PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malik Shabazz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damon Wilcott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilcott has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx2raP3P3FQ as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shabazz
vs
Wilcott

189 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malik Shabazz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damon Wilcott!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Columbo Gatti and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilcott tries a head kick but it misses.
Wilcott will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shabazz avoids the head kick by Wilcott.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wilcott looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Shabazz clinches up against the cage.
Shabazz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wilcott is defending well for now.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shabazz.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wilcott is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wilcott managing to block the knees to the body from Shabazz.
Wilcott tries to pull guard but Shabazz holds him up against the cage and eventually Wilcott drops back down to his feet.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shabazz obliges.
Shabazz is pushing Wilcott up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wilcott blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilcott wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shabazz has him pressed against the cage.
Shabazz scores a nice knee to the body.
Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilcott avoids the damage to the body.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wilcott is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shabazz is defending well for now.
Shabazz lands a good knee to the midsection. Wilcott won't want to take too many of those.
Wilcott looks winded!
Shabazz slows down the pace here.
Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilcott is trying to force a seperation but Shabazz has the dominant position.
Shabazz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wilcott.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcott is trying to force a seperation but Shabazz has the dominant position.
Wilcott wants to get back to striking at distance but Shabazz won't allow it.
Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wilcott avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wilcott blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Wilcott tries to circle away but Shabazz has him pinned against the cage.
Shabazz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Wilcott jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shabazz walks away with a smile on his face. Wilcott gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Malik Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damon Wilcott.
Shabazz throws an off balance right hand
and Wilcott counters with a series of strikes. Shabazz will be more careful next time no doubt.

Shabazz has managed to clinch.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wilcott avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilcott trying to land knees to the body.
Shabazz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilcott avoids the damage to the body.
Wilcott is trying to pull guard but Shabazz has him pressed against the cage.
Wilcott has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shabazz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilcott managing to block the knees to the body from Shabazz.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilcott is looking for a takedown.
Wilcott is looking to control Shabazz's arms but Shabazz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Wilcott has his back to the cage.
Wilcott jumps guard but Shabazz turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Shabazz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wilcott is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilcott tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shabazz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shabazz lands a knee to the body.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.
Wilcott takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
Shabazz landing knees to the body.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilcott letting Shabazz take a breather here.
Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilcott avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wilcott tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wilcott is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik Shabazz dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Wilcott looks to land a combination but Shabazz avoids it well.
Wilcott changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shabazz tries to avoid it but Wilcott manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shabazz to the ground. Shabazz escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Shabazz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.
Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilcott avoids the damage to the body.
Wilcott tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Shabazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wilcott has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.
Shabazz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wilcott is defending well for now.
Shabazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wilcott has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wilcott managing to block the knees to the body from Shabazz.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
Wilcott misses with an elbow over the top.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Wilcott drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shabazz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Shabazz. No joy for Wilcott on that attempt.
Malik Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damon Wilcott.
Wilcott is breathing heavily.
Wilcott misses with a takedown attempt - Shabazz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Shabazz has closed the distance and engaged Wilcott in a clinch.
Shabazz scores with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks it.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks with his arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shabazz as Wilcott tries to tie him up.
Shabazz tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilcott avoids the damage to the body.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shabazz.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.

Wilcott pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wilcott shoots in and drives through. Shabazz sprawls well.
Wilcott shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shabazz as he jumps to the side.
Shabazz looks to score with a jab to the body but Wilcott is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz throws a low kick, looking for Wilcott's leg but Wilcott calmly moves out of range.
Wilcott shoots for a double leg takedown but Shabazz sprawls well. He's pushed Wilcott's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shabazz misses with a looping left.
Shabazz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wilcott.
Shabazz throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Wilcott blocks a low kick nicely.
Shabazz shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Shabazz takes the fight into the clinch.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz prevents the takedown attempt.
Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks with his arms.
Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks it.
Shabazz missing with knees to the body.
Wilcott tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shabazz has Wilcott pressed against the cage.
Wilcott tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shabazz smiles and moves away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Shabazz moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik Shabazz dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shabazz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wilcott.
Shabazz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shabazz throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Wilcott avoids the body shot from Shabazz.
Nice sprawl there from Shabazz as Wilcott shoots in.
Shabazz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wilcott throws out the jab.
Shabazz throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shabazz blocks a head kick by Wilcott.
Wilcott takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wilcott dives in and grabs Shabazz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shabazz pushes down on Wilcott's head and hops out.
Wilcott keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shabazz. Wilcott does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wilcott tries to keep at a distance but Shabazz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.
Shabazz has Wilcott pressed against the cage, preventing Wilcott from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wilcott blocks it with crossed arms.
Stalling in the clinch from Shabazz.

Wilcott pulls guard effortlessly.
Shabazz is looking to pass into half guard but Wilcott pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Wilcott is in guard.
Wilcott throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shabazz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wilcott tries to free his leg and advance position but Shabazz is retaining full guard.
Shabazz is trying to control the position but Wilcott postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcott throws a big elbow that misses.

Malik Shabazz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Wilcott scores with a push kick.
Shabazz tries to work over Wilcott's front leg with a kick but Wilcott checks it.
Wilcott moves away from the strike by Shabazz.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Wilcott checks a leg kick.
Shabazz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Damon Wilcott is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wilcott throws a right and a left that both miss.

Shabazz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wilcott takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz tries to land a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks with his arms.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but Wilcott blocks it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shabazz.
Shabazz missing with knees to the body.
Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wilcott on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wilcott tries to pull guard but Shabazz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Malik Shabazz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damon Wilcott.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.
Shabazz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wilcott is trying to pull guard but Shabazz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shabazz scores with a knee to the head.
Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Wilcott is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shabazz has Wilcott pressed against the cage.
Shabazz misses with a knee to the head.
Wilcott avoiding damage as Shabazz throws knees to the body.

Wilcott breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Malik Shabazz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wilcott looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Shabazz forces Wilcott back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shabazz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wilcott.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shabazz leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wilcott tries to pull guard but Shabazz won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malik Shabazz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shabazz, 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik Shabazz!