PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sami Assasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ North (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Assasi
vs
North

186 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

MMA's Best Nutrition The PIT INC
[JMFC] Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sami Assasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, BJ North!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
North fails to land the takedown.
North shoots in and drives through. Assasi sprawls well.
North checks a low kick from Assasi.
Assasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
North shoots in looking for a takedown. Assasi tries to sprawl out of it but North keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Assasi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sami Assasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ North.
Assasi throws a body punch but North moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Assasi just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assasi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but North manages to avoid it.
Assasi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Assasi is looking to wear down North with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
North throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Assasi's waist but Assasi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing North off to one side.
North tries for a takedown but Assasi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Assasi gets the takedown into side control.

Assasi stands up and beckons North to his feet.
North tries for a takedown but Assasi circles away easily

and Assasi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for North!
Assasi breaks from North's wrist control and lands an elbow.
North is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assasi controlling from the full mount.
Assasi throwing strikes here but North is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Assasi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now North is on top in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Assasi is looking for a triangle but North pushes his legs off easily.
North trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assasi keeping moving, preventing North from controlling successfully.

Assasi has an active guard here but North has managed to pass into half guard.
North trying to control from half guard but Assasi is working away.
Assasi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Assasi.
Assasi looking to hit a scissor sweep but North is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Assasi is on top in guard.
North tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Assasi content to stall in guard here.
North keeping full guard, as Assasi tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Assasi dominated that round.
That's time! Assasi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

North has his takedown stuffed
and Assasi counters with a nice body shot.
A swing and a miss from North.
North misses with a takedown

and Assasi counters with a single leg into guard. North didn't expect that.
Assasi sitting in guard here, content to control.
North is trying to keep Assasi in close.
North working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Assasi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assasi cracks North with a solid left hand.
Assasi trying to control but North is working from the bottom.
Assasi sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Assasi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but North manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Assasi has North in his guard.
North sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Assasi is on top in guard.
Assasi trying to control the position from guard on top but North is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Assasi wants to pass the guard but North is keeping the position.
Assasi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

North looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
North is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assasi trying to control but North is working from the bottom.
Assasi looking to pass the guard.
Assasi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Assasi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
North fails with the takedown

and Assasi counters with a single leg into guard. North didn't expect that.
Sami Assasi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ North.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assasi trying to control but North is working from the bottom.
North working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Assasi.
Assasi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Assasi wants to pass the guard but North is keeping the position.
North is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Assasi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Assasi misses the jab.
North has his takedown stuffed

and Assasi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Assasi wants to control from the top but North keeps moving.
Assasi looking to pass the guard.

North is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
North takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Assasi postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
North keeping moving, preventing Assasi from controlling successfully.
Assasi looking to pass the guard.
Assasi sitting in guard, not really doing much.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
North shoots and misses

and Assasi counters with a shoot takedown. North fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assasi trying to control the position from guard on top but North is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Assasi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Assasi has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Assasi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assasi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Assasi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and North dives on top into guard.
Assasi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
North pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Assasi is keeping the position for now.
Assasi looking for a sweep. Not yet Assasi, not yet.
North trying to control but Assasi is working from the bottom.
Assasi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Assasi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in North's guard.

North working for a triangle but Assasi defends it easily.
BJ North has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Assasi stands up over North, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
North keeping moving, preventing Assasi from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Assasi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Assasi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Assasi!