|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Malik El Shabazz (ranked 284 p4p, 246 weight class) and Cesare Borgia (ranked 43 p4p, 36 weight class). Borgia has chosen Eye Of The Tiger as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
 |
|
 |
| 185 cm
29
183
17 - 7 - 0 |
|
175 cm
26
178
13 - 3 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
|
Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Malik El Shabazz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cesare Borgia!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Borgia fails to land with a series of punches.
El Shabazz is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
El Shabazz connects with a body shot.
Borgia ducks right into an uppercut from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz throws a jab when Borgia was well out of range.
El Shabazz swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz defending well as Borgia loads up on a big left hand.
El Shabazz looks to score with a jab to the body but Borgia is just out of range.
Borgia closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Borgia lands in his opponent's guard.
El Shabazz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borgia trying to control the position from guard on top but El Shabazz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Borgia in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia throws a big right hand that misses.
Borgia throws an elbow that misses. El Shabazz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Borgia's guard. Nice move by El Shabazz!
Borgia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Borgia wants to hit a sweep here but El Shabazz passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Borgia there!
El Shabazz content just to control the position here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgia wants to hold on but El Shabazz pushes him away.
Borgia is trying to escape the mount.
Borgia is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Borgia holds of for dear life.
Borgia is working to get back to half guard.
Borgia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Borgia is trying to escape the mount.
Borgia is still trying to improve position.
Borgia keeps trying to improve his position.
Borgia is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Borgia is trying to escape the mount.
Borgia tries to lock up and control but El Shabazz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Borgia is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Borgia tries to hold on but El Shabazz postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
El Shabazz misses with a right hand
and Borgia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Shabazz looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice shot by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz scores with a nice right hand.
El Shabazz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Borgia moves forwards but El Shabazz connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Borgia moves out of range of the strikes.
Borgia goes for a double leg but El Shabazz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as El Shabazz continues to drive forward.
El Shabazz scores with the left hand. Borgia knows he should have avoided that one.
A big left from Borgia misses.
El Shabazz moves into the clinch.
Borgia is looking to take this one to the mat.
El Shabazz with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
El Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
El Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Borgia avoids the damage to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Borgia is blocking nicely.
Borgia is trying to work for a single leg takedown but El Shabazz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Malik El Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesare Borgia.
El Shabazz connects with a knee to the head.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Borgia blocks it.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Borgia blocks it.
El Shabazz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
El Shabazz tries to throw a body punch but Borgia avoids it by throwing El Shabazz back against the cage.
Borgia wants a takedown but no success here.
Borgia jumps guard and drags El Shabazz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Borgia is trying to control the position but El Shabazz postures up.
Malik El Shabazz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
El Shabazz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Borgia wants to sweep here but El Shabazz controlling him for the moment.
El Shabazz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Borgia is on top in guard.
Borgia wants to control from the top but El Shabazz keeps moving.
Borgia with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Borgia throws an elbow that misses. El Shabazz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Borgia's guard. Nice move by El Shabazz!
El Shabazz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
El Shabazz looking to pass the guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz is working hard here to advance position.
El Shabazz won't allow Borgia to sweep him here.
Borgia wants to control but El Shabazz passes easily into half guard.
Borgia tries to get to full guard but El Shabazz has control of the leg.
El Shabazz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Borgia can do to turn this around?
Borgia gets full guard.
El Shabazz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
El Shabazz wants to control from the top but Borgia keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Borgia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
El Shabazz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
El Shabazz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borgia ducks under a wild hook from El Shabazz.
Borgia slips under a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz dominated that second round.
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.
Borgia doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
El Shabazz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Borgia was well out of range. Poor timing from El Shabazz.
A nice side step and Borgia releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
El Shabazz doesn't manage to clinch there - Borgia circles away.
El Shabazz ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Borgia moves away.
Borgia with the counter takedown but El Shabazz avoids it easily.
El Shabazz misses with a looping left.
El Shabazz loads up on a big right hand but Borgia slips the punch.
Borgia doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A decent looking cross lands there for El Shabazz.
El Shabazz lands with a good body shot.
