PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between hazem el magic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Woleman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

el magic
vs
Woleman

170 cm
25
160 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

205 cm
23
161 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, hazem el magic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Woleman!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Woleman gets a clinch.
Woleman can't get the takedown.
Woleman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stalling in the clinch from Woleman.

Woleman has hold of one of el magic's legs. el magic is fighting the takedown attempt but Woleman gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Woleman wants to control from the top but el magic keeps moving.
Woleman won't allow el magic to sweep him here.
el magic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Woleman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as el magic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Woleman's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
el magic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Woleman's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Woleman doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Woleman manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Woleman scoring with strikes but el magic is staying in there.
el magic regains half guard.
el magic wants to get back to his feet.
el magic is breathing heavily.
Woleman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
el magic tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
el magic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
el magic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Woleman is nestled in close to el magic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Woleman lands with a punch from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Woleman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Woleman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but el magic swivels and escapes.
hazem el magic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Woleman.
el magic looks to land a combination but Woleman avoids it well.
el magic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Woleman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Woleman tries to close the distance and clinch up but el magic swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Woleman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Woleman lands a left hand.
Woleman is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
el magic is trying to break free.
Woleman has el magic pushed against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woleman prevents el magic from breaking the clinch.
Woleman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
el magic gets underhooks to prevent Woleman's takedown attempt.

Woleman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Woleman is trying hard to land a takedown here. el magic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Woleman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Woleman is looking to clinch but el magic is avoiding it.
Woleman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but el magic circles away quickly and effectively.
el magic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Woleman avoids the head kick by el magic.
el magic stuffs the takedown attempt from Woleman. Woleman gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woleman lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from el magic, right into the meat.
el magic throws a head kick that misses.

Woleman pushes el magic up against the ropes in a clinch.

Woleman jumps guard and drags el magic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Woleman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. el magic manages to get himself to full guard.
Woleman scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Woleman landing some decent shots from guard.
Woleman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Woleman works over el magic with some ground and pound from guard.
Woleman distracts el magic with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
el magic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Woleman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Woleman lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Woleman with a nice head shot there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Woleman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Woleman moves into the clinch.
Woleman presses el magic against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
el magic is pressed up against the ropes. Woleman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag el magic down to the mat. el magic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
el magic throws a left and a right that both miss

and Woleman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in el magic's guard now.
Woleman is working el magic over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
el magic is looking to stand up but Woleman isn't so interested in that idea.
Woleman wants to pass the guard but el magic is keeping the position.

el magic has his foot on Woleman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Woleman works his way back into a safe position though.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
el magic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Woleman is one step ahead there.
Woleman postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Woleman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A shot to de liver by Woleman. Beautiful body shot.
Woleman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Woleman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Woleman shoots in for a takedown but el magic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Woleman moves out of range of the strikes.
el magic slaps away a takedown attempt from Woleman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
hazem el magic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Woleman.
Woleman wants to clinch up but el magic keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
el magic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Woleman throws a left and a right that both miss
and el magic counters with a slapping leg kick.
A head kick misses from el magic.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Woleman throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. el magic was covering up waiting for the punch and Woleman finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Woleman trying to control the position from guard on top but el magic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woleman scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Woleman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Woleman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
el magic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Woleman.
el magic throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
el magic wants to sweep here but Woleman controlling him for the moment.
Woleman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
el magic takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Woleman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Woleman prevents el magic from breaking the clinch.
el magic is pressed up against the ropes. Woleman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag el magic down to the mat. el magic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A left and a right from Woleman both land. Nice combination.
Woleman tries for a takedown but el magic circles away easily
enabling el magic to counter with a crisp jab.
Woleman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as el magic sprawls well. el magic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Woleman gets slowly back to his feet.
el magic throws a predictable looking body shot

and Woleman counters by moving into the clinch.
el magic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Woleman has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics el magic uses from the top position.
Woleman strikes from his own guard.
Woleman wants to sweep here but el magic controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
el magic working some strikes from top position.
Woleman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Woleman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
el magic is trying to stand back up but Woleman is controlling him
el magic tries to roll over but Woleman keeps him under control.
el magic is working hard here to advance position.
Woleman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
el magic is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Woleman scores with a couple of nice shots.
Woleman takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Woleman slips a nice elbow through el magic's hands, connecting with el magic's forehead.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Woleman lands a nice hook to el magic's body. el magic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

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.
el magic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Woleman scores with a three punch combo!
el magic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Woleman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Woleman shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. el magic is trying to defend but Woleman finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ground and pound from Woleman.
Woleman stops el magic from getting back to his feet.
el magic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Woleman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
el magic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Woleman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Woleman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

el magic finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
el magic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Woleman was well out of range. Poor timing from el magic.

Woleman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Woleman is looking to take a break and control but el magic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
el magic sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Woleman working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Woleman wants to pass the guard but el magic is defending well.
Woleman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
el magic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Woleman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

el magic is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Woleman pulls his head out easily.
el magic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woleman working el magic over with strikes.
Woleman prevents el magic from improving his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Woleman lands with a nice combination. el magic backs away looking to recover.
Woleman shoots for a double leg takedown but el magic sprawls well. He's pushed Woleman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Woleman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has el magic pinned against the cage. el magic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
el magic throws a sloppy head kick and Woleman moves out of range easily.

Woleman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming el magic to the mat! el magic manages to get full guard.
Woleman lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Woleman looking to pass the guard.
Woleman stops el magic from standing up.
el magic keeping moving, preventing Woleman from controlling successfully.
Woleman wants to pass the guard but el magic is keeping the position.
Woleman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as el magic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mark Woleman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
el magic wants to stand and escape but Woleman is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A left and a right from Woleman both land. Nice combination.
Woleman shoots in but no luck this time.
hazem el magic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Woleman.
el magic throws a head kick but Woleman moves out of range.
A cross from Woleman lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woleman blocks a head kick by el magic.
Woleman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Woleman tries to clinch up but el magic circles away and keeps his distance.
Woleman with a lazy takedown attempt
and el magic counters with a slapping leg kick.
Woleman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as el magic sprawls well. el magic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Woleman gets slowly back to his feet.
hazem el magic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Woleman darts in trying to clinch
and el magic counters with a stiff right hand.
Woleman misses with a double jab.
A low kick from Woleman is predictable there
and el magic counters with a head kick. That will keep Woleman thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Woleman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Woleman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. el magic defends it nicely.
el magic throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
el magic stuffs the takedown attempt from Woleman. Woleman gets slowly back to his feet.
hazem el magic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A solid leg kick lands there for el magic.
hazem el magic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
el magic cracks Woleman with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Woleman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Woleman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down el magic rather than just go for the knockout.
A low kick from Woleman misses
and el magic counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mark Woleman.
I've got Woleman 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Woleman!