PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Papy Abedi (ranked 3933 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Morgan (ranked 2751 p4p, 0 weight class). Morgan has chosen Sherry Monocle as his entrance music. Papy Abedi has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Abedi
vs
Morgan

181 cm
43
182 lbs
33 - 21 - 0

160 cm
42
171 lbs
29 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 33 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Papy Abedi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Morgan!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morgan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Abedi appears to be looking for a big counter.

Abedi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Morgan is trying to defend but Abedi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Morgan is looking to control Abedi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Morgan avoid being mounted?
Morgan controlling the position for now.
Abedi slips a nice elbow through Morgan's hands, connecting with Morgan's forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morgan tries to roll over but Abedi keeps him under control.
Abedi lands with a punch from half guard.
Morgan trying to hold on to Abedi's head to control him but Abedi postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan wants to get back to full guard.
Morgan keeping hold of Abedi's head, controlling as best he can.
Abedi wants to control but Morgan is keeping him busy.
Morgan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Abedi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Morgan is pressing down on Abedi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Morgan is pulling down on Abedi's head. It's preventing any offense from Abedi, at least for the moment.
Abedi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abedi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Abedi throwing strikes from guard but Morgan blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abedi stopping the sweep attempt from Morgan.
Abedi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morgan wants to stand and escape but Abedi is having none of it.
Abedi trying to control the position from guard on top but Morgan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morgan keeping full guard, as Abedi tries to pass.
Abedi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Abedi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Morgan is trying to control the position but Abedi postures up.
Abedi throwing strikes from guard but Morgan blocks nicely.
Abedi throwing strikes from guard but Morgan blocks nicely.
Abedi is looking to work some ground and pound but Morgan has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Morgan cracks the inside of Abedi's front leg.
Abedi jabs Morgan right on the nose. Morgan blinks but takes it well.
Morgan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Morgan misses with a kick to the body.
Morgan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Morgan misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Abedi to counter with a crisp jab.
Morgan leaves Abedi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Morgan misses with the combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Abedi misses the target.
Morgan looks to land a body kick but Abedi moved away.
Abedi dives in for a single leg takedown but Morgan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Morgan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Abedi tests Morgan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Morgan throws a body punch but Abedi moves out of range.
Morgan throws a series of punches but Abedi avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abedi shoots for a double leg takedown but Morgan sprawls well. He's pushed Abedi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papy Abedi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abedi goes for a double leg but Morgan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Morgan continues to drive forward.
Morgan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Morgan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Morgan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Good shot there by Morgan.

It looks like Papy Abedi has been cut.
Morgan misses with a series of wild punches.
Simon Morgan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morgan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Abedi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abedi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Morgan defending well though.
Morgan is refusing to be controlled, as Abedi sits in half guard.
Abedi lands strikes from half guard.
Abedi prevents Morgan from standing back up.
Morgan is pressing down on Abedi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Papy Abedi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Papy Abedi's cut.
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.

Abedi looking to score a takedown here. Morgan is defending well but Abedi drives through and ends up in Morgan's guard.

Morgan scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Simon Morgan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Morgan.
Morgan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Abedi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Morgan pinned against the cage. Morgan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morgan throws a counter combo.
Abedi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Morgan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Morgan staying out of range there.
Morgan throws a hook but Abedi blocks it.

Abedi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Morgan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Abedi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Morgan knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Morgan dodges the ground and pound from Abedi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Morgan takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Morgan taking a bit of punishment here - Abedi scoring with strikes.
Morgan tries to buck Abedi off but Abedi is having none of it.
Morgan being controlled for a moment.
Abedi lands a few punches from side control.
Abedi in side control lands a decent elbow.
Morgan is looking to regain half guard here but Abedi keeps moving and retains side control.
Abedi scoring with punches from side control.
Morgan is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Abedi has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Papy Abedi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abedi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Morgan's head.
Morgan is looking to improve his position.
Morgan is trying to stand.
Abedi throwing shots but Morgan is blocking nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Abedi lands a nice short elbow.
Morgan wants to get back to his feet.
Abedi working Morgan over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Abedi lands a nice short elbow.

