PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Simon Adabisi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Craftt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Adabisi
vs
Craftt

157 cm
32
140 lbs
25 - 7 - 0

165 cm
28
145 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Simon Adabisi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Martin Craftt!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Craftt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Adabisi swivels and escapes.
Craftt's coach down at MB Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Craftt's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Craftt fails with a takedown attempt.
Adabisi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Craftt stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Adabisi punishes Craftt's body with a nice straight punch.
Craftt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craftt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Adabisi is fending him off so far but Craftt persists. Nope, Adabisi circles away and we're back to standing.
Adabisi throwing a counter right hand but Craftt manages to avoid it.
Simon Adabisi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Craftt.
Craftt slips a straight right by Adabisi.
Martin Craftt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Craftt clinches with his opponent.
Adabisi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
I was talking to Adabisi's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Craftt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Craftt breaks from the clinch.
Craftt tries to clinch there but Adabisi circles away.
Simon Adabisi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Craftt closes the distance looking to clinch
and Adabisi counters with a stiff right hand.
Adabisi throws a body punch but Craftt moves out of range.

Adabisi tries to keep at a distance but Craftt has taken the fight into the clinch.
Craftt blocks a body shot from Adabisi.
Adabisi lands with a left to the head.

Adabisi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Craftt staying out of range there.
Craftt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Adabisi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Adabisi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Craftt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Adabisi lands with a light punch inside.
Adabisi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Adabisi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Adabisi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Craftt with that takedown attempt.
Adabisi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Craftt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adabisi is looking to break free of the clinch but Craftt has double underhooks.

Craftt breaks the clinch.
Adabisi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Craftt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Adabisi misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi gets through Craftt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Craftt blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Craftt lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Adabisi breaks the clinch.
Craftt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adabisi.
Adabisi throws a body shot but no joy.
Adabisi is looking to wear down Craftt with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Craftt moves into the clinch successfully.
Adabisi is trying to push Craftt away but Craftt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Craftt pressing his opponent against the cage.
Craftt struggles to land a body shot inside as Adabisi controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craftt lands a hook to the side of the head.
Craftt has Adabisi pressed against the cage.
Adabisi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Adabisi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Adabisi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Adabisi has a couple of punches blocked by Craftt.
Craftt blocks a body shot from Adabisi.
Adabisi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Craftt.
Craftt misses with the head strike.
Adabisi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Adabisi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Craftt tries to clinch
and Craftt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Martin Craftt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circling - Adabisi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Craftt wants to clinch.
Craftt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Adabisi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Craftt looks to clinch
and Adabisi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Craftt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Craftt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Adabisi gets tackled into the cage by Craftt. Craftt maintains the clinch.
Adabisi working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Craftt breaks the clinch.
Craftt doesn't manage to clinch there - Adabisi circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adabisi throws a jab when Craftt was well out of range.
Craftt tries to clinch up.
Craftt is looking to clinch.
Good shot there by Adabisi.
Craftt goes for a double leg but Adabisi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Adabisi continues to drive forward.
It looked like Adabisi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Adabisi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Craftt tries to clinch but Adabisi moves away
and Adabisi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Craftt avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Craftt defending well as Adabisi loads up on a big left hand.
Craftt tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Adabisi defends well and Craftt ends up having to push Adabisi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Adabisi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Simon Adabisi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Craftt.
Adabisi throws a right and a left that Craftt avoids nicely.
Adabisi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Craftt moves in looking to clinch but Adabisi pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craftt is looking to clinch.
Adabisi keeps the fight on the outside.
Adabisi is looking to counter punch.
Craftt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Craftt closes this distance looking for a takedown but Adabisi circles away.
Adabisi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Craftt is looking to clinch.
Adabisi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Craftt wants to clinch.
Adabisi is looking to counter punch.
Craftt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Adabisi pinned against the cage. Adabisi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
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!
Craftt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Adabisi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Adabisi tries to keep at a distance but Craftt has taken the fight into the clinch.
Craftt blocking some punches.
Adabisi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Martin Craftt seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Adabisi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Adabisi gets through Craftt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Adabisi swings wildly with an uppercut but Craftt uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Craftt throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Adabisi.
Adabisi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Adabisi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Adabisi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Adabisi avoiding damage as Craftt throws knees to the body.
Adabisi working aggressively here.
Adabisi tries to break the clinch but Craftt is controlling the position.
Adabisi misses with the head strike.
Adabisi has a couple of punches blocked by Craftt.

Craftt breaks the clinch.
Craftt wants to clinch up but Adabisi keeps it at a distance.
It looked like Adabisi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Craftt doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Adabisi to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Adabisi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Craftt wants to clinch.
Adabisi leaves Craftt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Adabisi instigates a clinch.
Adabisi throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adabisi lands a body punch in the clinch.
Adabisi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Craftt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Adabisi.
Adabisi scores with a shot to the side of Craftt's head.
A body shot lands from Adabisi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adabisi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Adabisi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Craftt keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Adabisi's efforts to push away.
Adabisi lands with a left to the head.
Adabisi misses with a punch on the inside.
Adabisi tries to break the clinch but Craftt is controlling the position.
Craftt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Adabisi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Craftt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Adabisi manages to break the clinch.
Adabisi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi throws out a loose jab but Craftt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Craftt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Adabisi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Craftt instigates a clinch.

