PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reynard Acaleem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Sahebt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Acaleem
vs
Sahebt

170 cm
26
168 lbs
4 - 0 - 1

178 cm
23
160 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent knees
Solid 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 4 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Reynard Acaleem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Sahebt!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sahebt fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Acaleem to the ground. Sahebt is now in Acaleem's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Sahebt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Acaleem works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sahebt drops back looking for a leg! Acaleem is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Acaleem manages to kick Sahebt off! Sahebt jumps back into Acaleem's guard.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sahebt wants to control from the top but Acaleem keeps moving.
Sahebt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Acaleem has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sahebt off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Sahebt looking to score a takedown here. Acaleem is defending well but Sahebt drives through and ends up in Acaleem's guard.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from getting back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Acaleem kicks Sahebt off and gets to his feet.
Sahebt slaps away a takedown attempt from Acaleem, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Acaleem shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sahebt as he jumps to the side.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Acaleem enables Sahebt to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Acaleem manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Acaleem kicks Sahebt off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acaleem looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Acaleem is breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sahebt is on top in guard.
Sahebt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sahebt throws a big right hand that misses.
Sahebt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sahebt 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.

Sahebt drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sahebt jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sahebt throws a big right hand that misses.
Sahebt wants to control from the top but Acaleem keeps moving.
Acaleem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sahebt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Acaleem is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sahebt is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sahebt slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sahebt won't allow Acaleem to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Acaleem leaves Sahebt with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sahebt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Acaleem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reynard Acaleem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sahebt fails with a takedown attempt.

Sahebt moves into range and clinches up with Acaleem.
Sahebt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Acaleem fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Acaleem fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sahebt to the ground. Acaleem is now in Sahebt's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sahebt is looking for a triangle but Acaleem pushes his legs off easily.
Acaleem is looking to work some ground and pound but Sahebt has wrist control.
Sahebt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Acaleem.
Acaleem working some strikes from top position.
Acaleem lands a couple of elbows.
Sahebt manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Acaleem manages to get himself to full guard.
Sahebt trying to control but Acaleem is working from the bottom.
Acaleem is looking to stand up but Sahebt isn't so interested in that idea.

Sahebt 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 four minutes gone in the round.

Sahebt 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.
Acaleem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sahebt.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from getting back to his feet.
Sahebt wants to control from the top but Acaleem keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sahebt controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sahebt is looking to work some ground and pound but Acaleem has wrist control.
Sahebt passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Check out the look on Sahebt's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Sahebt is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Acaleem is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sahebt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Sahebt is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Acaleem has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Sahebt dominated that round.
That's time! Acaleem's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sahebt crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Acaleem - the referee stops the clock and Sahebt gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Acaleem. Sahebt manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sahebt shoots in for a double leg but Acaleem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sahebt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Acaleem defends it nicely.
Sahebt will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Reynard Acaleem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Sahebt.

Sahebt instigates a clinch.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from breaking the clinch.
Acaleem wants to break free but Sahebt has control.
Sahebt tries to score a body lock takedown but Acaleem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Acaleem has had enough of the clinch but Sahebt keeps him there for the moment.
Acaleem tries to break the clinch but Sahebt is controlling the position.
Sahebt is looking to take this one to the mat.
Acaleem tries to break free but Sahebt pushes him back against the cage.
Acaleem wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Acaleem is looking to break free of the clinch but Sahebt has double underhooks.

Sahebt jumps into guard, dragging Acaleem to the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Acaleem in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sahebt looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sahebt is breathing heavily.
Acaleem works over Sahebt with some ground and pound from guard.
Acaleem lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Acaleem content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Acaleem lands a couple of elbows.
Acaleem distracts Sahebt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Acaleem makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Acaleem distracts Sahebt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Acaleem working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sahebt's head.
Acaleem scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Acaleem content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Acaleem with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acaleem working some strikes from top position.
Acaleem throws an elbow that misses. Sahebt uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Acaleem's guard. Nice move by Sahebt!
Sahebt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sahebt trying to control the position from guard on top but Acaleem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from getting back to his feet.
Sahebt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Acaleem swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Acaleem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sahebt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Acaleem is looking to stand up but Sahebt isn't so interested in that idea.
Sahebt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sahebt wants to control from the top but Acaleem keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sahebt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Reynard Acaleem overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sahebt prevents Acaleem from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sahebt fails with a takedown attempt.
Acaleem tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Acaleem fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Acaleem gets the takedown into side control.
Acaleem throws an elbow but Sahebt slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sahebt tries to bench press Acaleem off him but Acaleem keeps the position.
Acaleem working away.
Acaleem throws an elbow but Sahebt slips to the side and avoids it well.
Acaleem scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sahebt takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Acaleem sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sahebt is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Acaleem.
Acaleem cracks Sahebt with a big elbow.
Sahebt on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sahebt takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Acaleem throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sahebt managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Acaleem.
Sahebt is looking to regain half guard here but Acaleem keeps moving and retains side control.
The ground and pound from Acaleem seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Acaleem lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reynard Acaleem dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're 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.

Acaleem stuffs the takedown attempt from Sahebt. Sahebt gets slowly back to his feet.
Sahebt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Acaleem.
Acaleem throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sahebt's waist but Sahebt gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Acaleem off to one side.
Acaleem doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sahebt counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Acaleem is lucky that one didn't land flush.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reynard Acaleem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sahebt shoots in and gets a takedown into Acaleem's guard.
Sahebt postures up in Acaleem's guard and throws a big left but Acaleem blocks it.
Sahebt trying to control the position from guard on top but Acaleem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Acaleem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sahebt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Acaleem is keeping the position for now.
Acaleem is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Acaleem utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sahebt throwing strikes but missing.
Acaleem keeping full guard, as Sahebt tries to pass.
Acaleem is wriggling around but Sahebt manages to pass to half guard.

Sahebt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Acaleem looks like he's trying to stand up.

Sahebt seems to be looking for submissions.

Sahebt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Acaleem is just riding it out for now. Sahebt eventually gives up the hold.
Sahebt sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Acaleem defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sahebt is trying to work for a kimura but Acaleem is defending well.

Sahebt is trying to work for a kimura but Acaleem is defending well.
Acaleem is trying to stand.

Sahebt is working for a submission of some sort.
Acaleem wants to get back to his feet.
Acaleem trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Sahebt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Acaleem kicks Sahebt off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sahebt shoots in and bounces Acaleem off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Acaleem wants to stand but Sahebt is controlling the position.
Sahebt trying to control the position from guard on top but Acaleem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sahebt stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Acaleem swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Acaleem keeping moving, preventing Sahebt from controlling successfully.
Acaleem wants to stand up but Sahebt is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sahebt trying to control but Acaleem is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Johnny Sahebt.
Acaleem shoots in but Sahebt avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acaleem shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sahebt pinned against the cage. Sahebt gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sahebt shoots in and bounces Acaleem off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Acaleem is working an open guard so Sahebt takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Acaleem shoots in for a double leg but Sahebt sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Acaleem displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sahebt.

Sahebt shoots in and bounces Acaleem off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Sahebt drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sahebt jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sahebt trying to control the position from guard on top but Acaleem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Sahebt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sahebt has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Sahebt!
Johnny Sahebt spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.