Poor timing from Haber.
A big left from Cardamom misses.
Cardamom looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cardamom takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cardamom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haber was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardamom.
Cardamom looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A slow jab from Haber misses its intended target.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Haber has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Haber scores with a jab to the jaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Haber lands a body punch.
Haber can't find room to land a body shot as Cardamom controls the action.
Haber tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Haber stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Haber stalling the fight.
Haber is pushing Cardamom up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haber tries to work over Cardamom's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Haber digs a right hand into Cardamom's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardamom's gas tank.
Haber tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haber stalling in the clinch.
Haber is working Cardamom over against the cage.
Haber throws a punch but it's blocked by Cardamom.
Cardamom wants to stall.
Haber stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Haber blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Haber scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Haber.
A right handed body shot lands from Haber.
Cardamom misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardamom fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Cardamom.
Cardamom lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Haber lands with a light punch inside.
Haber slows down the pace here.
Haber scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Cardamom is looking for a takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Cardamom's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Haber gets through Cardamom's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haber makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Haber.
Haber pushes Cardamom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Haber lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cardamom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haber lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Haber digs a right hand into Cardamom's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardamom's gas tank.
Haber lands with a right to the head.
Haber gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cardamom.
Haber scores with a hook to the body.
Haber tries to throw a body punch but Cardamom avoids it by throwing Haber back against the cage.
Cardamom is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Haber blocks an uppercut.
Haber digs a right hand into Cardamom's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardamom's gas tank.
Haber lands a left hand.
The referee calls for Haber to work.
Cardamom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Haber lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haber is pressed up against the cage. Cardamom has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haber down to the mat. Haber avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Cardamom. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Cardamom decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
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!

Cardamom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Haber sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Haber manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Haber wants to sweep here but Cardamom controlling him for the moment.

Haber working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cardamom doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cardamom manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Haber is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Cardamom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Haber has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cardamom has managed to get both his arms back between Haber's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uri Haber dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cardamom scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jab, jab by Cardamom - just one landing.

Cardamom closes the distance and pushes Haber back into the cage.
Cardamom makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Cardamom breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haber scores with a hook.
Haber clobbers Cardamom with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Haber fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cardamom.
Haber lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardamom at a distance.
Cardamom lands with an uppercut that bounces Haber off the cage and back into range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardamom looks to throw the jab but Haber is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Cardamom misses the target.

Haber clinches up with Cardamom and pushes him back against the cage.
Haber misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cardamom tries for a takedown but Haber manages to get underhooks.
Haber lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardamom is trying to maintain a safe position but Haber gets an underhook and turns Cardamom into the cage.
Cardamom has a couple of punches blocked by Haber.
Uri Haber seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A right handed body shot lands from Haber.
Cardamom is trying to push Haber away but Haber has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Haber misses with a punch to the body.
Haber is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cardamom is trying to break free.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Haber has Cardamom pressed against the cage.
Cardamom being controlled against the cage.
Haber lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Cardamom fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardamom working aggressively here.
Haber scores with a shot to the side of Cardamom's head.
Haber tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haber lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Haber lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cardamom.
A nice left hand lands by Haber.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cardamom misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cardamom tries to stall but Haber uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Haber lands with a light punch inside.
Cardamom tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Haber just stands there and leans against the cage.
Haber lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardamom has a couple of punches blocked by Haber.
A right hook to the body lands for Haber.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haber pushes Cardamom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Haber scores with a nice hook to the head.
Haber tries a body shot but Cardamom blocks it.
Haber has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Haber misses with a hook to the ribs.
Haber misses with a punch to the body.
Haber struggles to land a body shot inside as Cardamom controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Haber.
Haber can't find room to land a body shot as Cardamom controls the action.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cardamom.
Cardamom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cardamom can't break the clinch.
Haber lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cardamom backwards.
Haber taking a breather.
Cardamom stalling in the clinch but Haber improves position.
Cardamom misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cardamom is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Haber pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Cardamom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haber struggles to land a body shot inside as Cardamom controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haber misses with a punch to the body.
Haber blocks an uppercut.
Cardamom tries to break the clinch but Haber is controlling the position.
Haber misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Haber'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.
Cardamom tries to throw a body punch but Haber avoids it by throwing Cardamom back against the cage.
Haber goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Haber misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cardamom can't find room to land a body shot as Haber controls the action.
Haber prevents a body shot from Cardamom.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Cardamom prevents a body shot from Haber.
Haber goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cardamom is trying to drag Haber to the mat but Haber just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uri Haber showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Haber catches Cardamom with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cardamom just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Haber. That snapped Cardamom's head back.
Cardamom takes a swing at Haber's ribcage but misses.
Haber lands with a good body shot.
Cardamom has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cardamom there as he acknowledges the shot.
Haber dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Haber throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cardamom swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A jab from Cardamom misses.
Haber ducks under a wild hook from Cardamom.
Haber throws out a counter right but Cardamom avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haber moves out of range as Cardamom strikes.
Haber is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A slow jab from Cardamom misses its intended target.
Haber shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cardamom avoids the body shot from Haber.
Cardamom scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Cardamom does no damage.
Haber's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cardamom under the eye.
Cardamom swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Haber swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cardamom seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Some wild striking there from Cardamom.
A swing and a miss from Cardamom.
Cardamom looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Cardamom takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jab from Haber.

Haber bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haber trying to control the position but Cardamom is working away.
Haber working away.
Haber wants to control but Cardamom is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haber cracks Cardamom with a big right hand but Cardamom just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Haber is trying to get an arm triangle but Cardamom is defending well.
Haber lands a nice forearm strike.
Cardamom tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Haber wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Haber advances to full mount.
Haber trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Haber lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Cardamom hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haber with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Haber lands a big shot there that rocks Cardamom but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Cardamom is desperately trying to improve his position but Haber has a good base and remains in mount.
Haber looking to finish Cardamom with some ground and pound. This is bad for Cardamom!
Haber avoids the attempt from Cardamom to control.

Haber has hold of Cardamom's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cardamom manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Haber putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haber is landing with some decent strikes but Cardamom is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Haber lands with some strikes.

Haber looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
A nice elbow there by Haber.
Cardamom is in all sorts of trouble here.
Max Cardamom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haber has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cardamom's face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haber postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cardamom looks a forlorn figure.
Cardamom tries to hold on but Haber postures up.
Uri Haber is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Haber landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Uri Haber comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Haber has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Uri Haber!
The defeated Max Cardamom had this to say: 'Suppose it be time for a pint then.'.