PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emmett Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmed El Baghdadi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rogers
vs
El Baghdadi

221 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Emmett Rogers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ahmed El Baghdadi!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Baghdadi shoots in looking for a takedown but Rogers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing El Baghdadi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

El Baghdadi moves into the clinch successfully.
El Baghdadi prevents a takedown attempt there.
A frustrated look appears on El Baghdadi's face as he tries to break the clinch.

El Baghdadi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rogers is trying to escape back to his feet but El Baghdadi uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Rogers knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for El Baghdadi on the ground.
Rogers tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rogers is trying to control El Baghdadi's posture but El Baghdadi avoids it.
Rogers is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

El Baghdadi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rogers has escaped the position, nice work there.
El Baghdadi looks up at the clock and then as Rogers takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, El Baghdadi smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rogers tries to buck El Baghdadi off but El Baghdadi is having none of it.
El Baghdadi working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
El Baghdadi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

El Baghdadi stands up.
El Baghdadi throws a head kick that misses
and Rogers counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ahmed El Baghdadi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers tries to close the distance and clinch but El Baghdadi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

El Baghdadi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rogers is trying to force a seperation but El Baghdadi has the dominant position.

El Baghdadi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rogers really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Rogers clinches with his opponent.
Rogers leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rogers is trying to drag El Baghdadi to the mat but El Baghdadi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

El Baghdadi turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Rogers throws El Baghdadi to one side and escapes!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

El Baghdadi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

El Baghdadi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rogers regains guard.
Rogers 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.
El Baghdadi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rogers will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rogers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rogers is breathing heavily.

Rogers escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. El Baghdadi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
El Baghdadi sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers working a defensive guard but El Baghdadi manages to pass into side control anyway.

El Baghdadi stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Rogers stuffs the takedown.

El Baghdadi darts in and clinches Rogers up against the cage.
Rogers stalls.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, El Baghdadi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmed El Baghdadi dominated that round.
That's time! Rogers's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

El Baghdadi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rogers did well to prevent El Baghdadi getting side control.

Rogers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but El Baghdadi pulls his head out easily.
El Baghdadi is taking a breather. Rogers 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.
Rogers is holding on to half guard well.
El Baghdadi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rogers wants to sweep but El Baghdadi has passed to side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

El Baghdadi decides to take the fight back to the feet.
El Baghdadi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rogers circles away.
It looked like Rogers was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from El Baghdadi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rogers wants to clinch but El Baghdadi slips to the side
and El Baghdadi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
El Baghdadi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rogers counters with a one-two to the body.

El Baghdadi closes the distance and clinches.
El Baghdadi wants a takedown.
Emmett Rogers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahmed El Baghdadi.
Rogers scores with an uppercut up the middle.

El Baghdadi manages to break the clinch.
El Baghdadi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rogers swivels and escapes.

Rogers gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

El Baghdadi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

El Baghdadi tries to keep at a distance but Rogers has taken the fight into the clinch.

Rogers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
El Baghdadi throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
El Baghdadi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
El Baghdadi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rogers sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rogers swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
El Baghdadi shoots in but Rogers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
El Baghdadi is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Baghdadi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rogers counters with a series of strikes. El Baghdadi will be more careful next time no doubt.

Rogers has managed to clinch.
El Baghdadi keeps control of Rogers as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rogers fails to pull guard.
Rogers wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rogers looking for a takedown.

Rogers has El Baghdadi pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Rogers pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending El Baghdadi tumbling to the mat - Rogers dives into El Baghdadi's guard.
El Baghdadi is pulling down on Rogers's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers throws a strike but El Baghdadi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

El Baghdadi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
El Baghdadi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
El Baghdadi is looking to stand up but Rogers won't let him.
Rogers is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
El Baghdadi tries to free his leg and advance position but Rogers is retaining full guard.
El Baghdadi content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emmett Rogers dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

El Baghdadi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rogers's waist but Rogers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing El Baghdadi off to one side.
Rogers throws a quick counter head kick but El Baghdadi was just out of range.
El Baghdadi tries for a takedown but Rogers sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It looked like Rogers was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
El Baghdadi fails with a takedown attempt.
Emmett Rogers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahmed El Baghdadi.

Rogers moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rogers breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
El Baghdadi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rogers but Rogers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rogers throwing a counter right hand but El Baghdadi manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Baghdadi shoots in but no luck this time.
Emmett Rogers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rogers lands a front kick.
El Baghdadi tries a head kick but it misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Rogers misses its target.

El Baghdadi takes the fight into the clinch.
Rogers pushes El Baghdadi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rogers lands a hook that snaps the head of El Baghdadi backwards.

El Baghdadi pulls guard.
Rogers preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers controls from within his opponent's guard.

El Baghdadi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
El Baghdadi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rogers sitting in guard here, content to control.
El Baghdadi keeping moving, preventing Rogers from controlling successfully.
Rogers slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Baghdadi controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
El Baghdadi throws the left hand but Rogers avoids the punch easily.
El Baghdadi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rogers appears to be looking for a big counter.
Horrible takedown attempt by El Baghdadi or perhaps it was just good defense by Rogers, which made it look bad.
El Baghdadi fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rogers throws a head kick but El Baghdadi moves out of range.
El Baghdadi is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Rogers moves into range and clinches up with El Baghdadi.
Rogers is trying to break the clinch but El Baghdadi is controlling him.

Rogers pulls guard.
El Baghdadi wants to pass the guard but Rogers is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rogers trying to keep a closed guard but El Baghdadi is proving a slippery customer.
Rogers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in El Baghdadi's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emmett Rogers showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rogers has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emmett Rogers!