PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergiou Figu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sako Bushbe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Figu
vs
Bushbe

195 cm
21
280 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
290 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergiou Figu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sako Bushbe!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Figu slips a jab and a cross from Bushbe.
Bushbe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bushbe misses with a double jab
and Figu counters with a nice uppercut.
Figu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bushbe swivels and escapes.
Figu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bushbe throws a left and a right that both miss

and Figu counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Figu is looking to take a break and control but Bushbe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Figu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Figu winds up and cracks Bushbe with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Figu thows a huge punch but Bushbe dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bushbe is looking to escape.
Figu throwing shots but Bushbe is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushbe is staying active underneath Figu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Figu throwing shots but Bushbe is blocking nicely.
Figu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Figu throwing shots but Bushbe is blocking nicely.
Bushbe tries to kick Figu off but Figu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Figu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Bushbe manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Bushbe leaves Figu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergiou Figu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bushbe rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Figu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bushbe won't be happy with that.
Bushbe is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Figu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Bushbe being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Figu is trying to get an arm triangle but Bushbe is defending well.
Bushbe dodges the ground and pound from Figu.
Figu throws a strike aimed at the side of Bushbe's head but Bushbe avoids it well.
Figu sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Bushbe is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Figu throws a strike aimed at the side of Bushbe's head but Bushbe avoids it well.
Bushbe wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu scoring with punches and elbows.
Bushbe regains half guard, as Figu was trying to land strikes.
Figu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Figu connects with a nice short shot to Bushbe's temple.
Bushbe tries to kick Figu off but Figu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Bushbe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Figu.
Figu 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.
Figu pushing down on Bushbe's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushbe tries to kick Figu off but Figu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Figu wants to pass the guard but Bushbe is defending well.
Figu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Figu content to control rather than advance.
Bushbe on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Figu prevents Bushbe from standing back up.
Figu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Figu tries to pass to full mount but Bushbe defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bushbe works Figu's body with a nice hook.
Figu shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bushbe as he avoids it easily.
Figu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bushbe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Figu somewhat.
Bushbe throws a one two combo.

It looks like Sergiou Figu has been cut.
Sako Bushbe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Figu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bushbe throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Figu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bushbe won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bushbe is not content to let Figu control the position.
Figu prevents Bushbe from escaping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figu trying to control the action but Bushbe is working from the bottom.
Bushbe is trying to buck Figu off.
Figu misses with the ground and pound.

Bushbe bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Figu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergiou Figu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bushbe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Figu blocks a head kick by Bushbe.

That's two 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.

Figu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Figu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bushbe wants to stand but Figu is controlling the position.
Figu is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bushbe wants to stand and escape but Figu is having none of it.
Bushbe is breathing heavily.
Bushbe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Figu.
Figu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bushbe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Figu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sergiou Figu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu trying to control but Bushbe is working from the bottom.
Bushbe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bushbe keeping full guard, as Figu tries to pass.
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Bushbe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Figu stands up over Bushbe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Figu thows a big elbow that misses.
Figu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Figu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Figu trying to control the action but Bushbe is working from the bottom.
Bushbe is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergiou Figu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sergiou Figu'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.

Figu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bushbe.
Bushbe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bushbe throws a shot from downtown. Figu moves away and avoids it.
Bushbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Figu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bushbe's guard.
Figu prevents Bushbe from getting back to his feet.
Figu looking to sit in guard and control but Bushbe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Figu controlling Bushbe's posture.

Bushbe gets to his feet - Figu follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Figu shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Figu showed some decent athleticism there.
Figu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Figu trying to mount his opponent but Bushbe defends it.
Bushbe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushbe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Figu.
Bushbe looks like he's trying to stand up.
Figu has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Figu wants to control but Bushbe has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Figu stops Bushbe from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Figu is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bushbe is just riding it out for now. Figu eventually gives up the hold.
Bushbe is trying to stand.
Bushbe regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Figu.
Figu wants to control from the top but Bushbe keeps moving.

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.
Figu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Figu looking to pass the guard.
Figu throwing strikes but missing.
Figu prevents Bushbe from getting back to his feet.
Figu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Bushbe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Sergiou Figu'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.

Bushbe throws a head kick but Figu moves out of range.
Figu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bushbe pinned against the cage. Bushbe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bushbe throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Figu's head.
Sergiou Figu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bushbe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bushbe misses with an uppercut.
Bushbe goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bushbe dips to his left and cracks Figu with an uppercut!
Bushbe throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bushbe throws a combination. Figu tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
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!
Bushbe tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushbe swings for the body but Figu moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bushbe.
Bushbe misses with a lunging right hand

and Figu counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bushbe is looking to stand up but Figu isn't so interested in that idea.
Figu forces his way into half guard.
Bushbe scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Figu manages to mount him!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Figu cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figu sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Figu thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Figu lands a big shot there that rocks Bushbe but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Figu unloading with bombs!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Figu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bushbe avoids a series of strikes thrown by Figu.
Bushbe squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Figu landing strikes, looking to finish!
Figu landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu wants to control the pace but Bushbe is squirming around nicely.
Figu raining down shots from the mount!
Figu is landing with some decent strikes but Bushbe is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Figu controlling the pace for now.
Figu tries to control but Bushbe wriggling away.
Figu raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figu lands a big elbow.
Bushbe squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Figu looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Figu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bushbe trying desperately to get to his feet.
Bushbe is in a horrible position here. Figu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You get the feeling that Bushbe really doesn't like being in this position too much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Figu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
A nice elbow there by Figu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu had his way with Sako Bushbe in that round.
The cut man is working on Sergiou Figu's cut.
That's time! Figu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bushbe throws a poor cross that misses

and Figu counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bushbe!
Figu won't let Bushbe get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Figu thowing shots but they're missing.
Figu landing strikes, looking to finish!
Figu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Figu lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Figu wants to control the pace but Bushbe is squirming around nicely.
Figu has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bushbe's face.
Bushbe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bushbe is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figu trying to control but Bushbe is having none of it.

Figu is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bushbe can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Bushbe wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Figu.
Figu working the ground and pound effectively.
Figu looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figu working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Figu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Figu misses with a head shot.
Figu throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bushbe wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Figu.
Figu lands a big shot there that rocks Bushbe but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Figu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bushbe is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushbe is in a horrible position here. Figu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Figu thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Figu unloading with bombs!
Figu working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Figu raining down shots from the mount!
Figu won't let Bushbe get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Figu misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Bushbe really wants to buck Figu off and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushbe in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Figu won't let Bushbe get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Bushbe takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Figu unloading with bombs!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bushbe really wants to buck Figu off and get back to his feet.
Figu landing shots from mount.
Figu lands a heavy elbow.
Figu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bushbe can do to turn this around?
Figu looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Figu landing punches.
Bushbe is in a horrible position here. Figu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sako Bushbe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sergiou Figu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Figu controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergiou Figu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Figu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 50:44
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 50:44
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergiou Figu!
Sergiou Figu retains his super heavyweight title!