Borgia moves out of range of the strikes.
Borgia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Malik El Shabazz is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz swings for the body but Borgia moves out of range.
El Shabazz throws a hook but Borgia blocks it.
El Shabazz throws a poor cross that misses
and Borgia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
El Shabazz cracks a nice hook into Borgia's ribs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz scores with a hook.
Borgia displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as El Shabazz throws out the jab.
El Shabazz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
El Shabazz misses with a straight left.
El Shabazz misses with a wild combination.
Borgia doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
El Shabazz scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
El Shabazz throws out a leg kick but Borgia moves out of range and El Shabazz only half commits.
Borgia ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Borgia scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
El Shabazz takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Borgia throws a hook but El Shabazz blocks it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borgia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Borgia avoids the body shot from El Shabazz.
Borgia takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Borgia tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but El Shabazz defends well and Borgia ends up having to push El Shabazz into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Malik El Shabazz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Borgia takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
El Shabazz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Borgia is clearly trying to counter these attacks from El Shabazz with a body shot.
Borgia checks a leg kick.
El Shabazz scores with a nice right hand.
El Shabazz scores with a nice right hand.
El Shabazz tries to clinch but Borgia moves out of range.
Borgia throws a combination. El Shabazz tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
El Shabazz throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Borgia stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
El Shabazz misses with a body shot.
Borgia swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz misses the jab.
A good leg kick by El Shabazz.
Borgia slips a straight right by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz scores with a nice head shot.
El Shabazz throws an off balance right hand
so Borgia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Borgia with a flurry of punches that miss.
El Shabazz keeping full guard, as Borgia tries to pass.
Borgia works over El Shabazz with some ground and pound from guard.
Borgia scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Borgia wants to control from the top but El Shabazz keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Borgia accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Borgia lands a couple of digs.
Borgia throws a big right hand that misses.
Borgia throwing strikes from guard but El Shabazz blocks nicely.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Borgia working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Borgia lands a couple of elbows.
Borgia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Borgia postures up in El Shabazz's guard and throws a big left but El Shabazz blocks it.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
El Shabazz misses with a right hand
and Borgia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Shabazz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Borgia throws a big shot that misses.
A cross from El Shabazz lands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
El Shabazz takes a swing at Borgia's ribcage but misses.
El Shabazz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
El Shabazz takes one to the side of the head.
Borgia might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Borgia slips under a jab.
El Shabazz is looking to slow Borgia down with leg kicks.
El Shabazz misses the shot to the body.
El Shabazz misses the shot to the body.
And Borgia tries to counter it with a takedown but El Shabazz pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Borgia fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
El Shabazz is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A nice leg kick from El Shabazz, right into the meat of the thigh.
El Shabazz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a sloppy body shot
and Borgia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Shabazz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Borgia lands with a straight right. El Shabazz didn't see that one coming.
El Shabazz misses with a double jab
enabling Borgia to counter with a crisp jab.
Borgia lands with a shot to the body.
Borgia takes a jab right on the kisser.
El Shabazz throws a looping overhand right but Borgia ducks down to avoid it.
El Shabazz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
El Shabazz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Borgia has time to react.
Good leg kick by El Shabazz.
A swing and a miss from El Shabazz.
A jab from El Shabazz misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from El Shabazz misses the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Borgia doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
El Shabazz attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
El Shabazz throws a predictable looking body shot
and Borgia counters with a nice uppercut.
El Shabazz throws a shot from downtown. Borgia moves away and avoids it.
El Shabazz thows a left - swing and a miss!
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Borgia! But no joy.
Malik El Shabazz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
El Shabazz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
El Shabazz connects with a looping right hand.
El Shabazz misses with a wild body shot.
Borgia stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from El Shabazz.
Borgia showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from El Shabazz.
Borgia throws a body shot but no joy.
El Shabazz was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a lazy right hand but Borgia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Borgia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
El Shabazz throws a shot from downtown. Borgia moves away and avoids it.
Despite the aggression on Borgia's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The fighters circling - El Shabazz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Borgia throws a looping overhand right but El Shabazz ducks down to avoid it.
