PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taite Abrams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Irvin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taite Abrams could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Irvin's chin.

Abrams
vs
Irvin

190 cm
28
215 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

188 cm
30
212 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Taite Abrams!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Irvin!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irvin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Irvin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Irvin tries to close the distance and clinch but Abrams swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Abrams gets a clinch.
Irvin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
Abrams misses with an elbow strike.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irvin crunches a lovely knee into Abrams's ribcage.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abrams stalling in the clinch but Irvin improves position.
Irvin dodges an elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Abrams's face.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Irvin dodges an elbow strike from Abrams.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Irvin taking a breather.
Irvin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Abrams blocks it with crossed arms.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Irvin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Irvin working Abrams over with knees to the body.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Irvin obliges.
Abrams is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abrams misses with an elbow strike.
Irvin scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Taite Abrams has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Irvin using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Abrams.
Abrams doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Abrams lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin misses with a knee strike.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Irvin slows down the pace here.
Abrams gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Abrams blocks it with crossed arms.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Irvin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Irvin takes an elbow to the temple.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Irvin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Abrams looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Abrams lands a damaging elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Irvin with a knee to the head.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin taking a breather.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
Abrams managing to block the knees to the body from Irvin.
Nice elbow from Abrams.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Irvin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Irvin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Taite Abrams's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Irvin darts in and clinches Abrams up against the ropes.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Irvin lands a knee to the body.
Abrams managing to block the knees to the body from Irvin.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Abrams lands a damaging elbow.
Abrams misses with an elbow strike.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
James Irvin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin crunches a lovely knee into Abrams's ribcage.
Irvin misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Abrams lands a damaging elbow.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irvin trying to stall but Abrams improves his position.
Irvin takes an elbow to the temple.
Irvin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Abrams tries a body shot but Irvin blocks it.
Irvin crunches a lovely knee into Abrams's ribcage.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin misses with a knee to the head.
Irvin looking to throw knees to the head but Abrams is blocking nicely.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Knees to the body from Irvin.
Abrams digs a right hand underneath Irvin's ribcage. Irvin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Abrams takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin lands a knee to the body.
Irvin stalls.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
Irvin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Irvin looking to slow down the pace here.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Irvin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Irvin with a knee to the head.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Abrams as Irvin tries to tie him up.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irvin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Abrams's face.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Abrams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Irvin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Taite Abrams's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Irvin avoids the head kick by Abrams.

Abrams gets tackled into the ropes by Irvin. Irvin maintains the clinch.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams lands an elbow inside.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abrams misses with an elbow strike.
Irvin is pushing Abrams up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Abrams is keeping busy.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Irvin connects with a knee to the head.
Abrams lands an elbow inside that Irvin shrugs off.
Abrams scores with a hook to the body.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
Irvin taking a breather.
Abrams lands an elbow inside.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin takes an elbow to the temple.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Abrams gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Abrams looking to stall.
Irvin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams throws an elbow that misses.
Abrams managing to block the knees to the body from Irvin.
Irvin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Abrams is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irvin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Irvin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Irvin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Abrams lands an elbow inside.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Abrams lands an elbow just above Irvin 's eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin looking to stall.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Abrams lands an elbow inside that Irvin shrugs off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Abrams in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Irvin crunches a lovely knee into Abrams's ribcage.
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin misses with a knee strike.
Irvin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Abrams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Irvin lands a nice knee to the body.
Irvin with a knee to the head.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irvin working Abrams over with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abrams lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Irvin working Abrams over with knees to the body.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Irvin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Abrams lands an elbow inside that Irvin shrugs off.
A body shot lands from Abrams.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but James Irvin just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Taite Abrams's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Irvin drives through and clinches with Abrams against the ropes.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Abrams avoiding damage as Irvin throws knees to the body.
Irvin wants to stall.
Abrams lands an elbow just above Irvin 's eye.

It looks like James Irvin has been cut.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Irvin dodges an elbow strike from Abrams.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abrams managing to block the knees to the body from Irvin.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Irvin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Abrams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Irvin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Irvin avoids a wild elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Irvin connects with a knee to the head.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The referee calls for Abrams to work.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Abrams gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Abrams gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Irvin is trying to stall.
Irvin takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Irvin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Irvin connects with a knee to the head.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Irvin trying to land knees to the body.
Abrams lands a damaging elbow.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Abrams can't find room to land a body shot as Irvin controls the action.
Abrams doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Irvin.
Abrams creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Irvin's defenses.
Irvin missing with knees to the body.
Irvin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Abrams creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Irvin's defenses.
Irvin takes an elbow to the temple.
Abrams managing to block the knees to the body from Irvin.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Irvin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Abrams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
Irvin trying to stall but Abrams improves his position.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Irvin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Abrams is defending well for now.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Irvin is looking to control Abrams's arms but Abrams gets an underhook and turns him. Now Irvin has his back to the ropes.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but Abrams blocks it.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike from Abrams.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Taite Abrams will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Irvin rushes Abrams and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Abrams takes a knee to the side of the body.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Abrams gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Abrams creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Abrams as Irvin tries to tie him up.
Abrams lands an elbow just above Irvin 's eye.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
Irvin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Abrams.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abrams stalling against the ropes.
Abrams pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Irvin tries to land knees in the clinch but Abrams avoids the damage to the body.
Irvin is looking to control Abrams's arms but Abrams gets an underhook and turns him. Now Irvin has his back to the ropes.
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Abrams avoids it.
Irvin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Irvin tries to land a knee to the head but Abrams blocks with his arms.
Abrams cracks Irvin with a nice body shot.
Irvin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Irvin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Abrams.
Abrams throws an elbow but it misses.
Irvin dodges an elbow strike from Abrams.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irvin avoids the elbow strike from Abrams, against the ropes.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Abrams as Irvin tries to tie him up.
Irvin taking a breather.
Irvin is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Abrams has denied him.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abrams lands an elbow that stopped Irvin in his tracks for a moment.
Abrams misses with an elbow strike.
Irvin takes an elbow to the forehead.
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!
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Abrams tries to stall but Irvin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
James Irvin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Abrams is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abrams misses with an elbow over the top.
Abrams lands an elbow inside.
Abrams pushes off an throws an elbow but Irvin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Abrams throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Irvin scores a nice knee to the body.
Irvin misses with a knee to the head.
Taite Abrams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Irvin misses with a knee to the head.
Abrams blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin is pushing Abrams up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Irvin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Abrams has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abrams lands an elbow inside.
Irvin misses with a knee to the head.
Abrams looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Abrams on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Abrams lands a nice elbow.
Irvin dodges an elbow strike from Abrams.
Abrams lands a damaging elbow.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Abrams throws an elbow but misses.
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!
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Abrams just misses with a elbow thrown towards Irvin's brow.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Abrams throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Irvin lands a good knee to the midsection. Abrams won't want to take too many of those.
Irvin blocks an elbow strike.
Irvin blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taite Abrams showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Irvin 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 49:47
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James Irvin!
James Irvin is the new light heavyweight champion!
James Irvin thanked the fans post fight for their support.