PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abul Khayr Belabed (ranked 3562 p4p, 373 weight class) and Desmond Lewis (ranked 5707 p4p, 498 weight class). Abul Khayr Belabed had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Khayr Belabed
vs
Lewis

180 cm
27
155 lbs
6 - 7 - 1

186 cm
26
158 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abul Khayr Belabed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Desmond Lewis!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lewis throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Belabed was covering up waiting for the punch and Lewis finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Belabed keeping moving, preventing Lewis from controlling successfully.
Lewis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belabed swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lewis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Lewis pushing down on Belabed's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belabed trying to control here.

Lewis is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Belabed gets full guard.
Belabed is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belabed is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lewis looking to sit in guard and control but Belabed gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lewis looking to control but Belabed passes into half guard.
Lewis keeping control of the position.
Belabed wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lewis keeps working.
Lewis is looking to improve his position.
Belabed is trying to control the action in half guard but Lewis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belabed prevents Lewis from improving his position.
Lewis tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Belabed manages to move to mount!

Lewis defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Belabed.
Belabed looking to control and managing it successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lewis can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lewis has given up his back here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belabed trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Lewis doesn't escape.
Belabed is not going to allow Lewis to sit and survive in this position.
Lewis tries to break free.
Lewis trying to control the action but Belabed just sinks the hooks in.
Belabed tries to get the hooks in deep but Lewis pushed the leg off.
I really don't envy Lewis right now.
Lewis is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Lewis is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Belabed tries to keep control of the position but Lewis is staying busy.
Belabed keeps control of the position as Lewis tries to break free.
Lewis is still trying to improve position.
Lewis trying to control but not successfully.
I really don't envy Lewis right now.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lewis has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Lewis is trying to break free.
Belabed controlling from the back.
Belabed has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Belabed trying to control momentarily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Lewis looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Lewis prevents Belabed from getting a body triangle.
Belabed is really struggling to control Lewis but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's eight 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.
Belabed keeps control of the position as Lewis tries to break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Belabed's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Lewis trying to control the hands but Belabed won't let him.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Lewis is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Lewis won't enjoy being in this position. Belabed looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Lewis is tapping - it's over boys! Belabed picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Abul Khayr Belabed!
During a confident post fight interview, Abul Khayr Belabed thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.