PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Khalid Albabba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Shelby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Albabba comes to the cage accompanied by DJ Snake - Get Low. Khalid Albabba had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Albabba
vs
Shelby

181 cm
26
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Mohito Fightwear
Voodoo Nutrition

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Khalid Albabba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Shelby!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ben Watson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Albabba.
Albabba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some wild striking there from Shelby.

Albabba shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Albabba showed some decent athleticism there.
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.
Albabba is trying to control. Shelby wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shelby is pressing down on Albabba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shelby trying to keep a closed guard but Albabba is proving a slippery customer.
Shelby being controlled here, momentarily.
Shelby working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Albabba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Albabba sitting in guard here, content to control.
Albabba looking to pass the guard.
Shelby trying to control the position.
Shelby looking to hit a scissor sweep but Albabba is one step ahead there.
Shelby seems keen to control Albabba's posture.
Albabba wants to control from the top but Shelby keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Albabba content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Albabba sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Albabba wants to control from the top but Shelby keeps moving.
Shelby is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Albabba slips under a jab.
Shelby misses with a body shot.
Shelby misses with a straight left.

Albabba shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shelby is trying to defend but Albabba finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Albabba throws a strike but Shelby avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby keeping full guard, as Albabba tries to pass.
Albabba passes Shelby's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shelby wants to improve his position but Albabba is controlling well.
Shelby slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Albabba landing some decent shots from guard.
Shelby looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shelby wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Albabba is now in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Albabba lands a nice short elbow.
Albabba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Albabba trying to control from half guard but Shelby is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby moves into full guard.
Shelby looking to control.
Albabba trying to control but Shelby is working from the bottom.
Albabba wants to pass the guard but Shelby is keeping the position.
Shelby keeping moving, preventing Albabba from controlling successfully.
Albabba controlling from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Albabba trying to control but Shelby is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khalid Albabba dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shelby leaves Albabba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shelby takes a swing at Albabba's ribcage but misses.
Albabba changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Albabba shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Shelby manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Shelby working a defensive guard here.
Albabba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shelby swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Albabba trying to control the position from guard on top but Shelby is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shelby working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Albabba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Shelby is tightening it up a little... Albabba has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Albabba reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Albabba taps out! Nice BJJ there by Shelby!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). John Shelby!
John Shelby was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
In defeat, Khalid Albabba stepped up to the mic, saying 'This night was yours Shelby... I guess we got to do this one more time?'.