PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aleks Starakiewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sameh Habibi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Aleks Starakiewski has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Aleks Starakiewski seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Starakiewski
vs
Habibi

181 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
141 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleks Starakiewski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sameh Habibi!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Habibi. No joy for Starakiewski on that attempt.
Starakiewski has a takedown stuffed.

Habibi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Habibi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Starakiewski is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Habibi is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Habibi tries to control but Starakiewski wriggling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Starakiewski bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Starakiewski drops back, looking for a kneebar! Habibi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Habibi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Habibi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starakiewski is being controlled here.
Habibi tries to advance to mount but Starakiewski denies him.
Starakiewski is looking for a sweep.
Starakiewski is not content to let Habibi control the position.
Habibi is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Starakiewski will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Starakiewski is trying to work for a sweep but Habibi has mounted him!
Starakiewski gets back to half guard.

Habibi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Starakiewski looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Starakiewski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Starakiewski really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Starakiewski actively working from the bottom here.
Habibi is taking a breather. Starakiewski says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Starakiewski is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Habibi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Habibi's back!

Starakiewski is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Habibi is defending well though. Starakiewski let's go of the attempt for now.
Starakiewski doesn't have the hooks in and Habibi manages to turn into his guard.

Starakiewski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Habibi is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Habibi forces his way into half guard.

Habibi seems to be working for a kimura but Starakiewski defends the submission attempt.

Starakiewski actively working from the bottom here.
Habibi trying to pass the guard but Starakiewski defending well.
Habibi is taking a breather. Starakiewski says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Habibi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Starakiewski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Habibi.

Starakiewski actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Starakiewski won't allow Habibi to pass to mount.

Starakiewski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Habibi pulls his head out easily.

Starakiewski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Starakiewski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Habibi is pressing down on Starakiewski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Starakiewski is holding on for now.

Habibi is looking for a kimura but Starakiewski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Habibi to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Starakiewski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Habibi defends well and Starakiewski ends up having to push Habibi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Starakiewski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Habibi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Habibi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Habibi passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Starakiewski tries to improve position but can't.
Starakiewski is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Habibi is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Habibi wants to take Starakiewski's back but he can't do it this time.
Habibi content just to control the position here.

Habibi working for a submission but Starakiewski is keeping him at bay.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Habibi wants to control the pace but Starakiewski is squirming around nicely.
Starakiewski is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starakiewski tries to improve his position but instead Habibi has taken his back!
Starakiewski is really stuck here.

Habibi has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Habibi is looking for the choke from the back position but Starakiewski is controlling his hands well.

Starakiewski is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Habibi is breathing heavily.
Starakiewski tries to escape but Habibi has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Starakiewski's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Habibi trying to control.
Habibi has the hooks in. Starakiewski is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Starakiewski is trying to defend against the choke here but Habibi has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Habibi Tightens the hold and Starakiewski taps out furiously! Habibi displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sameh Habibi!