PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Irrawaddy (ranked 444 p4p, 896 weight class) and Rahim Shabazz (ranked 8 p4p, 21 weight class). Irrawaddy comes into the arena with Laos Rules! blaring out of the sound system. 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?

Irrawaddy
vs
Shabazz

173 cm
32
155
23 - 16 - 0

187 cm
30
224
21 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Vegan Gains
Groove Gear

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Irrawaddy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rahim Shabazz!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shabazz takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice body punch from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Irrawaddy lands with an overhand left.
Irrawaddy scores with a body shot.
Irrawaddy with a jab.
Irrawaddy lands with a good body shot.
The fighters circling - Irrawaddy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Shabazz responds with a good body kick, but Irrawaddy manages to step out the way in time.
Irrawaddy scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Shabazz feints and as Irrawaddy raises his hands in defense, Shabazz changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shabazz's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Irrawaddy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shabazz throwing strikes but missing.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Shabazz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shabazz wants to control from the top but Irrawaddy keeps moving.
Irrawaddy controls Shabazz momentarily but Shabazz frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irrawaddy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shabazz.
Shabazz wants to control from the top but Irrawaddy keeps moving.
Shabazz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Irrawaddy is trying to keep Shabazz in close.
Shabazz preventing the sweep.
Shabazz looking to pass the guard.
Shabazz stopping the sweep attempt from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy is working hard here to advance position.
Shabazz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shabazz working some strikes from top position.
Shabazz loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shabazz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Irrawaddy's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Irrawaddy is not content to let Shabazz control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irrawaddy is trying is best to control the position here.

Shabazz seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Irrawaddy tries to roll over but Shabazz keeps him under control.
Shabazz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Shabazz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Shabazz frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Irrawaddy is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Irrawaddy sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Irrawaddy is pressing down on Shabazz's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Irrawaddy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shabazz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Irrawaddy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Irrawaddy preventing the sweep.
Our spies down at at Desert Fitness & Training (14 Elite Coaches) inform us that Shabazz has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Shabazz keeping moving, preventing Irrawaddy from controlling successfully.
Irrawaddy stopping the sweep attempt from Shabazz.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Irrawaddy's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Irrawaddy works over Shabazz with some ground and pound from guard.
Irrawaddy stopping the sweep attempt from Shabazz.
Irrawaddy scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Irrawaddy postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irrawaddy trying to control but Shabazz is working from the bottom.

Shabazz is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Irrawaddy is aware though and is defending well.
Irrawaddy with a nice head shot there.
Shabazz keeping moving, preventing Irrawaddy from controlling successfully.
Irrawaddy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Irrawaddy with a nice head shot there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shabazz is on top in guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shabazz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shabazz is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Irrawaddy has Shabazz pulled in close to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ken Irrawaddy will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Irrawaddy throws a big shot that misses.
Good exchange - Irrawaddy coming out on top.
Shabazz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Irrawaddy defending well as Shabazz loads up on a big left hand.
Shabazz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shabazz.
Shabazz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Shabazz looking to score a takedown here. Irrawaddy is defending well but Shabazz drives through and ends up in Irrawaddy's guard.
Irrawaddy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Irrawaddy might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Irrawaddy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shabazz tries to free his leg and advance position but Irrawaddy is retaining full guard.
Irrawaddy with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Shabazz can't handle though.
Irrawaddy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Irrawaddy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shabazz wants to pass the guard but Irrawaddy is keeping the position.
Shabazz trying to control but Irrawaddy is working from the bottom.
Shabazz wants to pass the guard but Irrawaddy is keeping the position.
Irrawaddy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shabazz.
Irrawaddy wants to sweep but no luck.
Shabazz working some strikes from top position.
Shabazz stopping the sweep attempt from Irrawaddy.
Shabazz controlling from the top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Irrawaddy is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shabazz is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Irrawaddy frees his head nicely. Oh but Shabazz has switched to an armbar! Irrawaddy is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Rahim Shabazz!
Rahim Shabazz gave a mention to Brooklyn Apothecary in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).