PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Muj Dhaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Haysmith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tom Haysmith will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dhaj
vs
Haysmith

173 cm
19
153 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

172 cm
21
165 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite 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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Muj Dhaj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Haysmith!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dhaj drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Haysmith managing to control the position.

Haysmith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dhaj can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dhaj wants to stand but Haysmith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Haysmith managing to control the position.
Haysmith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dhaj is looking to stand up but Haysmith won't let him.
Dhaj trying to control but Haysmith is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhaj postures up.
Dhaj has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Haysmith throws a sloppy head kick and Dhaj moves out of range easily.
Haysmith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Dhaj counters with a single leg into guard. Haysmith didn't expect that.
Dhaj is breathing heavily.
Haysmith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dhaj wants to stand but Haysmith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Haysmith throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Haysmith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haysmith pulls Dhaj in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haysmith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Haysmith has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Dhaj off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Good standup being displayed there by Haysmith as he connects with a hook.
Dhaj keeps the fight on the outside.

Haysmith drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Dhaj is not content to let Haysmith control the position.
Dhaj is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Haysmith has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haysmith trying to control the action but Dhaj is working from the bottom.
Haysmith working away.
Dhaj is looking for a sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Haysmith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dhaj circles away.

Dhaj drives through and clinches with Haysmith against the cage.

Dhaj manages to break the clinch.
Dhaj tries to clinch up

and Haysmith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dhaj's guard.
Haysmith stopping the sweep attempt from Dhaj.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haysmith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Dhaj moves into the clinch successfully.
Haysmith is trying to break the clinch but Dhaj has him pressed against the cage.
Haysmith is trying to break the clinch but Dhaj has him pressed against the cage.
Haysmith trying to stall but Dhaj improves his position.
Dhaj looking to throw knees to the head but Haysmith is blocking nicely.
Dhaj misses with a knee strike.
Haysmith has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dhaj is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Muj Dhaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Haysmith.
Haysmith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dhaj pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dhaj is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Haysmith manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haysmith keeps the fight on the outside.

Haysmith gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Muj Dhaj will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Haysmith tries to clinch up.
Dhaj wants to clinch.
Haysmith wants to clinch.
Dhaj throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haysmith.
Haysmith has his takedown stuffed
and Dhaj counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Dhaj gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haysmith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dhaj has him pressed against the cage.
Haysmith lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Haysmith wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haysmith jumps guard but Dhaj stands there with Haysmith around his waist. Haysmith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Dhaj misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haysmith is trying to break free.
Haysmith is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Dhaj is keeping busy.
Haysmith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dhaj smiles and moves away.
Muj Dhaj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Haysmith.
Dhaj tries to clinch up
and Haysmith makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Haysmith.

Haysmith drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dhaj bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Haysmith's guard.
Haysmith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tom Haysmith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dhaj wants to get up but he can't break Haysmith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Haysmith has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Dhaj off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Dhaj tries to clinch up
and Haysmith counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhaj misses with a two punch combination.
Haysmith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dhaj misses with the combination.
Haysmith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dhaj is fending him off so far but Haysmith persists. Nope, Dhaj circles away and we're back to standing.
Dhaj tries to clinch but Haysmith moves away

and Haysmith counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dhaj is looking for a sweep.
Haysmith working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Dhaj is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Haysmith is controlling him well.
Haysmith is looking to take a break and control but Dhaj is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Haysmith is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haysmith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dhaj knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Haysmith thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Haysmith trying to control the position but Dhaj is working away.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dhaj closes the distance but Haysmith moves to the side

and Haysmith counters by moving into the clinch.
Haysmith tries to pull guard but Dhaj won't allow it.
Dhaj is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Haysmith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left lands for Dhaj.
Dhaj tries to clinch

and Haysmith counters with a takedown into side control.
Dhaj is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Haysmith asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dhaj is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Haysmith off and has taken his back!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haysmith rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Haysmith is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Haysmith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Dhaj tries to clinch but Haysmith moves away
and Haysmith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Muj Dhaj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Haysmith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dhaj fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dhaj wants a takedown but no success here.
Dhaj fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Muj Dhaj. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dhaj stalling in the clinch but Haysmith improves position.
Dhaj gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Haysmith.
Haysmith will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dhaj up against the cage.
Haysmith wants to get back to striking at distance but Dhaj won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haysmith slows down the pace here.
Dhaj is trying to stall.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Haysmith ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Haysmith no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haysmith wants to get back to his feet but Dhaj is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Haysmith trying to control the position here.
Haysmith wants to sweep but no luck.
Haysmith is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Haysmith is trying to keep Dhaj in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haysmith pulls Dhaj in close to prevent any damage.
Haysmith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Haysmith seems keen to control Dhaj's posture.

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.
Dhaj wants to stand and escape but instead Haysmith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Haysmith sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Haysmith tries to free his leg and advance position but Dhaj is retaining full guard.
Dhaj is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haysmith wants to control from the top but Dhaj keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhaj utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dhaj is wriggling around but Haysmith manages to pass to half guard.
Haysmith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dhaj defending well though.
Haysmith wants to stand but Dhaj has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dhaj shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haysmith as he avoids it easily.
Dhaj wants to clinch up but Haysmith keeps it at a distance.
Dhaj takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Haysmith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Dhaj counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Haysmith!
A nice elbow there by Dhaj.
Haysmith is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhaj wants to control the pace but Haysmith is squirming around nicely.
Dhaj sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Haysmith manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Dhaj wants to stand up but Haysmith is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tom Haysmith.
I think Haysmith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Haysmith!