PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tristan Galahad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pepito Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pepito Tshabalala is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Galahad
vs
Tshabalala

183 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Self confident

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tristan Galahad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pepito Tshabalala!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Galahad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Galahad wants it to stay on the feet.
Tshabalala looks for a takedown but Galahad sprawls well.

Galahad drives through with a takedown into guard.
Galahad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Galahad scoring with punches to the head and body.
Galahad scoring with some ground and pound.
Galahad tries to free his leg and advance position but Tshabalala is retaining full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Galahad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tshabalala striking off his back but it's not causing Galahad any problems.
Galahad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tshabalala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Galahad makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Galahad is looking to work some ground and pound but Tshabalala has wrist control.
Galahad looking to pass the guard.
Tshabalala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Galahad got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tshabalala has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Galahad has managed to get both his arms back between Tshabalala's legs - danger averted.
Tshabalala looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galahad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Galahad stands up over Tshabalala, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Galahad makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Galahad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Galahad might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Galahad is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Galahad passes Tshabalala's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Galahad lands with a punch from half guard.
Galahad takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Galahad is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Galahad is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Galahad seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Galahad landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Galahad scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Galahad lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galahad is nestled in close to Tshabalala, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Galahad throwing shots but Tshabalala is blocking nicely.
Tshabalala is looking to control Galahad's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tshabalala avoid being mounted?
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tshabalala works his way to full guard. Good work.
Galahad lands a couple of elbows.

Tshabalala is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Galahad defends well.
Galahad pushing down on Tshabalala's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tshabalala has hold of Galahad's hands but Galahad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Galahad lands with a punch from half guard.
Galahad looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Galahad scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tshabalala manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Tshabalala has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Galahad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Galahad lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Galahad scoring with some ground and pound.

Tshabalala has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Galahad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Galahad wants to pass the guard but Tshabalala is keeping the position.

Galahad avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Galahad working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galahad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tshabalala's head.
Galahad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tshabalala 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.
Galahad works over Tshabalala with some ground and pound from guard.
Galahad makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Tshabalala has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Galahad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Galahad trying to control but Tshabalala is working from the bottom.
Tshabalala trying to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Galahad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tristan Galahad dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tshabalala with a poor takedown

and Galahad counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Galahad works his way into side control.
Galahad working the ground and pound from side control.
Check out the look on Galahad's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Tshabalala is looking to regain half guard here but Galahad keeps moving and retains side control.
Tshabalala is working to avoid the ground and pound but Galahad connects with a decent elbow.
Tshabalala is looking to regain half guard here but Galahad keeps moving and retains side control.
Tshabalala taking a bit of punishment here - Galahad scoring with strikes.
Tshabalala can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tshabalala takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Galahad working the ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tshabalala tries to bench press Galahad off him but Galahad keeps the position.
Tshabalala is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Tshabalala can't do much from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Galahad throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tshabalala was covering up waiting for the punch and Galahad finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tshabalala wants to sweep but no luck.
Galahad scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Tshabalala working for a triangle but Galahad defends it easily.
Galahad cracks Tshabalala with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala punching from the bottom.
Galahad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tshabalala's head.
Galahad landing with the ground and pound.
Galahad lands a couple of digs.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A clash of legs there as Galahad blocks the low kick.
Tshabalala misses with a takedown

and Galahad counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galahad tries to free his leg and advance position but Tshabalala is retaining full guard.
Galahad landing with the ground and pound.

Tshabalala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Galahad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Galahad is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tshabalala wants to sweep here but Galahad controlling him for the moment.
Galahad cracks Tshabalala with a solid left hand.

Tshabalala is looking for a triangle but Galahad pushes his legs off easily.
Galahad is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tshabalala avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Galahad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tshabalala is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tshabalala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Galahad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tshabalala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Galahad tries to free his leg and advance position but Tshabalala is retaining full guard.
Tristan Galahad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tshabalala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Galahad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tshabalala is keeping the position for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tshabalala with a lazy takedown attempt

and Galahad counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tristan Galahad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pepito Tshabalala.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Galahad is nestled in close to Tshabalala, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tshabalala is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tristan Galahad dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Galahad feints and as Tshabalala raises his hands in defense, Galahad changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Tshabalala had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Galahad defends it easily.
Galahad lands a couple of elbows.
Galahad working some strikes from top position.
Galahad forces his way into half guard.
Galahad looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tshabalala with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tshabalala has hold of Galahad's hands but Galahad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tshabalala taking some punishment here, with Galahad in his half guard.
Galahad winds up and cracks Tshabalala with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tshabalala is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Galahad working the head and body with strikes.

Tshabalala actively working from the bottom here.
Galahad is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tshabalala doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Galahad counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tshabalala's guard now.
Tshabalala can't keep his opponent in guard - Galahad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tshabalala trying to hold on to Galahad's head to control him but Galahad postures up.
Ground and pound from Galahad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galahad wants to pass the guard but Tshabalala is defending well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Galahad connects with a nice short shot to Tshabalala's temple.
Galahad lands with a punch from half guard.
Tshabalala on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Galahad tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tshabalala knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Galahad lands strikes from half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tshabalala with a lazy takedown attempt

and Galahad counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tshabalala!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tshabalala is in a horrible position here. Galahad smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Galahad scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala taking shots to the head.
Galahad lands with some strikes.
Galahad landing strikes from the mount.
Tshabalala wants to hold on but Galahad pushes him away.
Galahad punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tshabalala working to try and regain half guard.
Tshabalala taking shots to the head.
Galahad has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tshabalala's face.
Tshabalala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tshabalala wants to control but Galahad is having none of it.
Galahad with a couple of short strikes.
Galahad lands with some strikes.
Galahad raining down shots from the mount!
Tshabalala is in a horrible position here. Galahad smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Pepito Tshabalala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tshabalala throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
The referee warns Tshabalala that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Galahad with shots to the head and body - Tshabalala looks very uncomfortable down there.
Galahad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tshabalala can do to turn this around?
Tshabalala flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Galahad scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Tshabalala?
Galahad with shots to the head and body - Tshabalala looks very uncomfortable down there.
Galahad putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Galahad looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Tshabalala takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Tshabalala tries to lock up and control but Galahad gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Galahad landing strikes from the mount and Tshabalala is in trouble!
Tshabalala throwing hammer fists to the chest of Galahad. What's that going to do exactly?
Galahad lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tshabalala hang on?

And that's the end of the fight!
Tristan Galahad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Galahad 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:26
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:26
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tristan Galahad!