PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Omar Al Boleahi (ranked 2560 p4p, 281 weight class) and Connar Cage (ranked 2959 p4p, 318 weight class). Connar Cage will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Al Boleahi
vs
Cage

179 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

176 cm
26
159 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Al Boleahi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Connar Cage!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage slaps away a takedown attempt from Al Boleahi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Al Boleahi.
Cage steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Al Boleahi.
Cage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Al Boleahi as he avoids it easily.
Al Boleahi slaps away a takedown attempt from Cage, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Al Boleahi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Al Boleahi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al Boleahi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cage did well to prevent Al Boleahi getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cage wants to get back to his feet.
Al Boleahi misses with a head shot. Cage uses the momentum to regain guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cage has his foot on Al Boleahi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Boleahi works his way back into a safe position though.
Cage has momentary wrist control but Al Boleahi slips an elbow through the middle.
Al Boleahi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Al Boleahi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cage working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Al Boleahi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Al Boleahi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Al Boleahi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Al Boleahi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Cage is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Al Boleahi is aware though and is defending well.
Al Boleahi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Al Boleahi is looking to work some ground and pound but Cage has wrist control.
Cage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Al Boleahi.
Al Boleahi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cage is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Al Boleahi throws a big elbow that misses.
Al Boleahi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Al Boleahi tries to kick Cage off in order to stand up. Cage Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Al Boleahi is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Cage wants to lay and pray for a moment but Al Boleahi keeps working.
Al Boleahi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cage on the ground.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet.
Al Boleahi trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Al Boleahi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Al Boleahi tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Boleahi sneaks out the side door and pushes Cage away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Cage doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Boleahi circles away.
No luck for Cage with that takedown attempt.

Cage gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Al Boleahi connects with a couple of short punches.
Cage has momentary wrist control but Al Boleahi slips an elbow through the middle.
Al Boleahi preventing the sweep.
Cage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Al Boleahi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cage's head.
Al Boleahi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cage throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi distracts Cage with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Al Boleahi throws a big elbow that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Boleahi distracts Cage with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cage trying to keep a closed guard but Al Boleahi is proving a slippery customer.
Al Boleahi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cage wants to sweep but no luck.
Al Boleahi throws an elbow that misses. Cage uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Al Boleahi's guard. Nice move by Cage!

Cage stands up from Al Boleahi's guard - Cage perhaps looking for a knockout.
Al Boleahi goes for a double leg but Cage avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cage continues to drive forward.

Cage clinches with his opponent.
Al Boleahi goes for a takedown attempt but Cage pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Al Boleahi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
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 Omar Al Boleahi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cage tries to clinch up.
Omar Al Boleahi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cage tries to clinch but Al Boleahi is having none of it.
Cage fails in his attempt to clinch.

Al Boleahi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cage quickly recovers to half guard.
Al Boleahi with the ground and pound but Cage uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Cage working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Al Boleahi.
Cage lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet but Cage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage trying to stand up but can't free himself from Al Boleahi's guard.
Cage lands a couple of digs.
Cage wants to control from the top but Al Boleahi keeps moving.
Al Boleahi wants to stand up but Cage is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Boleahi keeping moving, preventing Cage from controlling successfully.
Cage throwing strikes from guard but Al Boleahi blocks nicely.
Al Boleahi wants to stand but Cage is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cage misses with a takedown attempt - Al Boleahi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Cage gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Al Boleahi to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Cage is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Al Boleahi wants a takedown.
Al Boleahi tries to score a body lock takedown but Cage shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cage gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Al Boleahi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cage is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Cage is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Al Boleahi can't fight it off and eventually Cage manages to take the fight to the floor. Al Boleahi looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Cage manages to pass to side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Al Boleahi is trying to stand back up but Cage is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage is trying to control. Al Boleahi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cage stops Al Boleahi from getting back to his feet.
Al Boleahi scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Cage manages to mount him!
Al Boleahi wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Al Boleahi is trying to stand but he's just given Cage his back.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Cage looking for the choke but no joy.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Cage gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Cage gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Cage apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Cage fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Al Boleahi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Cage has his feet on Al Boleahi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Cage is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Boleahi shoots in for a takedown but Cage shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Boleahi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cage pinned against the cage. Cage gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Al Boleahi slaps away a takedown attempt from Cage, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connar Cage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Al Boleahi with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cage counters by moving into the clinch.
Cage gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Al Boleahi.

Cage breaks the clinch.
Cage is looking to clinch but Al Boleahi is avoiding it.

