PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jamezdin Shraf (ranked 6762 p4p, 618 weight class) and Mousa Dembele (ranked 3363 p4p, 428 weight class). Shraf comes to the cage accompanied by Road To Glory. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shraf
vs
Dembele

190 cm
40
212 lbs
22 - 23 - 0

185 cm
26
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 22 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jamezdin Shraf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mousa Dembele!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shraf closes the distance and clinches.
Dembele tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dembele digs a right hand underneath Shraf's ribcage. Shraf let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shraf wants a takedown but no success here.
Dembele lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dembele lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shraf backwards.
Shraf has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dembele avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shraf is trying to drag Dembele to the mat but Dembele just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamezdin Shraf. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dembele.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dembele creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shraf has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dembele after a bit of a struggle.
Dembele misses with a punch on the inside.
Shraf lands with a right to the head.
Shraf misses with a punch on the inside.

Shraf lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dembele wants to control but Shraf passes into side.
Shraf trying to control the position but Dembele is working away.
Shraf is really struggling to control Dembele but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dembele tries to buck Shraf off but Shraf is having none of it.
Dembele keeps trying to improve his position.
Shraf is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Dembele is looking to reverse the position.

Shraf wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dembele, who protects the arm well.

Shraf thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dembele is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shraf's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dembele is trying to control but can't.

Shraf is trying to work for a kimura but Dembele is defending well.

Shraf is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shraf seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Dembele wants to control but Shraf is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shraf passes to side control.

Shraf is trying to get an arm triangle but Dembele is defending well.

Shraf tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Shraf tries for a kimura but Dembele is defending well.
Dembele is trying to get back to half guard.

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.

Shraf tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shraf has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shraf has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Dembele!

Shraf swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Dembele is now in Shraf's guard. A big mistake from Shraf there, giving up the dominant position!
Dembele wants to control from the top but Shraf keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dembele with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dembele pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shraf is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dembele working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
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 Jamezdin Shraf will probably get the nod.
That's time! Shraf's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shraf uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dembele.
Dembele circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dembele closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dembele fails to land with a series of punches.
Dembele throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dembele is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shraf.

Shraf moves into the clinch.
Dembele throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shrafs head.
Shraf throws a head punch that misses.
Shraf drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shraf blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dembele.

Shraf has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Dembele regains guard immediately.
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!
Shraf trying to control the position from guard on top but Dembele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dembele wants to sweep but no luck.
Dembele managing to control the position.
Shraf prevents Dembele from getting back to his feet.
Shraf controlling from the top position.
Dembele is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shraf passes into half guard.
Shraf tries to pass to full mount but Dembele defends it.

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.
Dembele is looking to improve his position.
Shraf is keen to just control but Dembele is a slippery customer.
Shraf perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shraf seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Dembele for as long as he can get away with.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Shraf is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dembele doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shraf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shraf is keen to just control but Dembele is a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shraf takes one on the chin but seems OK.

It looks like Jamezdin Shraf has been cut.
Dembele has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Shraf is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Shraf is looking to clinch but Dembele is avoiding it.

Shraf closes the distance and clinches.
Dembele lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shraf is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dembele pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shraf blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Shraf turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shraf manages to end up in side control.
Dembele tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shraf wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Shraf tries for a kimura but Dembele is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shraf looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dembele tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jamezdin Shraf overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shraf working away.
Dembele is looking for a sweep.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dembele is trying to control Shraf's posture but Shraf avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shraf tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shraf has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dembele tries to bench press Shraf off him but Shraf keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mousa Dembele will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jamezdin Shraf's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dembele misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shraf.
Shraf's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dembele connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shraf scrambles back to his feet.
Dembele connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shraf's hands.
Nice defenses there by Shraf.
Shraf attempts a counter takedown but Dembele avoids it well and moves away.
Shraf is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dembele swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shraf steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dembele.
Shraf appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've been told by Shraf's head coaches at Spartans Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Mousa Dembele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shraf defending well as Dembele loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shraf takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dembele just misses with a punch to the body.
Shraf appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Dembele with a nice cross.
Dembele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shraf manages to avoid it.
Shraf attempts a counter takedown but Dembele avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shraf moves out of range as Dembele strikes.
Shraf goes for a double leg but Dembele avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dembele continues to drive forward.
Dembele looks for a takedown but Shraf sprawls well.
Shraf feinted with a counter takedown.

Dembele lands a left and a right that send Shraf crashing to the mat, dazed. Dembele thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Shraf tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shraf walks into a stiff left hand from Dembele.
Dembele motions for Shraf to come forward. Dembele throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Shraf looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dembele!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dembele tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shraf avoiding Dembele 's attempts to control his hands.
Shraf trying to control momentarily.

Shraf working for a choke but Dembele is defending well.

Shraf looking to break Dembele's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Dembele remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Shraf will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Dembele trying to control the position but Shraf manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dembele is trying to stand back up.
Shraf is looking to control Dembele but Dembele is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Dembele can't escape the position.
Dembele tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Shraf looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Shraf tries to control but Dembele wriggling away.
Dembele is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dembele wants to hold on but Shraf pushes him away.

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

Shraf is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Dembele can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Dembele tries to hold on but Shraf pushes him away.
Shraf trying to control but Dembele is having none of it.
Dembele is desperately trying to improve his position but Shraf has a good base and remains in mount.
Dembele has given up his back here.
Dembele is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Shraf.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mousa Dembele comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dembele 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mousa Dembele!
During a confident post fight interview, Mousa Dembele thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.