PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sasa Rekic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nasir Israz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sasa Rekic has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Rekic
vs
Israz

200 cm
18
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sasa Rekic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nasir Israz!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Reed Andrews and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rekic swats away the attempt to clinch by Israz.

Israz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Israz stalling in the clinch.

Israz successfully pulls guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Rekic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rekic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Israz can't keep his opponent in guard - Rekic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Israz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rekic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rekic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Israz defending well though.
Israz is trying to maintain the position but Rekic is very close to passing his half guard.
Rekic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rekic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Israz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rekic is working away from the top position though.

Rekic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Israz manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rekic throwing strikes but missing.
Israz wants to stand but Rekic is controlling the position.
Rekic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Israz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Israz looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Rekic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rekic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rekic cracks Israz with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rekic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rekic scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Israz looking for a guillotine here but Rekic defends easily.
Rekic postures up in Israz's guard and throws a big left but Israz blocks it.
Rekic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Israz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Israz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rekic.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Israz has his hands on Rekic's head, controlling the position.
Israz is trying to keep Rekic in close.
Rekic throws a big right hand that misses.
Rekic throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rekic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Rekic 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.
Rekic is in close to Israz's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Rekic drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rekic jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rekic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Israz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rekic throws a big elbow that misses.
Israz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rekic drops back looking for a leg! Israz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Israz manages to kick Rekic off! Rekic jumps back into Israz's guard.
Rekic postures up and lands a big shot to Israz's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rekic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rekic postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Israz is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rekic, into his guard.
Israz slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Rekic has his foot on Israz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Israz works his way back into a safe position though.
Rekic is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Israz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rekic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Israz has managed to get both his arms back between Rekic's legs - danger averted.
Israz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rekic's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Israz shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rekic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Rekic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Israz defends it easily.

Israz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Israz trying to control the position from guard on top but Rekic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rekic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rekic working for a triangle but Israz defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!

Rekic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Israz trying to control but Rekic is working from the bottom.
Israz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rekic swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Rekic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Israz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Israz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rekic pinned against the cage. Rekic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Israz scores with a takedown into Rekic's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rekic looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Israz passes into half guard.
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!
Israz seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rekic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Israz trying to mount his opponent but Rekic defends it.
Israz is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Rekic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Israz throwing shots but Rekic is blocking nicely.
Rekic won't allow Israz to pass to mount.

Rekic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rekic looking for submissions off his back.
Israz content to control rather than advance.
Rekic is trying to stand back up but Israz is controlling him

Rekic looking for submissions off his back.
Israz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rekic looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rekic is not content to let Israz control the position.
Rekic 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.
Rekic scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Israz manages to mount him!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rekic is trying desperately to improve position.
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 Sasa Rekic will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rekic keeps the fight on the outside.

Israz gets caught napping as Rekic dives in and scores a takedown. Israz manages to retain guard.
Rekic with a nice head shot there.
Israz wants to sweep but no luck.
Rekic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Israz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rekic is in close to Israz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rekic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Israz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rekic.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rekic scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sasa Rekic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rekic throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rekic tries to free his leg and advance position but Israz is retaining full guard.
Israz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Israz 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.
Rekic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rekic throwing strikes but missing.
Rekic postures up.
Rekic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rekic keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Israz's head.
Rekic stands up over Israz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rekic landing some decent shots from guard.
Israz looking to control.
Rekic postures up and lands a big shot to Israz's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rekic drops back looking for a leg! Israz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Israz manages to kick Rekic off! Rekic jumps back into Israz's guard.
Rekic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Israz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rekic is looking to work some ground and pound but Israz has wrist control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rekic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Israz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Israz looking for a sweep. Not yet Israz, not yet.
Rekic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Israz is keeping the position for now.
Rekic stands up over Israz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Rekic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Israz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rekic has managed to get both his arms back between Israz's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Israz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rekic scoring with some ground and pound.
Rekic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rekic distracts Israz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rekic scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rekic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

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

Rekic working for a triangle but Israz defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rekic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rekic is looking to stand up but Israz isn't so interested in that idea.

Rekic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rekic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Israz trying to control but Rekic is working from the bottom.
Nasir Israz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Israz makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sasa Rekic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rekic, 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Sasa Rekic!
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight for Sasa Rekic!
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight for Sasa Rekic!

Sasa Rekic wins by unanimous decision!