Morgan manages to escape and get back to his feet!
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!
Sloppy strikes from Abedi. Those never looked like landing.
Abedi avoids the head kick by Morgan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan throws a body punch but Abedi moves out of range.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
Simon Morgan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Morgan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Morgan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Morgan throws a right hand that Abedi ducks under and follows up with a left that Abedi also avoids with ease.
Morgan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Abedi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Morgan slaps away a takedown attempt from Abedi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Abedi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Abedi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papy Abedi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abedi darts in looking for a takedown but Morgan gets double underhooks and turns Abedi into the cage.
Morgan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Abedi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Abedi stops Morgan from getting back to his feet.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morgan blocks an uppercut.

Morgan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morgan throws a nice head kick!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Abedi checks a leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Morgan. No joy for Abedi on that attempt.
Morgan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Morgan looks to land a combination but Abedi avoids it well.
Abedi shoots in for a takedown but Morgan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Morgan misses with a two punch combination.
Simon Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morgan misses with a few strikes there.
Abedi attempts a counter takedown but Morgan avoids it well and moves away.
Abedi blocks a head kick by Morgan.
Morgan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abedi closes the distance and clinches up with Morgan, looking for a takedown. Abedi pushes Morgan against the cage but Morgan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Abedi tries to bum rush Morgan with a series of wild strikes but Morgan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abedi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
Abedi throws a counter high kick but Morgan was just alert enough to avoid it.
Abedi dodges the punch combination from Morgan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Morgan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Papy Abedi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Abedi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Abedi throws a big right hand that misses.
Morgan has his hands on Abedi's head, controlling the position.
Abedi is working Morgan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abedi tries to free his leg and advance position but Morgan is retaining full guard.
Morgan trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Abedi trying to control the position from guard on top but Morgan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Morgan pushes Abedi off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan tried to score with a low kick but Abedi checks it.
Abedi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abedi darts in looking for a takedown but Morgan gets double underhooks and turns Abedi into the cage.
A punch combination from Morgan misses.
Morgan misses with a head kick.
Abedi lands a leg kick that knocks Morgan off balance momentarily.
Abedi tries for a takedown but Morgan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abedi checks a low kick from Morgan.
Morgan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Morgan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Abedi. That did some damage!
Morgan throws a head kick but Abedi moves out of range.
Morgan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morgan misses with an uppercut. Abedi saw that one coming.
Abedi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Morgan misses with a double jab
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Morgan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A bone on bone clash there as Morgan blocks the leg kick.
Morgan throws a wild body kick that Abedi sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Morgan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch lands to the side of Morgan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Abedi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Morgan misses with a body shot.
Abedi ducks under a wild hook from Morgan.

Abedi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Morgan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Abedi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Abedi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Morgan manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Abedi keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Abedi has a couple of punches blocked by Morgan.

Morgan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morgan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some bone on bone action there as Morgan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Abedi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morgan's waist but Morgan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Abedi off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papy Abedi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morgan throws a sloppy head kick and Abedi moves out of range easily.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
Abedi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Abedi slips a jab and a cross from Morgan.
Morgan lands a nice looking body shot.
Good exchange - Abedi coming out on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abedi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Morgan on his heels. He'll look to pass Morgan's guard now, I'm sure.

Morgan pushes Abedi off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morgan connects with the punch.
Abedi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Abedi dives in and scores a takedown into Morgan's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Morgan holds on and takes a little breather.
Abedi won't allow Morgan to get back to his feet.
Abedi wants to control from the top but Morgan keeps moving.
Abedi throws a strike but Morgan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Abedi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Morgan manages to get himself to full guard.

Abedi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Morgan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Morgan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Morgan!
After winning the bout, Simon Morgan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.