PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Tshabalala
vs
Messi

185 cm
18
150 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Los Diablos Rojos FightGear//$10 Apparel on Sale\\
Los Diablos Rojos FightGear//$10 Apparel on Sale\\

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Lionel Messi!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Messi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Tshabalala closes the distance and clinches.
Messi tries to break free but Tshabalala pushes him back against the cage.
Messi keeps control of Tshabalala as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tshabalala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Messi wants to break the clinch but can't.

Messi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Tshabalala uses from the top position.
Tshabalala will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Messi wants to sweep here but Tshabalala controlling him for the moment.

Messi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tshabalala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Messi wants to get back to his feet but Tshabalala is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Messi is trying to keep Tshabalala in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tshabalala content to stall in guard here.

Messi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tshabalala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tshabalala manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tshabalala lands a couple of elbows.

Messi scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Tshabalala tries to clinch but Messi is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Messi moves into the clinch.

Tshabalala has picked Messi up - he's going for a ride! Tshabalala dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Tshabalala is breathing heavily.
Messi is looking for a sweep. Tshabalala is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Messi wants to control the action here but instead Tshabalala manages to pass to full mount!
Tshabalala controlling from the full mount.
Messi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Messi wants to control but Tshabalala is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Messi wants to control the action here but instead Tshabalala manages to pass to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Messi that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Tshabalala takes Messi's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Messi is in trouble.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Messi can't escape the position.
Messi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Tshabalala controlling the positon.

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.
Tshabalala landing with strikes.
Tshabalala scores with punches from the back.
Messi can't escape the position.

Tshabalala looking for the choke but no joy.
Messi is trying to stand back up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Messi staying busy and making it hard for Tshabalala to control.
Tshabalala really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Messi trying to control but not successfully.
Tshabalala throwing damaging strikes from the back! Messi could be in trouble here!
Messi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Messi is trying to maintain the position but Tshabalala is very close to passing his half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tshabalala prevents Messi from improving his position.
Messi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tshabalala. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tshabalala defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Messi.

Tshabalala gets a takedown into half guard.
Messi is trying to stand back up but Tshabalala is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Messi is looking to improve his position.
Messi is staying active underneath Tshabalala, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tshabalala thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tshabalala wants to get back to his feet.
Messi wants to improve his position but Tshabalala is controlling well.
Tshabalala wants to control but Messi is keeping him busy.

That's eight 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.
Tshabalala tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Messi.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Messi is looking to clinch.
Tshabalala looks to land a left hand but Messi moved out of range nicely.
Messi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tshabalala counters with a shoot takedown. Messi fights it but they end up in guard.

Messi pushes Tshabalala off and gets back to his feet.
Messi tries for a takedown but Tshabalala circles away easily

and Tshabalala counters with a nice double leg into side control. Messi won't be happy with that.
Siphiwe Tshabalala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lionel Messi.
Messi seems a little lost for a moment, as Tshabalala dominates the positioning.
Tshabalala misses with the ground and pound.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Messi tries to improve position but can't.
Messi is not content to let Tshabalala control the position.
Tshabalala advances nicely into full mount.
Tshabalala controlling the position easily from mount.
Messi wants to hold on but Tshabalala pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Siphiwe Tshabalala showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tshabalala 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 1 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 10:9
Judge William Gold scores the fight 10:9
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Siphiwe Tshabalala!
Siphiwe Tshabalala retains his lightweight title!