PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rahim Shabazz (ranked 172 p4p, 240 weight class) and Johnny Lydon (ranked 31 p4p, 40 weight class). Lydon has chosen Queen - Don't Stop Me Now as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Shabazz
vs
Lydon

187 cm
26
224
16 - 2 - 0

183 cm
33
207
19 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Brooklyn Apothecary

HELLBENT
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 16 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rahim Shabazz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Lydon!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Shabazz misses
and Lydon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shabazz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lydon connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shabazz scrambles back to his feet.
Lydon lands with a good body shot.
Shabazz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shabazz staying out of range there.
Shabazz blocks a head kick by Lydon.
Shabazz fakes the leg kick and cracks Lydon in the body.
Lydon throws a looping overhand right but Shabazz ducks down to avoid it.
Shabazz delivers a nice body kick.
Shabazz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lydon needs to keep his hands up - Shabazz had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Johnny Lydon has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shabazz lands a nice shot that snaps Lydon's head back.
Shabazz dips to his left and cracks Lydon with an uppercut!
Shabazz throws out a leg kick but Lydon moves out of range and Shabazz only half commits.
Lydon misses with a body kick.
We've been hearing reports that Shabazz has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Lydon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shabazz tries a head kick but it misses.

Shabazz lands a high kick to the side of Lydon's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Shabazz dives into guard, looking to finish.

Lydon is rocked!
Lydon 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.
Lydon is still in real trouble! Can Shabazz finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lydon has Shabazz pulled in close to control his posture.
Shabazz keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lydon's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shabazz drops back looking for a leg! Lydon is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lydon manages to kick Shabazz off! Shabazz jumps back into Lydon's guard.
Lydon seems to have recovered his senses.
Shabazz trying to control but Lydon is working from the bottom.
Shabazz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Shabazz has gone for a leg lock! Lydon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shabazz's guard.

Lydon preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lydon stands up and waves to Shabazz to follow him.
Shabazz throws a body shot but no joy.
Lydon lands a high kick!
Lydon checks a low kick from Shabazz.
Lydon checks the leg kick.
Shabazz slips a straight right by Lydon.
Shabazz jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Shabazz throws a poor cross that misses
and Lydon counters with a nice leg kick.
Shabazz looks to score with a jab to the body but Lydon is just out of range.
Lydon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Shabazz throws a head kick that misses
letting Lydon counter with a right hand.
Shabazz doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Lydon counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lydon blocks a head kick by Shabazz.
Nice shot by Shabazz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lydon fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Shabazz on the side of the head.
Lydon scores with a hook.
Shabazz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shabazz throws a sloppy head kick and Lydon moves out of range easily.
Shabazz fails with the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lydon! But no joy.
That kick from Lydon tenderised Shabazz's leg. Shabazz is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lydon punishes Shabazz's body with a nice straight punch.
Lydon checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Lydon scores with a punch to the head.
Lydon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shabazz under the eye.
Lydon lands a jab to the nose.
Shabazz lands with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lydon lands with a good body shot.
Lydon blocks a head kick by Shabazz.
Lydon cracks Shabazz with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Shabazz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shabazz takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lydon listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Shabazz is rocked!
Lydon cracks Shabazz with a hook to the temple - Shabazz is on wobbly legs here! Lydon swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Shabazz falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Lydon wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Johnny Lydon!
In his post fight interview, Johnny Lydon gave a big smile as he said 'and thanks for sparring partners at the Hell Warriors Gym!'.