PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taaj Mahal (ranked 5667 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nias Leubler (ranked 3710 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mahal
vs
Leubler

180 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
25
162 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Taaj Mahal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nias Leubler!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Leubler! But no joy.
Mahal slips under a jab from Leubler.
The fighters circling - Leubler throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Mahal shoots in and gets a takedown into Leubler's guard.
Mahal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Leubler can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mahal pushes down on Leubler's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Mahal looking for a submission but Leubler manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

Mahal drops back looking for a leg! Leubler is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Leubler manages to kick Mahal off! Mahal jumps back into Leubler's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leubler is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mahal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mahal is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Leubler is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Leubler has escaped and now he's on top!

Mahal striking off his back but it's not causing Leubler any problems.
Leubler preventing the sweep.
Leubler postures up.
Leubler controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leubler stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mahal swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahal doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mahal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mahal is breathing heavily.
Leubler stands up out of Mahal's guard for a moment - Mahal manages to land a nice upkick.
Leubler showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leubler stuffs the takedown attempt from Mahal. Mahal gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Leubler. No joy for Mahal on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taaj Mahal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mahal takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Mahal.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leubler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mahal.

Leubler clinches up against the cage.

Leubler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahal shoots for a double leg takedown but Leubler sprawls well. He's pushed Mahal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leubler unleashes a big counter combination but Mahal bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Leubler misses the jab.
Mahal slips a jab from Leubler.
Leubler stuffs the takedown.
Leubler misses with a straight left.
Leubler misses with a low kick.
Nice shot by Leubler.
Leubler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mahal keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mahal fails with a takedown attempt.
Leubler ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Leubler connects with a nice looking jab.
Leubler missing with a left hand there. Mahal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leubler misses with an uppercut. Mahal saw that one coming.
Leubler throws a hook but Mahal avoids it easily.
Mahal moves out of range as Leubler strikes.
Mahal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leubler throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahal moves out of range of the strikes.
Mahal steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leubler.
Taaj Mahal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leubler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mahal was well out of range. Poor timing from Leubler.
Leubler misses with an uppercut. Mahal saw that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mahal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leubler but Leubler pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Leubler connects with a crisp jab.
Mahal blocks a jab.
Leubler throws a jab when Mahal was well out of range.
Mahal looks for a takedown but Leubler sprawls well.
Leubler lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Leubler scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Leubler misses the target.
Leubler misses with a hook. Mahal ducked under it nicely.
Mahal blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nias Leubler dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Leubler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mahal.
Leubler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mahal has a takedown stuffed.
Mahal looks for a takedown but Leubler sprawls well.
Nias Leubler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mahal slips a straight right by Leubler.
Leubler throws an overhand right that lands on Mahal's shoulder, as Mahal tries to avoid the shot.
Mahal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leubler as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taaj Mahal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mahal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Leubler misses with an uppercut. Mahal saw that one coming.

Mahal gets a takedown into half guard.
Mahal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Leubler is looking for a sweep. Mahal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mahal is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Leubler defends it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mahal is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mahal is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Leubler tries to get to full guard but Mahal has control of the leg.
Leubler works his way to full guard. Good work.
Leubler has control of Mahal's left arm, preventing Mahal from doing any damage.
Mahal won't allow Leubler to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Leubler has his hands on Mahal's head, controlling the position.
Leubler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Mahal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mahal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mahal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leubler is keeping the position for now.

Mahal postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Leubler is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mahal, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leubler looking to pass the guard.
Mahal wants to sweep here but Leubler controlling him for the moment.
Leubler controls from within his opponent's guard.
Leubler stopping the sweep attempt from Mahal.
Leubler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Leubler tries to free his leg and advance position but Mahal is retaining full guard.
Mahal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mahal keeping full guard, as Leubler tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Leubler throws a low kick but Mahal avoids it.
Mahal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mahal slips under a jab from Leubler.
Taaj Mahal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leubler pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leubler scores with a nice head shot.
Mahal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Leubler avoids it really well and circles away.
Leubler appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Nias Leubler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leubler misses with an uppercut. Mahal saw that one coming.
Leubler misses with a looping right.
Mahal thinks about countering with a head kick.
Mahal walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nias Leubler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mahal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Mahal slips under a jab from Leubler.
Mahal slips a jab from Leubler.
Leubler tests Mahal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leubler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mahal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Leubler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mahal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mahal fails with the takedown
and Leubler counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taaj Mahal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mahal fails to land the takedown.
Mahal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leubler but Leubler pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leubler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mahal in his tracks.
Leubler throws a big shot that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mahal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Leubler throws out a loose jab but Mahal uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leubler bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Leubler misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Leubler misses its intended target.
Mahal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leubler's waist but Leubler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mahal off to one side.
Leubler misses with an uppercut.
Mahal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leubler looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mahal slips a straight right by Leubler.
Leubler throws out a powerful jab.
Leubler thuds his right hand into Mahal's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Leubler bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mahal's head backwards.

Mahal is rocked!
Leubler pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oh Mahal is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mahal defending well as Leubler loads up on a big left hand.
Mahal seems to have got his legs back now.
A jab from Leubler finds it's way through Mahal's defenses.
Leubler lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Leubler throws out a loose jab but Mahal uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leubler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mahal.
As Leubler looks to move away, Mahal throws a big counter combo but Leubler just gets out of the way.
Mahal ducks under a wild hook from Leubler.
Mahal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leubler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leubler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mahal.
Mahal staying out of range there.
Leubler with a hook.
Leubler swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mahal slips under a jab.
Mahal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Leubler misses with a hook.
Mahal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leubler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mahal somewhat.
Leubler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leubler swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leubler throws a hook but Mahal blocks it.
Mahal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mahal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mahal tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leubler swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leubler pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mahal fails to land the takedown.
Leubler throws a jab but it's blocked by Mahal.
Leubler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Leubler looks to land a right hand but Mahal moved out of range.
Mahal seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Leubler misses the target.
The crowd cheers as Leubler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mahal doesn't seem phased though.
Leubler throws an overhand right that lands on Mahal's shoulder, as Mahal tries to avoid the shot.
Leubler lands a slapping body shot.
No luck for Mahal with that takedown attempt.
Mahal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Leubler. No joy for Mahal on that attempt.
Leubler throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leubler swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leubler misses with a straight left.
Mahal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mahal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Leubler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Leubler throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mahal sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Leubler misses the target.
Mahal shoots in for a takedown but Leubler shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Leubler misses with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leubler misses with a straight right.
Leubler misses with a hook.

Leubler gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Mahal to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Mahal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mahal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nias Leubler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leubler winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 26:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nias Leubler!