PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Basheer Saleh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and guigui borgne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saleh
vs
borgne

168 cm
25
146 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

169 cm
26
160 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Basheer Saleh!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, guigui borgne!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saleh tries to bum rush borgne with a series of wild strikes but borgne uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - borgne looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
borgne dodges the punch combination from Saleh.

Saleh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saleh lands in his opponent's guard.
borgne is looking to stand up but Saleh isn't so interested in that idea.
borgne keeping moving, preventing Saleh from controlling successfully.
borgne wants to stand up but Saleh is controlling him.

Saleh drops back looking for a leg! borgne is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and borgne manages to kick Saleh off! Saleh jumps back into borgne's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saleh missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
borgne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Saleh in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Saleh thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saleh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

borgne moves into range and clinches up with Saleh.
borgne misses with a knee to the head.

borgne successfully pulls guard.
borgne wants to get back to his feet but Saleh is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Saleh controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Saleh throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as borgne works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Saleh thows a big elbow that misses.
Saleh advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saleh not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Saleh looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Saleh thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed borgne's head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
borgne is trying to stand up here but Saleh is controlling him well.
borgne looks gassed!

Saleh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so borgne is just riding it out for now. Saleh eventually gives up the hold.
Ground and pound from Saleh.
Saleh scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Saleh is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Saleh is trying to work for a kimura but borgne is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
borgne tries to kick Saleh off but Saleh keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Saleh throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
borgne is in trouble now - Saleh has advanced to mount!

Saleh working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. borgne turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Saleh off and cradles borgne's limp body as Saleh celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Basheer Saleh!
Basheer Saleh is the new lightweight champion!