Cage darts in and clinches Al Boleahi up against the cage.
Al Boleahi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Al Boleahi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Al Boleahi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cage after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cage drags the fight down to the ground.
Cage working a defensive guard here.

Cage has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Al Boleahi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cage is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Al Boleahi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Al Boleahi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Al Boleahi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cage works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cage utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Al Boleahi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Al Boleahi trying to move into half guard but instead Cage has managed to sweep!

Cage engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet but Cage passes into half guard.
Al Boleahi taking some punishment here, with Cage in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage stops Al Boleahi from getting back to his feet.
Al Boleahi pushes Cage off but Cage dives into side control.
Al Boleahi is pushing Cage's head away, looking to escape. Cage manages to hold on to the position though.
Cage is looking to take a break and control but Al Boleahi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Al Boleahi is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Cage is controlling him well.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet but Cage is dominant here and he's now got Al Boleahi's back!
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cage tries to get the hooks in deep but Al Boleahi pushed the leg off.
Cage scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Al Boleahi is looking for a way out.
Connar Cage has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi trying to get back to his feet but Cage is in full control for now.
Cage wants to control but Al Boleahi is keeping busy.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cage throwing damaging strikes from the back! Al Boleahi could be in trouble here!
Cage has good solid back control here.

Cage is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Al Boleahi is defending well though. Cage let's go of the attempt for now.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage wants to control but Al Boleahi is keeping busy.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Al Boleahi prevents Cage from getting a body triangle.
Al Boleahi trying to get back to his feet but Cage is in full control for now.
Cage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Al Boleahi is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Cage gets his way!

Cage working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cage is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Al Boleahi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Al Boleahi for a finish.
Al Boleahi prevents Cage from getting a body triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connar Cage really dominated that round.
That's time! Al Boleahi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Al Boleahi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Cage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Al Boleahi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cage gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cage is looking to control Al Boleahi's arms but Al Boleahi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Cage has his back to the cage.

Al Boleahi turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Cage takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Al Boleahi landing strikes.
Cage parries the strikes from Al Boleahi easily there. Al Boleahi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cage to escape.
Cage is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Cage sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Cage is trying to maintain the position but Al Boleahi is very close to passing his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Al Boleahi connects with a nice short shot to Cage's temple.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cage trying to control here.
Al Boleahi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Al Boleahi lands a nice short elbow.
Cage works his way to full guard. Good work.
Al Boleahi throws a strike but Cage rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cage passes into half guard.
Al Boleahi tries to kick Cage off in order to stand up. Cage Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Al Boleahi is trying to buck Cage off.
Al Boleahi 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.
Al Boleahi is trying to stand back up.
Cage punches Al Boleahi on the ear.
Cage is landing with strikes from the back.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cage is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Al Boleahi up.
Al Boleahi grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Cage tries to get the hooks in deep but Al Boleahi pushed the leg off.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cage is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Al Boleahi has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Cage tries to keep control of the position but Al Boleahi is staying busy.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet.
Cage lands strikes to the head.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage trying to control.
Al Boleahi trying to get back to his feet but Cage is in full control for now.
Cage looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but Cage has full control of the position and if anything, Al Boleahi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cage wants to control but Al Boleahi is keeping busy.
Al Boleahi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connar Cage dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cage throws a head kick that half lands.
Cage is looking to clinch but Al Boleahi is avoiding it.
Omar Al Boleahi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cage throws a wild body kick that Al Boleahi sees coming a mile off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cage is defended easily by Al Boleahi.
Al Boleahi dives in and grabs Cage's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cage pushes down on Al Boleahi's head and hops out.

Al Boleahi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cage did well to prevent Al Boleahi getting side control.
Al Boleahi misses with a head shot. Cage uses the momentum to regain guard.
Cage is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cage stops Al Boleahi from getting back to his feet.
Cage is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cage is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Boleahi wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Cage putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Al Boleahi squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Cage breaks from Al Boleahi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Al Boleahi wants to get back to his feet.
Cage trying to control but Al Boleahi is having none of it.

Cage is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Al Boleahi to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Al Boleahi shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Boleahi is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Al Boleahi tries to buck Cage off but Cage takes his back!

Cage has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Al Boleahi trying to get back to his feet but Cage is in full control for now.

Cage has managed to slip his arm under Al Boleahi's chin. This could be all over... yep, Al Boleahi is tapping out! Submission win for Cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Connar Cage!
Connar Cage is the new lightweight champion!