PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maurice Rollo (ranked 4284 p4p, 5732 weight class) and Basil Shabazz (ranked 502 p4p, 562 weight class). Rollo comes to the cage accompanied by Brass Monkey. Basil Shabazz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rollo
vs
Shabazz

185 cm
19
245
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
275
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maurice Rollo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Basil Shabazz!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shabazz lands with a right hand.
A nice combination there by Shabazz.

Rollo forces Shabazz back against the cage and clinches.
Rollo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shabazz prevents it.
Shabazz struggles to land a body shot inside as Rollo controls his hands.

Rollo jumps guard and drags Shabazz to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Rollo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shabazz defends well.

Rollo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shabazz is aware though and is defending well.
Shabazz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rollo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shabazz.
Rollo has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Rollo looking to control.
Shabazz missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rollo working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz trying to control but Rollo is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rollo is on top in guard.

Rollo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shabazz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rollo drops back looking for a leg! Shabazz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shabazz manages to kick Rollo off! Rollo jumps back into Shabazz's guard.
Rollo pushing down on Shabazz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rollo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Shabazz is looking for a sweep. Rollo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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

Rollo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shabazz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rollo.
Rollo trying to control the pace.
Shabazz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rollo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rollo is keen to just control but Shabazz is a slippery customer.
Shabazz wants to improve his position but Rollo is controlling well.

Rollo is working for a submission of some sort.
Rollo slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz wants to get back to his feet.

Rollo has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Shabazz defend it? Rollo steps over the head and cranks it - Shabazz is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Rollo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Maurice Rollo!
Maurice Rollo decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.