PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eno Hlaalu (ranked 4496 p4p, 24166 weight class) and Anni Skystalker (ranked 419 p4p, 587 weight class). Hlaalu comes to the cage accompanied by Release the Panic. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hlaalu
vs
Skystalker

170 cm
22
145
4 - 5 - 0

165 cm
21
145
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eno Hlaalu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anni Skystalker!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Alexandre Firmino and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Hlaalu slips under a jab.
Hlaalu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Skystalker misses with a hook.
Hlaalu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A leg kick checked by Hlaalu.
Hlaalu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A low kick from Skystalker is predictable there

and Hlaalu counters with a shoot takedown. Skystalker fights it but they end up in guard.
Hlaalu is looking to work some ground and pound but Skystalker has wrist control.
Hlaalu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlaalu being controlled here momentarily.

Skystalker is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlaalu is looking to work some ground and pound but Skystalker has wrist control.
Skystalker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hlaalu is one step ahead there.
Skystalker trying to keep a closed guard but Hlaalu is proving a slippery customer.
Hlaalu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hlaalu throwing strikes from guard but Skystalker blocks nicely.
Hlaalu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Skystalker is looking to stand up but Hlaalu isn't so interested in that idea.
Hlaalu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hlaalu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Skystalker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hlaalu is one step ahead there.
Hlaalu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Skystalker wants to sweep here but Hlaalu controlling him for the moment.
Skystalker lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hlaalu trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hlaalu 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.
Hlaalu tries to strike from the bottom.
Hlaalu doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hlaalu trying to strike off his back.
Hlaalu keeping moving, preventing Skystalker from controlling successfully.
Hlaalu looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Skystalker puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Skystalker stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Hlaalu to get to his feet.
Hlaalu avoids the body shot from Skystalker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hlaalu feinted with a counter takedown.
We've been told by Hlaalu's head coaches at Triple XXX that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hlaalu takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Skystalker throws a body shot but no joy.
Hlaalu feinted with a counter takedown.
Skystalker throws an off balance right hand

and Hlaalu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Skystalker's guard.
Skystalker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hlaalu is controlling him.
Hlaalu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Skystalker looking for a sweep. Not yet Skystalker, not yet.
Hlaalu throwing strikes from guard but Skystalker blocks nicely.
Skystalker 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu throwing strikes from guard but Skystalker blocks nicely.
Hlaalu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hlaalu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hlaalu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Skystalker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hlaalu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skystalker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hlaalu throws an elbow that misses. Skystalker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hlaalu's guard. Nice move by Skystalker!

Hlaalu trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Skystalker decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hlaalu, up you get!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Skystalker moves into the clinch.
Hlaalu misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anni Skystalker will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Skystalker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hlaalu.
Hlaalu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Skystalker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Hlaalu gets tackled into the cage by Skystalker. Skystalker maintains the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Skystalker.
A shot in the inside from Hlaalu.
A hook to the body from Skystalker.
Skystalker misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Hlaalu.
Skystalker lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hlaalu backwards.
Skystalker tries to stall but Hlaalu uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hlaalu throws a head punch that misses.
Skystalker throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Skystalker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skystalker lands with a right to the head.
Skystalker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlaalu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Skystalker.
Skystalker swings wildly with an uppercut but Hlaalu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hlaalu lands an uppercut.
Skystalker blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hlaalu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Skystalker breaks the clinch.
Skystalker throws a looping overhand right but Hlaalu ducks down to avoid it.

Skystalker closes the distance and clinches.
Hlaalu blocks an uppercut.
Hlaalu scores with a shoulder strike.
Hlaalu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Skystalker scores with a hook to the body.
Skystalker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hlaalu backwards.
Hlaalu working aggressively here.
Anni Skystalker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu has a couple of punches blocked by Skystalker.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hlaalu misses with the head strike.
Hlaalu blocks a body shot from Skystalker.
Skystalker scores with a shoulder strike.
Hlaalu blocking some punches.
Skystalker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hlaalu.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hlaalu.
Hlaalu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skystalker leaning against his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skystalker.
Hlaalu swings wildly with an uppercut but Skystalker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hlaalu misses with some punches.
Skystalker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Skystalker lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skystalker.
Skystalker scores with a shot to the side of Hlaalu's head.
Hlaalu working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skystalker.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hlaalu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Skystalker blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Skystalker breaks from the clinch.
Hlaalu avoids the body shot from Skystalker.
Hlaalu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Skystalker's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hlaalu under the eye.
Skystalker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hlaalu was well out of range. Poor timing from Skystalker.
Skystalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hlaalu moves away.
Hlaalu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skystalker. Hlaalu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skystalker throws a looping overhand right but Hlaalu ducks down to avoid it.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Skystalker.
Hlaalu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Skystalker looks to throw the jab but Hlaalu is out of range.
Hlaalu attempts a counter takedown but Skystalker avoids it well and moves away.
Anni Skystalker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Skystalker scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hlaalu doesn't seem bothered though.
Skystalker throws a leg kick

and Hlaalu counters with a single leg into guard. Skystalker didn't expect that.
Hlaalu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hlaalu postures up in Skystalker's guard and throws a big left but Skystalker blocks it.
Skystalker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hlaalu throws an elbow that misses. Skystalker uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hlaalu's guard. Nice move by Skystalker!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hlaalu is working an open guard so Skystalker takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anni Skystalker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Skystalker pushes Hlaalu away with a front kick.
Skystalker has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hlaalu is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Anni Skystalker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Skystalker throws an overhand right that lands on Hlaalu's shoulder, as Hlaalu tries to avoid the shot.
Hlaalu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Skystalker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hlaalu manages to avoid it.
Skystalker misses with a body shot

and Hlaalu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlaalu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hlaalu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hlaalu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hlaalu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skystalker defending well though.
Hlaalu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skystalker defending well though.
Hlaalu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skystalker is trying to stand.
Skystalker is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hlaalu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Eno Hlaalu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hlaalu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hlaalu throwing shots but Skystalker is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skystalker is looking to escape.
Hlaalu thows a huge punch but Skystalker dodges it nicely.
Hlaalu throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Skystalker to regain full guard.
Hlaalu stops Skystalker from standing up.
Skystalker 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.
Hlaalu throws a strike but Skystalker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Skystalker passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Hlaalu misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Skystalker decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skystalker.
Skystalker connects with the punch.
Skystalker pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hlaalu appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hlaalu blocks an uppercut.
Skystalker lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Skystalker is working Hlaalu over against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skystalker blocking some punches.
Hlaalu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Skystalker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Skystalker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Skystalker breaks from the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Skystalker.
A low kick from Skystalker misses

and Hlaalu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Skystalker is looking to escape.
Hlaalu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Skystalker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hlaalu.
Skystalker is trying to get back to full guard.
Hlaalu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hlaalu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Skystalker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hlaalu not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlaalu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Skystalker pushes Hlaalu off looking to stand but Hlaalu dives back in and keeps control.
Skystalker is holding on to half guard well.
Hlaalu throws a strike but Skystalker avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Skystalker seems keen to control Hlaalu's posture.
Hlaalu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Anni Skystalker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hlaalu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hlaalu preventing the sweep.
Skystalker working a defensive guard here.
Hlaalu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skystalker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Skystalker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hlaalu is controlling him.
Hlaalu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skystalker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anni Skystalker.
I've got Skystalker 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anni Skystalker!