PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tappy Rebel (ranked 3756 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kamal Sampsonite (ranked 5534 p4p, 0 weight class). Kamal Sampsonite is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Rebel
vs
Sampsonite

175 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tappy Rebel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kamal Sampsonite!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rebel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sampsonite looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sampsonite is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rebel's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rebel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Sampsonite keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
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. Rebel connects with a nice short shot to Sampsonite's temple.
Rebel lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sampsonite tries to roll over but Rebel keeps him under control.
Sampsonite is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sampsonite keeps trying to improve his position.
Sampsonite has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rebel is working away from the top position though.
Sampsonite slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rebel throwing strikes but missing.
Rebel trying to control but Sampsonite is working from the bottom.
Sampsonite controls Rebel momentarily but Rebel frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rebel lands a couple of digs.
Rebel trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sampsonite manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rebel is pulling down on Sampsonite's head to control his posture.
Sampsonite trying to control the position from guard on top but Rebel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rebel trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rebel wants to sweep here but Sampsonite controlling him for the moment.
Sampsonite trying to control the position from guard on top but Rebel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampsonite postures up in Rebel's guard and throws a big left but Rebel blocks it.
Rebel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Rebel has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rebel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sampsonite on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rebel gets underhooks to prevent Sampsonite's takedown attempt.

Rebel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rebel throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sampsonite tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rebel is in Sampsonite's guard.
Sampsonite manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rebel manages to get himself to full guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sampsonite accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Sampsonite gets to his feet. Rebel looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Sampsonite takes the fight into the clinch.
Sampsonite jumps guard but Rebel turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rebel is looking for a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sampsonite trying to land knees to the body.
Sampsonite is working for takedown but Rebel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tappy Rebel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kamal Sampsonite.
Sampsonite gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rebel.
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 Tappy Rebel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rebel fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sampsonite to the ground. Rebel is now in Sampsonite's guard.

Sampsonite looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rebel throws an elbow that misses. Sampsonite uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rebel's guard. Nice move by Sampsonite!

Sampsonite stopping the sweep attempt from Rebel.
Sampsonite wants to control from the top but Rebel keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sampsonite working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tappy Rebel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sampsonite prevents Rebel from getting back to his feet.
Sampsonite throwing strikes from guard but Rebel blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampsonite tries to stand but Rebel is controlling from the bottom.
Rebel wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Sampsonite controlling from the top position.
Rebel has his hands on Sampsonite's head, controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sampsonite passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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.
Rebel is looking for a sweep.
Sampsonite controlling from side mount.
Rebel on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rebel tries to get out of the position.
Rebel is looking to regain half guard here but Sampsonite keeps moving and retains side control.

Sampsonite decides to stand back up. Sampsonite steps back and let's Rebel get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rebel scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rebel working the head and body with strikes.
Sampsonite is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rebel off and has taken his back!
Rebel trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Sampsonite controlling well, preventing Rebel from escaping the position.

Rebel preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sampsonite.
Rebel can't escape the position.

Sampsonite looking to break Rebel's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Rebel remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Sampsonite will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sampsonite working for a choke but Rebel is defending well.
Sampsonite is breathing heavily.
Rebel trying to control the hands but Sampsonite won't let him.
Rebel is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rebel tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamal Sampsonite showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sampsonite fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Rebel shoots in and gets a takedown into Sampsonite's guard.
Rebel lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sampsonite is trying to control the position but Rebel postures up.
Rebel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rebel landing with the ground and pound.
Rebel with a nice head shot there.
Rebel looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rebel trying to control but Sampsonite is working from the bottom.

Sampsonite is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rebel defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rebel working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sampsonite takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sampsonite escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rebel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rebel postures up and lands a big shot to Sampsonite's brow.
Rebel cracks Sampsonite with a solid left hand.
Rebel cracks Sampsonite with a solid left hand.
Rebel is working Sampsonite over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rebel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampsonite is keeping the position for now.
Sampsonite has momentary wrist control but Rebel slips an elbow through the middle.

Sampsonite is rocked!
Rebel scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sampsonite is still in real trouble! Can Rebel finish him?
Rebel trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampsonite is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sampsonite wants to get back to his feet but Rebel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rebel postures up and lands a big shot to Sampsonite's brow.
Sampsonite trying to control the position.
Rebel chips away with some ground and pound.
Rebel works over Sampsonite with some ground and pound from guard.
Rebel arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Sampsonite's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Tappy Rebel!