PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alvaro Schultz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yasser Slimani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alvaro Schultz has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Schultz
vs
Slimani

200 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Alvaro Schultz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Yasser Slimani!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slimani goes for a double leg but Schultz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Schultz continues to drive forward.
Schultz slaps away a takedown attempt from Slimani, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Slimani lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Slimani dives in for a single leg takedown but Schultz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Alvaro Schultz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yasser Slimani.
A punch combination from Slimani misses.
Slimani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Schultz but Schultz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schultz slaps away a takedown attempt from Slimani, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Schultz misses with a low kick as Slimani jumps back.

Slimani gets caught napping as Schultz dives in and scores a takedown. Slimani manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schultz stands and throws Slimani's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Slimani is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Slimani actively working from the bottom here.
Schultz really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Schultz controlling the action here.
Schultz has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schultz seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Slimani for as long as he can get away with.
Slimani tries to get to full guard but Schultz has control of the leg.
Schultz sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Slimani counters with a nice body kick.
Slimani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Schultz defending well as Slimani loads up on a big left hand.
Slimani closes this distance looking for a takedown but Schultz circles away.
Slimani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Slimani clinches up against the cage.

Slimani manages to break the clinch.
Schultz blocks the body kick.
Slimani looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slimani closes this distance looking for a takedown but Schultz circles away.
Slimani dives in for a single leg takedown but Schultz sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Slimani misses with a head kick.

Schultz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Slimani manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Schultz sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Schultz landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schultz sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alvaro Schultz dominated that round.
That's time! Schultz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Slimani takes the fight into the clinch.

Slimani breaks the clinch.
Slimani tries for a takedown but Schultz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Slimani's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Slimani duly obliges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slimani has closed the distance and engaged Schultz in a clinch.
Schultz is trying to break the clinch but Slimani is controlling him.
Schultz jumps guard but Slimani turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Slimani pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schultz moves out of range as Slimani strikes.
Slimani throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Slimani tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Schultz swivels and escapes.
Slimani is breathing heavily.

Slimani looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Schultz wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schultz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Slimani's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Slimani's back!
Slimani trying to control the position but Schultz manages to sink in the hooks.
Schultz biding his time, controlling Slimani.

Schultz is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Schultz looking for the RNC.
Slimani just trying to survive but Schultz is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schultz just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Slimani is trying to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Schultz is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Slimani up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schultz is riding his opponent, not letting Slimani buck him off.

Slimani is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Schultz lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Schultz is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Slimani is defending well though. Schultz let's go of the attempt for now.

Schultz working for a choke but Slimani reverses nicely into Schultz 's guard.
Alvaro Schultz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Schultz looking for a sweep. Not yet Schultz, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schultz keeping full guard, as Slimani tries to pass.
Schultz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Slimani is one step ahead there.
Slimani must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schultz manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Slimani manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yasser Slimani will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Schultz shoots in for a takedown but Slimani shows good takedown defense.
Slimani appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Schultz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Slimani.
Schultz wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Schultz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Schultz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Slimani, pushing him back against the cage.
Schultz is trying to break free.

Slimani successfully pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Slimani escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schultz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schultz trying to control the position from guard on top but Slimani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schultz stays in close to Slimani's body and controls the position.
Slimani trying to keep a closed guard but Schultz is proving a slippery customer.
Schultz trying to control the position from guard on top but Slimani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schultz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Slimani has a closed guard, preventing Schultz from standing up.
Slimani controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Slimani throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Slimani closes the distance and clinches.
A body shot lands from Schultz.
Slimani drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Slimani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Slimani breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Schultz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Schultz lands in his opponent's guard.
Schultz is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Schultz.

Slimani is looking for a triangle but Schultz pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Schultz controlling from the top position.
Slimani wants to stand but Schultz is controlling the position.
Schultz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Slimani forces Schultz back against the cage and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Slimani tries to circle away but Schultz has him pinned against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alvaro Schultz.
I think Schultz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alvaro Schultz!