PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 325 p4p, 52 weight class) and Cheik Imbula (ranked 365 p4p, 61 weight class). Baba comes to the cage accompanied by Nation Arabic Orchestra. Imbula has chosen ~Apache~ as his entrance music. 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.

Isa Baba
vs
Imbula

181 cm
36
172 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

185 cm
33
180 lbs
27 - 15 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baba throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Imbula on the side of the head.
Imbula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Imbula slips under a jab from Baba.
Imbula throws a quick inside leg kick.
Imbula throws a quick inside leg kick.
Imbula misses with a hook. Baba ducked under it nicely.
Imbula lands a nice leg kick that just misses Baba's sensitive parts.
Imbula jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Imbula lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Baba checks a low kick from Imbula.
Imbula paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Imbula misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Baba wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Good leg kick by Baba there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Imbula, right into the meat.
Baba fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imbula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Baba has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Baba there as he acknowledges the shot.
Baba needs to keep his hands up - Imbula had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba delivers a nice body kick.
Baba throws a body kick that misses
enabling Imbula to counter with a crisp jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Imbula.

Baba clinches.
Baba lands with a right to the head.
Imbula struggles to land a body shot inside as Baba controls his hands.
Baba lands a right hand.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Baba blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula working aggressively here.
Imbula misses with a body punch.
Baba tries a body shot but Imbula blocks it.
Baba lands a right hand.
Imbula makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Baba.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Imbula breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Imbula fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Baba swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Imbula to counter with a crisp jab.
Imbula moves out of range as Baba throws a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba tries to score with a low kick but Imbula moves his leg out of the way.
Imbula tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Baba gets a clinch.
Baba misses with the head strike.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
A body shot lands from Baba.
Imbula tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baba's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Baba fails to land.
Baba blocking some punches.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Imbula on the inside.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Imbula misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Imbula backwards.
Imbula has had enough of the clinch but Baba keeps him there for the moment.
Baba struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Imbula misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baba backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba lands a left hand.
Baba struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Baba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Imbula tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Baba.
Baba working aggressively here.
Imbula misses with a hook to the ribs.
Imbula blocks an uppercut.
Baba throws a punch but it's blocked by Imbula.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Baba.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Imbula.
Imbula working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baba tries a body shot but Imbula blocks it.
Imbula lands with a short shot to the head.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Baba.

Imbula breaks from the clinch.
Imbula rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Baba counters with an outside leg kick.
Imbula thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Baba if he has to take too many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baba ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Baba misses with a looping right.
Imbula throws a head kick but Baba moves out of range.
Imbula ducks right into an uppercut from Baba.
Imbula misses with a low kick.
Baba keeps Imbula at a distance using the push kick.
Baba checks a low kick from Imbula.
Imbula is looking to clinch but Baba is avoiding it.
Baba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Imbula throws out the jab.
Baba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Imbula was well out of range. Poor timing from Baba.
Imbula throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Imbula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Imbula works the jab nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Imbula lands a glancing blow to the side of Baba's head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Baba.
We've been told by Baba's head coaches at Ryōzanpaku Dojo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Imbula throws a body shot but no joy.
Baba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Imbula.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cheik Imbula will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Imbula ducks under a wild hook from Baba.
Imbula on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A good leg kick by Imbula.
Imbula swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
Baba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Baba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Imbula.
Imbula walks forward, straight into a front kick from Baba.
Cheik Imbula seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good work by Imbula as he checks the leg kick.
Imbula throws a body punch but Baba moves out of range.
Baba takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Imbula scores with a jab. Baba acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba moves out of range of the leg kick from Imbula.
A shot to the body from Imbula misses
letting Baba counter with a right hand.
Baba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Imbula throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
An inside leg kick from Baba misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Imbula swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baba feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Imbula throws a leg kick that misses.
Imbula has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Imbula swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
Baba looks to score with a jab to the body but Imbula is just out of range.
Baba throws a good cross that connects.
Baba lands a slapping body shot.
Baba throws the kick towards the body but Imbula avoids it.
Imbula let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Baba moves out of range of the strikes.
Imbula takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Baba scores with a jab to the jaw.

Imbula is rocked!

Baba cracks Imbula with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Imbula looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Baba finish him?
Imbula is still on wobbly legs! Can Baba finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baba avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A quick step to the side and Baba tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Imbula works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Baba moves out of range as Imbula strikes.
Imbula throws an off balance right hand
and Baba counters with a huge overhand right that connects right on the temple, sending him crumpling, face first to the floor! This one is all over! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Afeef Isa Baba!
A relieved looking Afeef Isa Baba thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.