PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rahim Shabazz (ranked 931 p4p, 1076 weight class) and Simon Gustafsson (ranked 140 p4p, 166 weight class). Simon Gustafsson will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Shabazz
vs
Gustafsson

187 cm
27
224
16 - 5 - 0

200 cm
31
213
17 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Brooklyn Apothecary

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

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 - 5 - 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 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Gustafsson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shabazz misses with an uppercut.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gustafsson staying out of range there.
Shabazz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustafsson manages to avoid it.
Gustafsson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Shabazz misses with a wild body shot.
Shabazz throws a big shot that misses.
Shabazz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big left from Shabazz misses.
Shabazz misses with a lunging right hand

and Gustafsson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gustafsson.
Shabazz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson throwing strikes from guard but Shabazz blocks nicely.
Gustafsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shabazz is keeping the position for now.
Shabazz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz wants to sweep here but Gustafsson controlling him for the moment.
Shabazz working a defensive guard here.
Shabazz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gustafsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gustafsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shabazz controlling Gustafsson's posture.
Gustafsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shabazz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gustafsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gustafsson throws a big right hand that misses.
Shabazz controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Shabazz is pulling down on Gustafsson's head. It's preventing any offense from Gustafsson, at least for the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gustafsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gustafsson throws an elbow that misses. Shabazz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gustafsson's guard. Nice move by Shabazz!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shabazz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gustafsson looking for a guillotine here but Shabazz defends easily.

Gustafsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shabazz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shabazz tries to stand but Gustafsson is controlling from the bottom.
Shabazz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Gustafsson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shabazz defends well.
Gustafsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustafsson, not yet.
We've been hearing good reports from Shabazz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gustafsson keeping moving, preventing Shabazz from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at London MMA Club inform us that Gustafsson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Shabazz wants to pass the guard but Gustafsson is keeping the position.

Gustafsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shabazz advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gustafsson gets back to full guard.
Shabazz is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gustafsson keeping moving, preventing Shabazz from controlling successfully.

Gustafsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shabazz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Gustafsson is looking for a triangle but Shabazz pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shabazz is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Gustafsson has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Shabazz is looking to defend but Gustafsson has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Shabazz! Gustafsson pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Shabazz taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Simon Gustafsson!