Adabisi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Craftt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Adabisi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Craftt moves to clinch but Adabisi breaks away
and Craftt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Craftt fails with an attempt to clinch.
Craftt tries to clinch but Adabisi is having none of it.
Adabisi swings for the body but Craftt moves out of range.
Adabisi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Simon Adabisi is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Craftt is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fight stays on the outside here - Craftt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Craftt wants to clinch up but Adabisi keeps it at a distance.
Craftt tries to clinch up
and Adabisi counters with a straight right hand.
Craftt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Simon Adabisi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Craftt.
Craftt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Adabisi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Craftt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Craftt fails with an attempt to clinch.
A quick step to the side and Adabisi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Adabisi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Craftt can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Craftt. Craftt circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Craftt has taken the fight to the clinch.
Craftt stalling in the clinch but Adabisi improves position.
Adabisi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Adabisi tries a body shot but Craftt blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Adabisi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Adabisi misses with a short punch on the inside.

Craftt breaks from the clinch.
Adabisi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Craftt was well out of range. Poor timing from Adabisi.

Craftt tries to keep at a distance but Adabisi has taken the fight into the clinch.
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!
Knees to the body from Craftt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Adabisi clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Craftt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Adabisi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Craftt tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Adabisi avoids it.
Adabisi lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Craftt breaks the clinch.
Craftt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Craftt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Craftt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craftt tries to clinch up
and Adabisi counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adabisi just misses with a punch to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice left hand lands by Adabisi.

Craftt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Adabisi leaves Craftt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Craftt uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adabisi.
Craftt looks for a takedown but Adabisi sprawls well.
Adabisi lands a glancing blow to the side of Craftt's head.
Craftt tries to clinch up
and Adabisi counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi keeps the fight on the outside.
Adabisi swats away the attempt to clinch by Craftt.
Adabisi lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Adabisi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Craftt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Adabisi clinches up with Craftt and pushes him back against the cage.
Adabisi swings wildly with an uppercut but Craftt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Adabisi swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adabisi working hard to break the clinch.
Adabisi avoiding damage as Craftt throws knees to the body.
Adabisi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Adabisi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Craftt has him pressed against the cage.
Adabisi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Adabisi swings wildly with an uppercut but Craftt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Craftt is stalling here.
Adabisi misses with the head strike.
Adabisi misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Craftt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Adabisi.
Craftt leaning his opponent against the cage.
Adabisi misses with a punch on the inside.

Adabisi manages to break the clinch.
Craftt shoots in looking for a takedown but Adabisi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Craftt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Simon Adabisi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Craftt.
Adabisi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Adabisi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Craftt pushes Adabisi up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee is keeping an eye on Adabisi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
With the fighters up against the cage, Craftt throws an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Adabisi had his way with Martin Craftt in that round.
That's time! Adabisi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Adabisi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Craftt.
Craftt tries to clinch up but Adabisi circles away and keeps his distance.
Craftt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Adabisi has closed the distance and engaged Craftt in a clinch.
Craftt is trying desperately to land a takedown but Adabisi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Craftt.

Craftt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Craftt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch lands to the side of Craftt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craftt slips a straight right by Adabisi.
Adabisi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Craftt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Adabisi's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Craftt lands a nice elbow.
Adabisi working hard to break the clinch.
Craftt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Adabisi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Adabisi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Adabisi misses.
Craftt tries to counter with a clinch but Adabisi shakes him off and moves away.
Craftt tries to clinch up but Adabisi circles away and keeps his distance.
Craftt fails with the takedown.

Craftt has closed the distance and engaged Adabisi in a clinch.
Craftt blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Craftt breaks the clinch.
Craftt slips under a jab.
Craftt moves in looking to clinch but Adabisi pushes him off.
Craftt tries to close the distance and clinch but Adabisi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Craftt tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Adabisi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Craftt closes the distance looking to clinch
and Adabisi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Adabisi displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Adabisi tries to keep at a distance but Craftt has taken the fight into the clinch.
Craftt unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Craftt tries to land knees in the clinch but Adabisi avoids the damage to the body.
Adabisi misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Adabisi.
Craftt prevents Adabisi from breaking the clinch.
Adabisi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Craftt is trying to maintain a safe position but Adabisi gets an underhook and turns Craftt into the cage.
Adabisi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Adabisi misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Craftt.
Adabisi letting Craftt take a breather here.
Adabisi lands with a left to the head.

Adabisi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Martin Craftt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Craftt misses with the combination.
Simon Adabisi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head kick misses from Craftt.
Craftt throws a head kick but Adabisi moves out of range.
Adabisi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Craftt tries to clinch but Adabisi moves away
and Adabisi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Craftt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Adabisi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Adabisi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Adabisi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 50:45
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Adabisi!
Simon Adabisi retains his bantamweight title!