PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rudi Dassler (ranked 276 p4p, 45 weight class) and Ghazi Okah (ranked 145 p4p, 19 weight class). Okah is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rock Stone. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dassler
vs
Okah

200 cm
34
215 lbs
25 - 21 - 0

195 cm
29
210 lbs
21 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Urban Fighter
Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Rudi Dassler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ghazi Okah!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dassler fails to land the takedown.
Dassler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Okah is fending him off so far but Dassler persists. Nope, Okah circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice side step and Okah releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Dassler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dassler showed some decent athleticism there.
Okah tries to get to full guard but Dassler has control of the leg.

Dassler seems to be looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okah has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dassler is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Okah is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Okah keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dassler wants to work for an arm triangle but Okah is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Okah keeping control of the position.

Dassler is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Okah is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dassler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dassler's back!
Okah controlling the position well here. Dassler rolled but Okah kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Dassler rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Okah stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dassler is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Okah pulls his head out easily.

Dassler looking for submissions off his back.
Okah is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Okah trying to mount his opponent but Dassler defends it.
Dassler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Okah content to control rather than advance.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dassler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dassler missing with punches from the bottom.
Okah keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Dassler actively working from the bottom here.
Dassler wants to get back to full guard.
Okah works his foot free and advances to mount.
Dassler manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dassler is looking to improve his position.
Okah tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dassler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Okah perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Dassler looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dassler missing with punches from the bottom.
Dassler wants to improve his position but Okah is controlling well.
Okah stalling.
Okah's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Okah stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Okah missing with a left hand there. Dassler was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazi Okah dominated that round.
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.

Okah stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Okah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dassler was well out of range. Poor timing from Okah.
A leg kick checked by Dassler.
Okah misses with a low kick.
Dassler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dassler manages to avoid it.
Dassler fires out a quick counter leg kick but Okah just manages to avoid it.
Okah avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dassler doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Okah counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dassler throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okah's waist but Okah gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dassler off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudi Dassler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okah connects with a good right hand that stumbles Dassler. Dassler circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

It looks like Rudi Dassler has been cut.
Okah displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dassler.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Okah! But no joy.
Dassler tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okah defends well and Dassler ends up having to push Okah into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Okah swings for the body but Dassler moves out of range.
Dassler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Okah counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dassler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Okah avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dassler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Okah prevents it.
Dassler tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dassler wants to take the fight to the mat but Okah manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Okah digs a right hand into Dassler's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dassler's gas tank.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Okah lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Okah works on Dassler's body with a couple of short punches.
Dassler can't get the takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Okah.
Okah misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Okah.
Okah digs a right hand into Dassler's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dassler's gas tank.
Okah makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Okah lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Okah stops a takedown attempt from Dassler.
Okah stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Okah lands a hook to the side of the head.
Okah lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dassler backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okah scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Okah scores with a shoulder strike.
Okah lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Okah misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Okah lands a hook to the side of the head.

Dassler is rocked!

Dassler has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Okah clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Dassler is not going to allow Okah to sit and survive in this position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dassler working for a choke but Okah is defending well.
Okah looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dassler has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Okah has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Okah covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Okah tries to roll but Dassler sticks to his back.

Dassler is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Okah is defending well though. Dassler let's go of the attempt for now.
Okah wants to escape the position.
Okah is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Dassler off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Okah turns into Dassler and is now in his guard.
Dassler being controlled here, momentarily.

Dassler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazi Okah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rudi Dassler's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Okah connects with a body shot.
Dassler has his takedown stuffed
and Okah counters with a straight right hand.
Dassler shoots in but Okah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Okah drops Dassler with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Dassler looks back up at him and smiles so Okah waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Oh Dassler is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okah ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dassler seems to have got his legs back now.
Okah swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dassler slips under a jab.
Dassler tries to counter with a takedown but Okah is quick to defend against it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dassler or perhaps it was just good defense by Okah, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudi Dassler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dassler defending well as Okah loads up on a big left hand.
Dassler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Okah sprawls well. Okah wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dassler gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dassler fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Okah to the ground. Dassler is now in Okah's guard.

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

Okah stands and steps away. Dassler gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
No luck for Dassler with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okah throws a low kick but Dassler moves out of range easily.
Dassler tries to counter by clinching up but Okah breaks away and moves out of range.
Dassler needs to keep his hands up - Okah had a free shot at his head there.
Dassler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okah.
Dassler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Okah sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Okah looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dassler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Okah defends it nicely.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
A head kick misses from Okah.
Dassler feinted with a counter takedown.
Dassler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dassler.
Okah throws out a counter right but Dassler avoids it with no problem.

Okah tries to keep at a distance but Dassler has taken the fight into the clinch.
Dassler can't get the takedown.
Okah lands with a short shot to the head.
Dassler jumps guard but Okah stands there with Dassler around his waist. Dassler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dassler tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ghazi Okah is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Okah makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rudi Dassler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Okah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Okah works Dassler's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ghazi Okah comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Okah 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghazi Okah!
A relieved looking Ghazi Okah thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.