El Shabazz is looking to counter punch.
Borgia throws out a loose jab but El Shabazz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Borgia's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
El Shabazz fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
El Shabazz scores with a nice head shot.
El Shabazz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Borgia looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
El Shabazz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Borgia.
El Shabazz throws a hook to the side of Borgia's head but Borgia sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
El Shabazz wants to clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz takes a swing at Borgia's ribcage but misses.
Borgia misses with a hook.
Borgia looks to throw the jab but El Shabazz is out of range.
Borgia ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
El Shabazz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Borgia.
Borgia looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Borgia lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
El Shabazz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
El Shabazz throws a body punch but Borgia moves out of range.
El Shabazz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
El Shabazz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This has been an exciting period of action!
El Shabazz looks to score with a jab to the body but Borgia is just out of range.
Borgia is clearly trying to counter these attacks from El Shabazz with a body shot.
Borgia thuds his right hand into El Shabazz's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Borgia throws a jab when El Shabazz was well out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Malik El Shabazz had his way with Cesare Borgia in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
El Shabazz loads up on a big right hand but Borgia slips the punch.
El Shabazz misses with a lunging right hand
and Borgia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Borgia staying out of range there.
El Shabazz throws a jab but it's blocked by Borgia.
El Shabazz thuds a left hand into Borgia's body.
El Shabazz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Borgia circles away quickly and effectively.
El Shabazz misses with a low kick.
As El Shabazz backs off Borgia throws a huge counter combo but El Shabazz manages to avoid it all.
Borgia takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
El Shabazz takes a swing at Borgia's ribcage but misses.
Borgia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borgia jabs El Shabazz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
El Shabazz moves away from the strike by Borgia.
A nice leg kick from El Shabazz, right into the meat of the thigh.
Borgia takes one to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Borgia slips under a jab from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Borgia throws a series of punches but El Shabazz moves out of range.
El Shabazz throws a jab but it's blocked by Borgia.
El Shabazz lands with a hook. Borgia tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Borgia looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
El Shabazz lands with a thumping leg kick.
El Shabazz throws a jab when Borgia was well out of range.
Borgia appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Borgia moves out of range of the strikes.
El Shabazz with a jab.
El Shabazz misses the shot to the body.
El Shabazz connects with a single shot there.
Borgia looks to throw the jab but El Shabazz is out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz misses with a two punch combination.
El Shabazz throws a looping overhand right but Borgia ducks down to avoid it.
Borgia swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Borgia throws the left hand but El Shabazz avoids the punch easily.
El Shabazz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Borgia manages to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Borgia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by El Shabazz.
Borgia doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Borgia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by El Shabazz.
Borgia keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from El Shabazz.
Borgia steps to the side to avoid the strikes from El Shabazz.
Borgia slips a straight right by El Shabazz.
Borgia on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Borgia tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Borgia swings for the body but El Shabazz moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Borgia. El Shabazz does a little dance to reset his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Borgia.
El Shabazz misses with a hook
and Borgia counters with a single leg into guard. El Shabazz didn't expect that.
Borgia postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cesare Borgia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Borgia throwing strikes but missing.
El Shabazz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Borgia postures up in El Shabazz's guard and throws a big left but El Shabazz blocks it.
El Shabazz has Borgia pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Borgia is looking to work some ground and pound but El Shabazz has wrist control.
Borgia postures up in El Shabazz's guard and throws a big left but El Shabazz blocks it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz has momentary wrist control but Borgia slips an elbow through the middle.
Borgia throws an elbow that misses. El Shabazz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Borgia's guard. Nice move by El Shabazz!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
El Shabazz stays in close to Borgia's body and controls the position.
Borgia throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Borgia controls El Shabazz momentarily but El Shabazz frees himself.
Borgia trying to strike off his back.
Borgia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Malik El Shabazz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Borgia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. El Shabazz is aware though and is defending well.
Borgia throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
And that's the end of the fight!
Malik El Shabazz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for El Shabazz, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik El Shabazz!
Malik El Shabazz retains his welterweight title!
In his post fight interview, Malik El Shabazz started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
48% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
