PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johhny Mike (ranked 6568 p4p, 237 weight class) and Djdi Sbsj (ranked 24556 p4p, 258 weight class). Djdi Sbsj struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Mike
vs
Sbsj

150 cm
18
133 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

171 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Johhny Mike!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Djdi Sbsj!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sbsj tries for a takedown but Mike sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Mike as Sbsj shoots in.
Sbsj tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mike throws a sloppy head kick and Sbsj moves out of range easily.
Mike shoots and misses

and Sbsj moves into the clinch.

Sbsj is trying to trip Mike. He has hold of a leg but Mike is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Sbsj persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Mike wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Sbsj manages to pass to side control.
Mike might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Mike throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Mike is trying to control but can't.
Mike is breathing heavily.
Sbsj winds up and cracks Mike with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sbsj seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Well, if Sbsj 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sbsj decides to stand and escape the position.
Mike slaps away a takedown attempt from Sbsj, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mike definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Johhny Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Djdi Sbsj.

Sbsj gets a double leg takedown into Mike's guard.

Mike is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Sbsj presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Sbsj goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mike prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mike manages to pull guard.
Mike controlling Sbsj's posture.
Sbsj is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mike has a closed guard, preventing Sbsj from standing up.
Sbsj trying to control the position from guard on top but Mike is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sbsj is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mike is trying to control the position but Sbsj postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sbsj uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mike.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mike enables Sbsj to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mike manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sbsj keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mike's head.

Mike looking for a guillotine here but Sbsj defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sbsj slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sbsj circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sbsj counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Mike has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Sbsj is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Sbsj drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mike gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mike is trying to break the clinch but Sbsj has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mike wants the takedown. Sbsj is fighting it off but Mike persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Sbsj's guard against the cage.
Sbsj looking to control.

Sbsj has his foot on Mike's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mike works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sbsj is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike wants to control from the top but Sbsj keeps moving.
Sbsj is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mike being controlled here momentarily.

Sbsj has his foot on Mike's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mike works his way back into a safe position though.
Mike wants to stand and escape but instead Sbsj has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Sbsj is adopting a defensive guard.

Sbsj is looking for a triangle but Mike pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sbsj is trying to control the position but Mike postures up.
Mike trying to control the position from guard on top but Sbsj is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mike is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sbsj is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sbsj wants to sweep here but Mike controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.
Mike looking to pass the guard.
Sbsj not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sbsj is looking to stand back up but Mike counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Sbsj.
Sbsj is staying active underneath Mike, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sbsj has his hands clasped together around Mike's back. He's all about the action.

Mike is looking for a kimura but Sbsj is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mike to get the leverage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Johhny Mike will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sbsj closes the distance and clinches.
Sbsj has had enough of the clinch but Mike keeps him there for the moment.

Sbsj pulls guard effortlessly.
Mike works over Sbsj with some ground and pound from guard.
Sbsj is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mike stopping the sweep attempt from Sbsj.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sbsj holds on and takes a little breather.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sbsj is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sbsj wants to work for an arm triangle but Mike is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Mike moves into full guard.
Mike is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mike wants to control but Sbsj passes easily into half guard.

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.
Sbsj takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sbsj is thwarting Mike's attempts to control the position.
Sbsj lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sbsj is looking to advance position but Mike won't allow it.

Sbsj seems to be looking for submissions.
Mike works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sbsj content to stall in guard here.
Sbsj's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sbsj changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mike tries to avoid it but Sbsj manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mike to the ground. Mike escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck for Sbsj with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sbsj fails to land the takedown.
Mike lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Johhny Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Djdi Sbsj.
Mike misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mike looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Sbsj scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Mike is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mike is trying to improve his position.

Mike explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Djdi Sbsj.
I think Sbsj 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Djdi Sbsj!