PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bart Paw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arslan Rashid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Paw
vs
Rashid

175 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 14 - 0

170 cm
24
135 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 3 - 14 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bart Paw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arslan Rashid!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rashid shoots in for a takedown but Paw shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Paw seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Paw tries to clinch up.
Paw tries a head kick but it misses.
Paw tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Paw instigates a clinch.
Paw jumps guard but Rashid turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Paw really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Rashid pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paw wants to clinch but Rashid slips to the side

and Rashid counters with a head kick that drops Paw to the mat! Paw scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Paw is rocked!

Rashid moves into the clinch.
Oh Paw is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Paw has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rashid avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Paw pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paw seems to have got his legs back now.

Rashid shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Rashid missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashid is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Paw is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Paw taking some punishment here, with Rashid in his half guard.
Paw taking some punishment here, with Rashid in his half guard.

Rashid is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paw has managed to free his arm - good work.
Paw regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rashid has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rashid trying to control the position from guard on top but Paw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paw seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Paw has momentary wrist control but Rashid slips an elbow through the middle.

Rashid got a little sloppy there for a moment and Paw has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rashid has managed to get both his arms back between Paw's legs - danger averted.
Rashid content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashid looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rashid trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rashid working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Paw's head.
Paw is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rashid trying to control the position from guard on top but Paw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rashid missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rashid scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rashid postures up in Paw's guard and throws a big left but Paw blocks it.
Rashid throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paw works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rashid trying to control the position from guard on top but Paw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paw has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rashid can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paw is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rashid in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rashid postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rashid wants to stand but Paw has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rashid landing with the ground and pound.
Paw not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Paw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rashid postures up and lands a big shot to Paw's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paw is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rashid working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rashid is working Paw over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rashid sitting in guard here, content to control.
Paw throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Paw bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rashid's guard.

Rashid pulls Paw in close to prevent any damage.
Paw passes Rashid's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Rashid actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arslan Rashid dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Paw fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rashid has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paw throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rashid's waist but Rashid gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Paw off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Paw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bart Paw. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rashid shoots in looking for a takedown but Paw manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rashid's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Paw is looking for a counter combo.
Rashid throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Paw bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rashid explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paw stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rashid.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paw chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Rashid gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rashid is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paw using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rashid has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Rashid manages to break the clinch.
Paw does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Paw shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rashid as he jumps to the side.
As Paw backs off Rashid throws a huge counter combo but Paw manages to avoid it all.
Paw with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rashid counters with a left and a right that stings Paw.
Rashid steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Paw.

Paw pushes Rashid up against the cage in a clinch.
Rashid lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Paw backwards.
Paw taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rashid escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paw steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Rashid. That one must have hurt.
Paw looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rashid is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paw changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rashid tries to avoid it but Paw manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rashid to the ground. Rashid escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rashid!

It looks like Bart Paw has been cut.

Rashid fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Paw, pushing him back against the cage.
Rashid prevents a takedown attempt there.
Paw tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rashid just stands there and leans against the cage.

Rashid manages to pull guard.
Rashid keeping full guard, as Paw tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rashid working for a triangle but Paw defends it easily.
Rashid looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rashid is trying to hold Paw in close to prevent damage but Paw has managed to pass into half guard.

Rashid has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Paw is on him like a limpet, forcing Rashid back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paw pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paw lands a high kick!
Rashid misses with a few strikes there.
Rashid tries a head kick but it misses.
Rashid throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rashid is breathing heavily.

Rashid takes the fight into the clinch.

Rashid manages to pull guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rashid is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Paw is controlling him.
Rashid can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Paw controls the pace.
Paw landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arslan Rashid showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bart Paw's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Paw has closed the distance and engaged Rashid in a clinch.
Paw taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Paw jumps guard but Rashid stands there with Paw around his waist. Paw gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Paw jumps guard.
Paw pulls Rashid in to control the position.
Rashid in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rashid wants to control from the top but Paw keeps moving.
Paw on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paw tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paw is pulling down on Rashid's head. It's preventing any offense from Rashid, at least for the moment.
Rashid landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashid postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Paw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rashid doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rashid manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rashid throws a strike but Paw rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Paw knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rashid on the ground.
Paw wants to control from the top but Rashid keeps moving.
Rashid is looking to stand up but Paw isn't so interested in that idea.
Paw distracts Rashid with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Paw is in close to Rashid's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashid looking for a sweep. Not yet Rashid, not yet.
Paw wants to pass the guard but Rashid is keeping the position.
Paw is working hard here to advance position.

Rashid has an active guard here but Paw has managed to pass into half guard.
Paw looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Paw scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paw working Rashid over with strikes.
Rashid is looking to improve his position.

Rashid pushes Paw off and gets back to his feet.
Bart Paw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paw leaves Rashid with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rashid takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Paw clinches up with Rashid and pushes him back against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rashid.
Paw tries to break the clinch but Rashid is controlling the position.
Paw throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rashid's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A lazy body kick from Paw
and Rashid counters with a nice body kick.
Paw wants to clinch up but Rashid keeps it at a distance.

Rashid closes the distance and pushes Paw back into the cage.

Paw breaks the clinch.
Arslan Rashid seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rashid lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paw circles away quickly and effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rashid fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rashid lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rashid fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paw keeps the fight on the outside.

Paw throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rashid tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Paw is in Rashid's guard.
Bart Paw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arslan Rashid is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Paw being controlled here momentarily.

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 Bart Paw.
Well Rashid 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arslan Rashid!