PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilburn Moran (ranked 24365 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Gabag (ranked 4791 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Moran
vs
Gabag

177 cm
19
214 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wilburn Moran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Al Gabag!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gabag shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Moran is trying to defend but Gabag finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gabag is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Gabag really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Moran. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gabag stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Moran looks for a takedown but Gabag sprawls well.
Gabag is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Gabag misses with a kick to the body
and Moran counters with a two punch combo.
Al Gabag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabag swats away the attempt to clinch by Moran.

Gabag gets the takedown into side control.

Moran sneaks out the side door and pushes Gabag away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Moran gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gabag to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Moran wants to sweep here but Gabag controlling him for the moment.

Moran had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gabag defends it easily.

Gabag gets to his feet - Moran follows without any prompting.

Gabag moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moran is trying to pull guard but Gabag has him pressed against the cage.
Gabag throws a knee to the head but misses.

Gabag gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gabag is thwarting Moran's attempts to control the position.
Moran moves into full guard.
Moran throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Moran 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.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gabag has eaten all the pies!

Moran is working an open guard so Gabag takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabag fails with the takedown.

Moran gets tackled into the cage by Gabag. Gabag maintains the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Moran's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Moran decides to pull guard.
Gabag engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Moran has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gabag is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Moran.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gabag tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gabag has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gabag content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Moran taking a bit of punishment here - Gabag scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Al Gabag will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Moran stuffs the takedown.
Moran tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gabag is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gabag keeps the fight on the outside.
Moran throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Moran is looking to land body kicks.
Moran turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Gabag takes the fight into the clinch.
Gabag tries to work over Moran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gabag breaks the clinch.
Gabag avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabag misses with a double jab.
Gabag throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Gabag shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gabag showed some decent athleticism there.
Moran is trying to maintain the position but Gabag is very close to passing his half guard.
Gabag working Moran over with strikes.
Moran is trying to stand.
Gabag is thwarting Moran's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gabag stands up out of the half guard.
Gabag shoots in looking for a takedown. Moran tries to sprawl out of it but Gabag keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Moran manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Moran looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gabag tries to counter by closing the distance.

Gabag instigates a clinch.
Moran prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wilburn Moran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Gabag.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabag tries to pull guard but Moran forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gabag leaning against his opponent.
Moran wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Gabag breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Moran throws a wild body kick that Gabag sees coming a mile off.

Moran shoots in and bounces Gabag off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Al Gabag has got the better of the ground game so far.
Moran trying to control but Gabag is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabag looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moran is one step ahead there.
Gabag is breathing heavily.
Moran sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gabag is trying to control the position but Moran postures up.
Gabag keeping moving, preventing Moran from controlling successfully.

Gabag has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Moran can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Moran wants to control from the top but Gabag keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Gabag showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gabag shoots in looking for a takedown. Moran tries to sprawl out of it but Gabag keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Moran manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Moran is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gabag.
Moran slips a straight right by Gabag.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Gabag tightens his grip and picks Moran up, before dumping him to the ground. Moran manages to land in guard.

Moran is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Gabag presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gabag tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Moran avoids it.
Moran tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gabag jumps guard but Moran stands there with Gabag around his waist. Gabag gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moran tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Moran tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gabag smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilburn Moran. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabag shoots in for a takedown but Moran shows good takedown defense.
Moran seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Gabag takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gabag moves into the clinch.

Moran breaks the clinch.
Gabag closes this distance looking for a takedown but Moran circles away.
Moran seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Gabag has closed the distance and engaged Moran in a clinch.
Gabag struggles to land a body shot inside as Moran controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moran tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gabag just stands there and leans against the cage.

Moran breaks the clinch.
Moran fails in his attempt to clinch.
Moran throws the kick towards the body but Gabag avoids it.
Gabag shoots in for a takedown but Moran shows good takedown defense.
Moran is looking for a counter combo.
Moran shoots in and drives through. Gabag sprawls well.

Moran closes the distance and pushes Gabag back into the cage.
Gabag landing knees to the body.
Gabag is trying to pull guard but Moran has him pressed against the cage.

Moran jumps into guard, dragging Gabag to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabag trying to control but Moran is working from the bottom.
Gabag trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gabag must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Moran 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.

Gabag decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Moran tries to work over Gabag's front leg with a kick but Gabag checks it.

Gabag clinches up against the cage.

Gabag gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moran looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Gabag got a little sloppy there for a moment and Moran has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gabag has managed to get both his arms back between Moran's legs - danger averted.
Gabag connects with a couple of short punches.
Gabag pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Moran is keeping the position for now.
Gabag slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Moran.
Wilburn Moran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Al Gabag is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Gabag is trying to work for a kimura but Moran is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Al Gabag.
I've got Gabag winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Gabag!