PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Capello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yaqub Irfani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Capello
vs
Irfani

183 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

181 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Capello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yaqub Irfani!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irfani shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Capello pinned against the cage. Capello gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Irfani looks to land a combination but Capello avoids it well.
Irfani looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Capello is fending him off so far but Irfani persists. Nope, Capello circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Irfani is defended easily by Capello.
Fabio Capello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yaqub Irfani.
Irfani is trying hard to land a takedown here. Capello sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A punch combination from Irfani misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irfani throws a series of punches but Capello avoids them all with ease.

Capello is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Irfani's half guard.
Irfani wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Capello seems to be working for a kimura but Irfani defends the submission attempt.
Still in half guard, Capello seems content to control.
Capello is trying to control. Irfani wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Capello sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Irfani is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Capello wants to stand up but Irfani is controlling the position.
Irfani tries to get to full guard but Capello has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Capello in particular looking to stall.
Irfani is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Irfani has his takedown stuffed

and Capello counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Irfani's guard now.
Capello trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Capello controls from within his opponent's guard.
Capello wanted to stand there but Irfani had control of the position.
Capello is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Capello trying to control but Irfani is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Capello dominated that 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.

Irfani misses with a takedown

and Capello counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Capello trying to control the pace.
Capello wants to stand up but Irfani manages to regain full guard.
Capello won't allow Irfani to sweep him here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capello pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Irfani is keeping the position for now.
Capello postures up.
Capello wants to stand but Irfani is controlling his posture from full guard.
Capello trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Irfani manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Irfani with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Irfani works over Capello with some ground and pound from guard.
Capello wants to sweep here but Irfani controlling him for the moment.
Irfani with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Irfani accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Irfani postures up and lands a big shot to Capello's brow.
Irfani with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Capello avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Irfani trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Irfani preventing the sweep.
Irfani trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capello is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Capello working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Irfani.
Irfani is working Capello over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Irfani with a nice head shot there.
Irfani in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Irfani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Irfani throws a big right hand that misses.
Capello controls Irfani momentarily but Irfani frees himself.
Irfani is looking to work some ground and pound but Capello has wrist control.
Capello preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Irfani content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Irfani works over Capello with some ground and pound from guard.

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.
Irfani lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Capello looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Irfani is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Irfani postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Irfani postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Capello tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Irfani content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Irfani content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Irfani lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Capello is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Capello not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yaqub Irfani 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!

Irfani misses with a takedown

and Capello counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Irfani wants to control but Capello is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Capello wants to take a breather but Irfani is having none of it.
Capello sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Capello is looking to advance position but Irfani won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irfani is looking for a sweep. Capello is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Capello passes to full mount!
Fabio Capello overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Capello looking to control but Irfani is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Capello is trying to control here but Irfani has managed to regain half guard.
Irfani wants to control but Capello is keeping busy.
Irfani is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irfani controlling the position for now.
Capello trying to control from Irfani's half guard. Irfani has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Irfani wants to sweep here but Capello controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Capello stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Irfani swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Irfani is trying to control the position but Capello postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Irfani with a lazy takedown attempt

so Capello counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabio Capello showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Capello has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabio Capello!