PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Van Clark (ranked 5156 p4p, 0 weight class) and Habib Abdul (ranked 4967 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Clark
vs
Abdul

159 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Van Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Habib Abdul!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdul swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Abdul throws a head kick that misses

and Clark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Abdul pulls guard.
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.

Abdul looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Clark wants to stand but Abdul has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abdul is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Abdul working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clark doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clark manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Clark could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clark wants to get up but he can't break Abdul's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Abdul is trying to control the position but Clark postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Abdul has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Clark is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Abdul.
Abdul tries to improve position but can't.

Clark decides to take the fight back to the feet.

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.
Abdul lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A head kick by Abdul misses

and Clark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Clark.

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

Abdul moves into the clinch.
Clark wants to break free but Abdul has control.
Clark throws a punch but it's blocked by Abdul.

Abdul breaks the clinch.

Abdul closes the distance and pushes Clark back into the cage.
Clark displaying some good clinch control by pressing Abdul up against the cage.
Clark has had enough of the clinch but Abdul keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abdul pulls guard effortlessly.
Clark might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Clark has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Abdul is proving hard to escape from.
Clark is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Abdul controlling Clark's posture.

Abdul isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Clark stacks Abdul on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Clark!
Abdul looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clark working the head with strikes.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Abdul is trying to control Clark's posture but Clark avoids it.

Clark stands up and beckons Abdul to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Clark gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Abdul to score an easy takedown into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Habib Abdul will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Clark looks for a takedown but Abdul sprawls well.
Clark shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Abdul sprawls well. Abdul wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Clark gets slowly back to his feet.

Abdul shoots in and bounces Clark off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clark wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul looking to pass the guard.
Clark lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Clark drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Clark jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Van Clark overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abdul trying to keep a closed guard but Clark is proving a slippery customer.

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.

Clark decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Clark closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Clark decides to stand back up. Clark steps back and let's Abdul get back to his feet.
Clark dives in and grabs Abdul's left leg, looking for a takedown. Abdul pushes down on Clark's head and hops out.
Abdul steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Clark.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Van Clark. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abdul moves into the clinch successfully.
Knees in the clinch landing for Abdul.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Abdul pulls guard.
Abdul wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Clark is now in half guard.
Well, if Clark is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Abdul is looking to improve his position.
Clark stops Abdul from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clark trying to control the pace.
Abdul pushes Clark off looking to stand but Clark dives back in and keeps control.
Abdul is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Clark scores with a couple of nice shots.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Clark not doing much here.

Abdul has one foot on Clark's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Habib Abdul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Clark fails to land the takedown.

Abdul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Clark kicks off Abdul and gets to his feet.

Clark closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Clark lands in his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abdul is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Clark prevents Abdul from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abdul throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Clark not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Clark stands up and waves to Abdul to follow him.
Abdul connects with a right hand. Clark shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Abdul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Abdul takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Clark is pressing down on Abdul's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Clark is adopting a defensive guard.
Clark lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Clark wants to stand but Abdul is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clark decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Abdul, up you get!
Habib Abdul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick by Abdul misses

and Clark counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Abdul tries to kick Clark off in order to stand up. Clark Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Abdul is trying to control Clark's posture but Clark avoids it.
A control attempt from Abdul but he's now mounted!
Abdul wants to control but Clark is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdul is trying to escape the mount.

Clark gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Abdul tries to sprawl but Clark drives through with a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abdul wants to sweep but Clark has passed to side control!

Clark has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Van Clark showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Abdul 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Habib Abdul!