PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhammed Al Mustapha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Muhammed Al Mustapha is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

James
vs
Al Mustapha

210 cm
24
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
24
250 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josh James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Muhammed Al Mustapha!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James lands with a shot to the body.

James closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
James wants a takedown but no success here.
James wants a takedown.
James is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Al Mustapha pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al Mustapha breaks the clinch.
A combination from Al Mustapha does no damage.

James fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Al Mustapha, pushing him back against the cage.
James goes for a takedown attempt but Al Mustapha pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
James changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Al Mustapha tries to avoid it but James manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Al Mustapha to the ground. Al Mustapha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Crunch! Al Mustapha slams his shin into James's torso.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Mustapha shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Al Mustapha sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Mustapha has managed to clinch.
Al Mustapha tries to pull guard but James holds him up against the cage and eventually Al Mustapha drops back down to his feet.
Al Mustapha is trying to break free.

James breaks from the clinch.

James closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Al Mustapha letting James take a breather here.
Al Mustapha taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Al Mustapha fails to pull guard.
Al Mustapha has James pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Mustapha as he avoids it easily.
James misses with a body shot.
Al Mustapha throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.

Al Mustapha rushes James and presses him up against the cage.
James is stalling here.
Al Mustapha gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from James.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Al Mustapha works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

James kicks Al Mustapha off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Al Mustapha.

Al Mustapha feints and as James raises his hands in defense, Al Mustapha changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Al Mustapha controls from within his opponent's guard.

James looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Al Mustapha has picked James up and slammed him! James can't keep hold of the triangle and Al Mustapha manages to pass to side control!
James is breathing heavily.

Al Mustapha stands up and beckons James to his feet.
Al Mustapha keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Al Mustapha stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Al Mustapha wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al Mustapha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Al Mustapha ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Al Mustapha no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Al Mustapha swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Mustapha pulls James in close to his closed guard and prevents James from doing any damage or advancing position.

Al Mustapha looking for subs off his back but James has passed one foot through into half guard.
Al Mustapha has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. James is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammed Al Mustapha dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Al Mustapha dives in and scores a takedown into James's guard.
James keeping moving, preventing Al Mustapha from controlling successfully.
James wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Al Mustapha is now in half guard.
Al Mustapha trying to control from half guard but James is working away.
James wants to control but Al Mustapha passes into side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Mustapha lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear James down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Mustapha gets to mount! James was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
James is trying to escape the mount.
James is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
James is desperately trying to improve his position but Al Mustapha has a good base and remains in mount.
Al Mustapha trying to control but he's not successful this time.
James gets back to half guard.
Al Mustapha perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al Mustapha is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so James is just riding it out for now. Al Mustapha eventually gives up the hold.
James is looking to escape.
James is looking for a sweep. Al Mustapha is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al Mustapha is trying to control the action in half guard but James is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Al Mustapha perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is looking to improve his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Al Mustapha pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, James creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Al Mustapha trying to control the position but instead, James has worked for underhooks and has pushed Al Mustapha into the cage.
James jumps guard but Al Mustapha turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Al Mustapha stalling the fight.
Al Mustapha drops to a knee looking for a takedown but James gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James manages to break the clinch.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

James darts in and clinches Al Mustapha up against the cage.

Al Mustapha pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Despite the aggression on Al Mustapha's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Al Mustapha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with James but James pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
James dives in for a single leg takedown but Al Mustapha sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Mustapha closes this distance looking for a takedown but James circles away.
James throwing a counter right hand but Al Mustapha manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammed Al Mustapha 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!

Al Mustapha closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
James is looking for a sweep.
Al Mustapha wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.
James is being controlled here.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Al Mustapha on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Mustapha wants to control but James is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on James's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammed Al Mustapha has got the better of the ground game so far.
James is pushing Al Mustapha's head away, looking to escape. Al Mustapha manages to hold on to the position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
James dives in for a single leg takedown but Al Mustapha sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Al Mustapha swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Al Mustapha closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Al Mustapha pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Al Mustapha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Josh James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Al Mustapha is looking for the big counter here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck for Al Mustapha with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James misses with the combination.
Al Mustapha tries to counter by closing the distance.
James shoots in for a takedown but Al Mustapha shows good takedown defense.
Al Mustapha follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Al Mustapha, looking for a takedown. James pushes Al Mustapha against the cage but Al Mustapha circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Al Mustapha tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Al Mustapha rushes James and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Al Mustapha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Al Mustapha fights it off and pushes away nicely.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Al Mustapha.
James tries to counter by clinching up but Al Mustapha breaks away and moves out of range.
Al Mustapha has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Mustapha stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Al Mustapha wants it to stay on the feet.
Al Mustapha tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Mustapha shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Al Mustapha shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Mustapha misses with a low kick.
Al Mustapha tries for a takedown but James circles away easily
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Al Mustapha thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Al Mustapha avoids it really well and circles away.

Al Mustapha instigates a clinch.
Al Mustapha wants to get back to striking at distance but James won't allow it.
Al Mustapha can't break the clinch.
Al Mustapha is trying to pull guard but James turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Mustapha is looking to take this one to the mat.
Josh James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muhammed Al Mustapha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
James holding his opponent close, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muhammed Al Mustapha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Al Mustapha 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Muhammed Al Mustapha!