PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Rabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyrell Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rabi
vs
Ali

179 cm
21
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rocky Rabi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tyrell Ali!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ali counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Rabi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rabi lands in his opponent's guard.
Ali looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rabi is one step ahead there.
Ali really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rabi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rabi is pushing down on Ali's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ali is fighting to maintain full guard but Rabi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rabi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Rabi trying to control the action but Ali is working from the bottom.
Ali won't allow Rabi to pass to mount.
Rabi passes to full mount!
Ali is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabi raining down hammerfists from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ali really wants to buck Rabi off and get back to his feet.
Ali is trying to escape the mount.
Rabi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ali is looking to escape.
Rabi breaks from Ali's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ali tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rabi swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Ali is now in Rabi's guard. A big mistake from Rabi there, giving up the dominant position!
Ali wants to get up but he can't break Rabi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ali looking to pass the guard.
Ali wants to control from the top but Rabi keeps moving.
Ali stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rabi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali postures up and lands a big shot to Rabi's brow.
Ali throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ali working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rabi looking for a sweep. Not yet Rabi, not yet.
Ali wants to stand but Rabi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rabi 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali passes into half guard.
Rabi has hold of Ali's hands but Ali slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ali takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nice strikes from Ali there.
Rabi is staying active underneath Ali, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rabi wants to control but Ali is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ali wants to control but Rabi is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrell Ali dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ali drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ali must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ali wants to control from the top but Rabi keeps moving.
Ali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ali lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Rabi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ali is aware though and is defending well.
Ali trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ali not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rabi is keeping the position for now.
Rabi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ali stays in close to Rabi's body and controls the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tyrell Ali hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rabi with a poor takedown

and Ali counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rabi 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.
Ali is looking to stand up but Rabi won't let him.
Ali is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ali wants to control from the top but Rabi keeps moving.
Ali cracks Rabi with a solid left hand.
Ali throws a big right hand that misses.
Ali looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Ali drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rabi dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ali wants to stand up but Rabi is controlling him.
Ali is adopting a defensive guard.
Ali looking for a sweep. Not yet Ali, not yet.

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.
Tyrell Ali has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ali wants to stand but Rabi is controlling the position.
Rabi stands and throws Ali's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Rabi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Rabi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ali tries to buck Rabi off but Rabi is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyrell Ali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rabi tries for a takedown but Ali circles away easily

and Ali counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Rabi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Ali can't fight it off and eventually Rabi manages to take the fight to the floor. Ali looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ali is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rabi wants to pass the guard but Ali is keeping the position.
Ali wants to get back to his feet but Rabi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rabi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rabi is working hard here to advance position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Rabi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali is controlling Rabi's posture.
Ali looking for a sweep. Not yet Ali, not yet.
Rabi wants to control from the top but Ali keeps moving.
Rabi looking to pass the guard.

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.

Rabi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rabi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ali wants to get back to his feet but Rabi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ali pulls Rabi in to control the position.
Rabi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ali swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ali has his hands on Rabi's head, controlling the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tyrell Ali hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rabi shoots and misses

and Ali counters with a shoot takedown. Rabi fights it but they end up in guard.
Ali working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rabi keeping full guard, as Ali tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabi keeping moving, preventing Ali from controlling successfully.
Ali working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ali controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ali trying to control but Rabi is working from the bottom.
Ali throwing strikes from guard but Rabi blocks nicely.

That's four 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.
Ali lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ali distracts Rabi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ali wants to stand but Rabi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tyrell Ali is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ali works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rocky Rabi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rabi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ali.
Ali is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyrell Ali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ali has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyrell Ali!