PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Werner Elliott (ranked 5662 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaharuddin Kalam (ranked 24445 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Elliott
vs
Kalam

171 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Werner Elliott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shaharuddin Kalam!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Steve Erwin and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Kalam scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Kalam has closed the distance and engaged Elliott in a clinch.

Kalam breaks from the clinch.

Kalam feints and as Elliott raises his hands in defense, Kalam changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Elliott is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kalam presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
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!
A short body shot lands from Kalam as the two fighters clinch.

Kalam pulls Elliott into guard.
Kalam is trying to keep Elliott in close.
Elliott working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elliott works over Kalam with some ground and pound from guard.
Elliott 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.
Kalam trying to control the position.
Kalam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Elliott throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Elliott is looking to work some ground and pound but Kalam has wrist control.
Elliott working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kalam looking to control.
Kalam has momentary wrist control but Elliott slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Elliott accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalam is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Elliott defends well.

Kalam working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Elliott doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Elliott manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Elliott postures up in Kalam's guard and throws a big left but Kalam blocks it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Elliott drops back looking for a leg! Kalam is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kalam manages to kick Elliott off! Elliott jumps back into Kalam's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Elliott darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Elliott could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elliott seems to be looking for submissions.
Kalam works his way to full guard. Good work.

Kalam looking for subs off his back but Elliott has passed one foot through into half guard.
Kalam wants to get back to full guard but Elliott has passed into side control.
Kalam looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Elliott stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kalam defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Elliott.

Kalam looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Elliott scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Kalam manages to mount him!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shaharuddin Kalam will probably get the nod.
That's time! Elliott's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Elliott gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kalam to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kalam wants to pass the guard but Elliott is keeping the position.
Werner Elliott overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kalam gets to his feet - Elliott follows without any prompting.
Shaharuddin Kalam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Elliott closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kalam to the mat! Kalam manages to get full guard.
Elliott cracks Kalam with a solid left hand.
Kalam has momentary wrist control but Elliott slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalam controls Elliott momentarily but Elliott frees himself.
Elliott in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kalam has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kalam tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kalam trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalam has momentary wrist control but Elliott slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kalam is trying to keep Elliott in close.
Elliott is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Elliott feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kalam is trying to control the position but Elliott postures up.
Kalam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kalam is breathing heavily.
Kalam has his hands on Elliott's head, controlling the position.
Kalam is trying to control the position but Elliott postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalam looking for a sweep. Not yet Kalam, not yet.
Kalam pulls Elliott in close to his closed guard and prevents Elliott from doing any damage or advancing position.
Elliott postures up and lands a big shot to Kalam's brow.

Elliott 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.
Elliott throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kalam gets a takedown into half guard.
Elliott regains full guard. Nicely done.
Elliott is trying to keep Kalam in close.
Kalam looking to sit in guard and control but Elliott gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kalam really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Elliott. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elliott is fighting to break Kalam's control of his arms but Kalam is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Werner Elliott dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Kalam closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Elliott to the mat! Elliott manages to get full guard.
Elliott wants to sweep but no luck.
Kalam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kalam wants to control from the top but Elliott keeps moving.
Kalam is looking to work some ground and pound but Elliott has wrist control.

Elliott looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalam trying to control the position from guard on top but Elliott is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalam looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalam works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kalam trying to control from half guard but Elliott is working away.
Kalam tries to pass the half guard into mount. Elliott knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Elliott is controlling Kalam's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Elliott looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kalam is keen to just control but Elliott is a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kalam feints a jab promting Elliott to slip. Kalam then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Elliott slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Werner Elliott has been cut.
Elliott shoots in for a double leg but Kalam sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kalam throws a sloppy head kick and Elliott moves out of range easily.
Elliott shoots in and drives through. Kalam sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalam has Elliott up against the cage in a clinch.
Elliott tries to pull guard but Kalam holds him up against the cage and eventually Elliott drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Werner Elliott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalam is struggling to control the position.
Kalam tries a body shot but Elliott blocks it.
Elliott tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kalam manages to break the clinch.

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.
Elliott shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kalam but Kalam pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kalam shoots in and gets a takedown into Elliott's guard.

Elliott manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Kalam is trying to trip Elliott. He has hold of a leg but Elliott is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kalam persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Kalam decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Elliott, up you get!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elliott misses with a takedown attempt

and Kalam counters with a takedown into side control.
Elliott tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

And that's the end of the fight!
Werner Elliott showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Werner Elliott!