PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charles Bukowski (ranked 1430 p4p, 1428 weight class) and Hendrix Cabrera (ranked 211 p4p, 210 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bukowski
vs
Cabrera

183 cm
26
191
11 - 10 - 0

185 cm
25
185
9 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Voodoo Nutrition

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Bukowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hendrix Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Columbo Gatti and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cabrera fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cabrera dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bukowski throws a series of punches but Cabrera avoids them all with ease.
Cabrera lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bukowski's sensitive parts.
Bukowski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bukowski moves out of range of the strikes.
Cabrera throws a looping overhand right but Bukowski ducks down to avoid it.
We've been told by Bukowski's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bukowski avoids the body shot from Cabrera.
Bukowski misses with a body punch

and Cabrera counters by moving into the clinch.
Cabrera scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bukowski has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cabrera after a bit of a struggle.

Cabrera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cabrera scoring well with a low kick there.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bukowski connects with a body shot that sends Cabrera's belly button to the back.
Cabrera scores with a hook to the body. Bukowski takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cabrera connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cabrera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cabrera misses with a hook. Bukowski ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bukowski or perhaps it was just good defense by Cabrera, which made it look bad.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cabrera.
Cabrera uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cabrera as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bukowski dives in for a single leg takedown but Cabrera sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bukowski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cabrera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukowski's elbow.
Bukowski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cabrera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bukowski misses with some punches.

Cabrera manages to break the clinch.
Bukowski slips a jab from Cabrera.
Bukowski ducks right into an uppercut from Cabrera.
Cabrera tests Bukowski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cabrera throws the left hand but Bukowski avoids the punch easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Cabrera does a little dance to reset his feet.

Cabrera gets caught flat footed, as Bukowski shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bukowski is in close to Cabrera's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bukowski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cabrera wants to sweep here but Bukowski controlling him for the moment.

Cabrera looking for a guillotine here but Bukowski defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bukowski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bukowski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cabrera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera keeping moving, preventing Bukowski from controlling successfully.
Cabrera wants to sweep here but Bukowski controlling him for the moment.

Bukowski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Cabrera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bukowski has managed to get both his arms back between Cabrera's legs - danger averted.
Cabrera keeping full guard, as Bukowski tries to pass.
Our spies down at at FF Forever inform us that Cabrera has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Bukowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Cabrera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabrera manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bukowski manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cabrera must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cabrera is pushing down on Bukowski's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bukowski is fighting to maintain full guard but Cabrera has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bukowski is trying to control but can't.
Cabrera wants to pass the guard but Bukowski is defending well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Cabrera seems to be looking for submissions.
Bukowski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrix Cabrera dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cabrera cracks Bukowski with a good jab.
Cabrera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Cabrera misses.
A quick step to the side and Bukowski tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Bukowski.
Cabrera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cabrera misses with the combination.
Cabrera takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bukowski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cabrera counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bukowski keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cabrera slips under a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Cabrera. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cabrera.
A telegraphed right hand from Cabrera misses the target.
As Cabrera looks to move away, Bukowski throws a big counter combo but Cabrera just gets out of the way.
Bukowski looks for a takedown but Cabrera sprawls well.
Cabrera feints a counter leg kick.

Cabrera gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski blocking some punches.
Cabrera working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cabrera lands a body shot.
Cabrera misses with a hook from the clinch.

Cabrera manages to break the clinch.
Bukowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cabrera lands with a good body shot.

Cabrera clinches with his opponent.
Bukowski is trying to break the clinch but Cabrera is controlling him.
Bukowski is trying to pull guard but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cabrera.
Still in the clinch, Cabrera scores with a nice short uppercut.

Bukowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cabrera feints and then cracks Bukowski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bukowski down.

Cabrera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bukowski, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bukowski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right from Cabrera on the inside.
Cabrera throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A right handed body shot lands from Cabrera.
A left hand lands to the body for Cabrera.
A short left from Cabrera.
Cabrera lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Cabrera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice body punch from Cabrera.
Bukowski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bukowski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hendrix Cabrera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cabrera. Bukowski does a little dance to reset his feet.

