PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haile Selassie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey The Rat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Selassie comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome to Jamrock - Damian Marley. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Selassie
vs
The Rat

175 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Haile Selassie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mickey The Rat!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Rat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The Rat takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mickey The Rat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Selassie slips a jab and a cross from The Rat.
Selassie scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Mickey The Rat has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Selassie. No joy for The Rat on that attempt.
Selassie thuds his right hand into The Rat's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Selassie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before The Rat has time to react.
Selassie works over The Rat's head and body with a nice combination.

The Rat is rocked!
A shot to the liver by Selassie. Beautiful body shot.

Selassie gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A hook to the body from Selassie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Selassie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Selassie lands a shoulder strike.
Selassie works on The Rat's body with a couple of short punches.
The Rat looks gassed!
The Rat tries to pull guard but Selassie won't allow it.
A short body shot lands from Selassie as the two fighters clinch.
Selassie keeps control of The Rat as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Selassie makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Selassie.
A right hook to the body lands for Selassie.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Selassie.
Selassie works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Selassie pushes The Rat back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Selassie.
Selassie lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Selassie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Selassie - that landed with a thud.
A hook to the body from Selassie.
A body shot lands from Selassie.
Selassie lands with a short shot to the head.
Selassie unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Selassie works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Selassie stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Selassie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A right hook to the body lands for Selassie.
A short uppercut from Selassie.
The Rat is still on wobbly legs! Can Selassie finish him?
Selassie lands a right hand that snaps the head of The Rat backwards.
Nice body punch from Selassie - that landed with a thud.
Selassie cracks The Rat with a nice body shot.
The Rat seems to have recovered his senses.
Selassie scores with a shoulder strike.
Selassie working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The Rat is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Haile Selassie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey The Rat.
Selassie presses The Rat against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The Rat being controlled against the cage.
Selassie is working The Rat over against the cage.

Selassie tightens his grip and picks The Rat up, before dumping him to the ground. The Rat manages to land in guard.
Selassie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Selassie preventing the sweep.
Selassie is in close to The Rat's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selassie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. The Rat swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Selassie preventing the sweep.
Selassie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Selassie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Selassie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Selassie scoring with punches to the head and body.
Selassie landing with the ground and pound.
Selassie lands a couple of elbows.
The Rat preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selassie trying to control the position from guard on top but The Rat is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Rat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Selassie controls the pace.
Selassie working some strikes from top position.
Selassie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The Rat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Selassie postures up in The Rat's guard and throws a big left but The Rat blocks it.
Selassie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Selassie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Selassie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Selassie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The Rat is trying to control the position but Selassie postures up.
The Rat keeping moving, preventing Selassie from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The Rat misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Selassie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The Rat working to try and regain half guard.
Selassie is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. The Rat can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haile Selassie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mickey The Rat's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The Rat walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The Rat misses with a takedown attempt
and Selassie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The Rat misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Selassie to counter with a crisp jab.
Selassie scores with a crisp jab that stopped The Rat in his tracks.
Selassie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that The Rat can do to turn this around?
The Rat takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mickey The Rat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The Rat throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Selassie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Selassie is thwarting The Rat's attempts to control the position.
Selassie trying to control the pace.
Selassie working the head and body with strikes.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Selassie scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The Rat wants to get back to his feet.
The Rat is breathing heavily.
Selassie tries to pass to full mount but The Rat defends it.
Selassie controlling the pace.
Selassie trying to mount his opponent but The Rat defends it.
Selassie is looking to take a break and control but The Rat is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Selassie is looking to advance position but The Rat won't allow it.
The Rat really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Selassie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two 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.
Selassie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The Rat is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Selassie scores with a couple of nice shots.
The Rat looks like he's trying to stand up.
The Rat is staying active underneath Selassie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Selassie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Selassie has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Selassie tries to pass the half guard into mount. The Rat knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Selassie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Selassie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so The Rat is just riding it out for now. Selassie eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selassie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The Rat wants to get back to full guard.
Selassie is keen to just control but The Rat is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Selassie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Selassie takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The Rat tries to get to full guard but Selassie has control of the leg.
Selassie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Rat defending well though.
The Rat works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Selassie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Selassie scoring with punches to the head and body.
The Rat avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The Rat keeping moving, preventing Selassie from controlling successfully.
Selassie makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The Rat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Selassie thows a big elbow that misses.
Selassie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haile Selassie dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mickey The Rat's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Selassie rushes The Rat and presses him up against the cage.
The Rat is trying to break the clinch but Selassie is controlling him.
A right hook to the body lands for Selassie.

Selassie gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Selassie trying to control from half guard but The Rat is working away.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Selassie in particular looking to stall.
The Rat is trying to control but can't.
Selassie slows the pace down in half guard.
The Rat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Selassie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Selassie there.
The Rat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The Rat trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Selassie seems content to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Selassie pushes The Rat up against the cage in a clinch.
Selassie lands a body shot in the clinch.
Selassie stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Selassie.
Haile Selassie has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Selassie is working The Rat over against the cage.
Selassie lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Selassie lands a right hand that snaps the head of The Rat backwards.
Selassie lands a shot to the body.
Selassie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down The Rat.
Selassie lands with a light punch inside.
Selassie lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A knee to the head by Selassie.
Selassie is working The Rat over against the cage.
Selassie lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Selassie gets underhooks to prevent The Rat's takedown attempt.
Mickey The Rat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selassie scores with a shot to the side of The Rat's head.
Selassie lands an uppercut.
Selassie scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A shot in the inside from Selassie.

Selassie is trying to trip The Rat. He has hold of a leg but The Rat is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Selassie persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The Rat looking to control.
Selassie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Selassie postures up and lands a big shot to The Rat's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Selassie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Rat not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mickey The Rat wasn't active enough on the ground.
Selassie tests The Rat's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selassie tries to bum rush The Rat with a series of wild strikes but The Rat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The Rat fails with the takedown
and Selassie makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The Rat on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Selassie scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Selassie scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice cross by Selassie.
The Rat tries for a takedown but Selassie circles away easily
and Selassie counters with a stiff right hand.
Haile Selassie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey The Rat.
Selassie lands a nice shot to the body.
The Rat has his takedown stuffed
and Selassie counters with a straight right hand.
Selassie lands a jab to The Rat's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Selassie has closed the distance and engaged The Rat in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Selassie.
A right handed body shot lands from Selassie.
Selassie working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Selassie makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Selassie.
Selassie lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Selassie.
Selassie lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Selassie digs a right hand underneath The Rat's ribcage. The Rat let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Selassie gets through The Rat's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Selassie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Selassie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down The Rat.
Selassie works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Selassie pushes The Rat back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Selassie lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Selassie unloads a knee to the mid-section. The Rat lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Selassie lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Selassie lands a body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Selassie displaying some good clinch control by pressing The Rat up against the cage.
Selassie pushes The Rat back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Selassie digs a right hand underneath The Rat's ribcage. The Rat let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Haile Selassie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Selassie lands an uppercut.
The Rat misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haile Selassie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Selassie 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:25
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:25
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haile Selassie!