PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Allah Habibi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Katsumoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Habibi
vs
Katsumoto

187 cm
22
193 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
24
190 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Allah Habibi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Saku Katsumoto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Habibi wants to clinch.

Habibi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Katsumoto turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Katsumoto tries for a kimura but Habibi is defending well.
Katsumoto trying to control the action but Habibi is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Katsumoto swings around for an armbar but Habibi sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Katsumoto's guard.

Katsumoto has his foot on Habibi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Habibi works his way back into a safe position though.
Habibi wanted to stand there but Katsumoto had control of the position.
Habibi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Katsumoto on the ground.
Katsumoto throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katsumoto wants to sweep here but Habibi controlling him for the moment.
Katsumoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Habibi stands up and waves to Katsumoto to follow him.
Habibi closes the distance but Katsumoto moves to the side
and Katsumoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Katsumoto lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Habibi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Habibi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Habibi is looking to clinch.
Katsumoto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Habibi.
Habibi defending well as Katsumoto loads up on a big left hand.
Habibi wants to clinch but Katsumoto slips to the side
and Katsumoto counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Katsumoto throws a hook to the side of Habibi's head but Habibi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Katsumoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Habibi.
Katsumoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Habibi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Katsumoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Crunch! Habibi slams his shin into Katsumoto's torso.
A shot to the liver by Habibi. Beautiful body shot.
Allah Habibi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Katsumoto misses with the combination.
Habibi leaves Katsumoto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Habibi has Katsumoto up against the cage in a clinch.
Habibi gets underhooks to prevent Katsumoto's takedown attempt.
Katsumoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Katsumoto changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Habibi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Allah Habibi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Katsumoto rushes Habibi and presses him up against the cage.
Habibi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Katsumoto tries to score a body lock takedown but Habibi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Katsumoto goes for a takedown attempt but Habibi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Habibi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Allah Habibi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Habibi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Habibi lands an elbow that stopped Katsumoto in his tracks for a moment.
Habibi lands a nice knee to the body.
Habibi lands a knee to the body.
Katsumoto looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Katsumoto is working for takedown but Habibi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Habibi taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katsumoto wants a takedown.
Habibi with a knee to the head.
Habibi lands a knee to the head.
Habibi stalling the fight.
Habibi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Katsumoto is trying to drag Habibi to the mat but Habibi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Habibi prevents the takedown attempt.
Habibi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Katsumoto avoids it.
Habibi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Habibi missing with knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Habibi tries to land a knee to the head but Katsumoto blocks with his arms.
Habibi trying to land knees to the body.
Habibi throws a knee to the head but misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Katsumoto wants a takedown but no success here.
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 Allah Habibi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Habibi lands a two punch combo.
Habibi moves in looking to clinch but Katsumoto pushes him off.
Katsumoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Habibi.

Habibi clinches up against the cage.
Katsumoto is trying to drag Habibi to the mat but Habibi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Habibi is pressed up against the cage. Katsumoto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Habibi down to the mat. Habibi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Habibi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Katsumoto.
Habibi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Katsumoto has Habibi up against the cage in a clinch.
Katsumoto wants a takedown but no success here.
Allah Habibi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Habibi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Habibi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Habibi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
A hook to the body from Habibi.
Katsumoto is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Habibi to work.
Habibi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Habibi working Katsumoto over with knees to the body.
Habibi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Katsumoto's face.
Habibi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Habibi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Katsumoto avoids it.
Habibi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Katsumoto is working for takedown but Habibi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Habibi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Katsumoto's face.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Habibi.
Habibi controlling the action here for a moment.
Habibi with a knee to the head.
Habibi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Katsumoto is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Habibi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Habibi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Katsumoto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Habibi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Katsumoto wants a takedown but no success here.
Katsumoto has Habibi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Habibi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Katsumoto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Habibi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Habibi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Habibi lands a nice knee to the body.
Habibi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Habibi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Katsumoto avoids it.
Habibi lands a good knee to the midsection. Katsumoto won't want to take too many of those.
Habibi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Allah Habibi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Habibi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Habibi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Habibi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Katsumoto's brow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Katsumoto has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Habibi after a bit of a struggle.
A nice left hand lands by Habibi.
Habibi misses with a knee strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Habibi.
Habibi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Habibi.
Katsumoto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Habibi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Habibi leaning against his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Habibi scores a nice knee to the body.
Habibi is pressed up against the cage. Katsumoto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Habibi down to the mat. Habibi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Habibi gets tackled into the cage by Katsumoto. Katsumoto maintains the clinch.
Habibi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Habibi misses with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Habibi.
Habibi stops a takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Habibi landing knees to the head.
Katsumoto is looking to take this one to the mat.
The referee is keeping an eye on Habibi - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Habibi lands a knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Habibi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Habibi lands a nice knee to the body.
Habibi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Allah Habibi dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Habibi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Habibi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Katsumoto.
Habibi has Katsumoto pushed against the cage.
Habibi working Katsumoto over with knees to the body.
Habibi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Habibi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Katsumoto in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Habibi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Habibi lands a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Habibi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Katsumoto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Habibi is stalling here.
Habibi seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Katsumoto is looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Habibi is struggling to control the position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Allah Habibi.
Katsumoto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Habibi doesn't manage to clinch there - Katsumoto circles away.
Habibi scores with a punch to the head.
Habibi tries to clinch but Katsumoto is having none of it.
Habibi scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Habibi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Habibi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sloppy strikes from Habibi. Those never looked like landing.
Allah Habibi is winning the standup battle so far.

Habibi closes the distance and clinches.
Katsumoto managing to block the knees to the body from Habibi.
Habibi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Katsumoto backwards.
A right hand to the body from Katsumoto.
Katsumoto looking for a takedown.
Allah Habibi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Katsumoto.
Habibi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Katsumoto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Habibi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Katsumoto avoids it.
Habibi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Katsumoto is defending well for now.
Katsumoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Habibi is pressed up against the cage. Katsumoto has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Habibi down to the mat. Habibi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Habibi pushes Katsumoto up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Habibi connects with a knee to the head.
Habibi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Katsumoto up against the cage.
Habibi misses with a knee to the head.
Katsumoto takes a knee right on the jaw!
Habibi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Habibi lands a nice knee to the body.
Habibi tries to land knees in the clinch but Katsumoto avoids the damage to the body.
Katsumoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The referee calls for Habibi to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Katsumoto has clasped his hands together around Habibi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Katsumoto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Katsumoto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Habibi wants to get back to his feet but Katsumoto drags him back down.
Katsumoto is looking to take a break and control but Habibi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Katsumoto is trying to get an arm triangle but Habibi is defending well.
Saku Katsumoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Allah Habibi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Katsumoto tries to advance to mount but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Allah Habibi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Habibi, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Allah Habibi!