Cabrera has Bukowski up against the cage in a clinch.

Cabrera breaks from the clinch.
Cabrera uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski checks a leg kick.
Cabrera looks to land a right hand but Bukowski moved out of range.
Bukowski slips a jab from Cabrera.
Cabrera with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bukowski on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bukowski misses with a double jab.
Cabrera throws a leg kick which misses Bukowski's front leg but catches the back leg as Bukowski tries to avoid it.
A jab from Cabrera does it's job there.
Hendrix Cabrera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cabrera listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bukowski tries for a takedown but Cabrera circles away easily
and Cabrera counters with a low kick, right behind Bukowski 's knee.
Bukowski shoots for a takedown but Cabrera saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cabrera dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bukowski. That did some damage!
Bukowski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cabrera. Cabrera obviously looking to wear him down.
Cabrera waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bukowski.
Cabrera throws a sloppy head kick and Bukowski moves out of range easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bukowski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cabrera moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Cabrera.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Cabrera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bukowski shoots in but no luck this time.
Cabrera lands a slapping body shot.
Bukowski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cabrera.
Bukowski misses with a takedown attempt - Cabrera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cabrera let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bukowski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cabrera throws out the jab.
Bukowski throws a jab but it's blocked by Cabrera.
Cabrera works over Bukowski's head and body with a nice combination.
Cabrera swings for the body but Bukowski moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Bukowski misses the target.
Bukowski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cabrera lands a nice shot that snaps Bukowski's head back.
Nice defenses there by Bukowski.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera lands a body shot.
Bukowski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cabrera. Cabrera obviously looking to wear him down.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hendrix Cabrera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice shot by Cabrera.
Bukowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cabrera was well out of range. Poor timing from Bukowski.
Cabrera listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Cabrera.
Bukowski darts in looking for a takedown but Cabrera gets double underhooks and turns Bukowski into the cage.

Cabrera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cabrera lands a really nice looking cross but Bukowski seems unphased.
Cabrera dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bukowski. That did some damage!
Bukowski is looking to wear down Cabrera with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bukowski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bukowski cracks a nice hook into Cabrera's ribs.
Cabrera tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bukowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cabrera digs a good body shot into Bukowski's ribs.
Cabrera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cabrera lands with a cross.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera works the jab nicely.
Cabrera avoids the body shot from Bukowski.
Cabrera lands with an overhand left.
Cabrera tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cabrera connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bukowski scrambles back to his feet.
Cabrera with a jab.
Cabrera jabs Bukowski right on the nose. Bukowski blinks but takes it well.
Cabrera connects with an inside leg kick.
Cabrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bukowski was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabrera.
A low kick from Cabrera misses
and Bukowski counters with a right hand to the body.
Cabrera stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cabrera lands a glancing blow to the side of Bukowski's head.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cabrera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bukowski.
Bukowski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cabrera bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bukowski's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some wild striking there from Cabrera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera misses with a looping right.
Bukowski shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bukowski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cabrera swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cabrera with a hook.
Cabrera leaves Bukowski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bukowski throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bukowski jabs at Cabrera's body.
Bukowski swings for the body but Cabrera moves out of range.
Bukowski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bukowski gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cabrera connects with a solid leg kick.
Cabrera looks to land a left hand but Bukowski moved out of range nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bukowski blocks a body shot from Cabrera.
Bukowski looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cabrera fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cabrera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cabrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bukowski was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabrera.
Cabrera stuffs the takedown.
Cabrera cracks Bukowski with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cabrera throws out a leg kick but Bukowski moves out of range and Cabrera only half commits.

Bukowski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cabrera napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cabrera gets back to half guard.
Bukowski prevents Cabrera from improving his position.
Cabrera manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bukowski wants to control from the top but Cabrera keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bukowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bukowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Charles Bukowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bukowski wants to control from the top but Cabrera keeps moving.
Cabrera has his hands on Bukowski's head, controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hendrix Cabrera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cabrera winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hendrix Cabrera!
During a confident post fight interview, Hendrix Cabrera thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.