PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Farouk Al Ahwei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aznar Thrul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Ahwei's entrance music is Whirling Madness. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Al Ahwei
vs
Thrul

175 cm
26
160 lbs
9 - 12 - 1

189 cm
30
170 lbs
24 - 27 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Farouk Al Ahwei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 27 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aznar Thrul!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Ahwei scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Thrul doesn't seem bothered though.
Thrul throws a leg kick but Al Ahwei moved away.
Al Ahwei throws a jab when Thrul was well out of range.
Farouk Al Ahwei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Ahwei misses with a hook.
Al Ahwei throws a body kick that misses.
Thrul pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Al Ahwei half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Thrul misses with a series of wild punches.
Thrul looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Al Ahwei throws a body punch but Thrul moves out of range.
Al Ahwei misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thrul lets loose with a powerful body kick. Al Ahwei will feel that in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Thrul does it's job there.
Crunch! Thrul slams his shin into Al Ahwei's torso.
Thrul does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Al Ahwei throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
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!
Thrul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Ahwei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Ahwei scores with a jab to the jaw.
That kick from Al Ahwei tenderised Thrul's leg. Thrul is trying to keep his angry face on.
Al Ahwei shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Thrul connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Al Ahwei blocks a low kick nicely.
Al Ahwei attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Al Ahwei with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Al Ahwei misses with a low kick.
Al Ahwei misses with a body kick.
Thrul throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Ahwei sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thrul throws a leg kick that is checked

and Al Ahwei counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Thrul being controlled here, momentarily.
Al Ahwei looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrul is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Al Ahwei tries to free his leg and advance position but Thrul is retaining full guard.
Thrul keeping moving, preventing Al Ahwei from controlling successfully.

Thrul working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Al Ahwei doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Al Ahwei manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!
Thrul keeping moving, preventing Al Ahwei from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thrul working a defensive guard here.
Al Ahwei preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thrul has his foot on Al Ahwei's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Ahwei works his way back into a safe position though.

Al Ahwei avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thrul is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Al Ahwei defends well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Al Ahwei works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Al Ahwei is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thrul has managed to free his arm - good work.

Al Ahwei seems to be working for a kimura but Thrul defends the submission attempt.
Thrul gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrul throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Thrul bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Ahwei's guard.

Thrul makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Al Ahwei tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Ahwei is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thrul with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Al Ahwei working for a triangle but Thrul defends it easily.
Thrul stopping the sweep attempt from Al Ahwei.
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 Farouk Al Ahwei will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Al Ahwei throws a leg kick but Thrul sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Thrul ducks under a wild hook from Al Ahwei.
A swing and a miss from Al Ahwei.
Thrul throws a wild body kick that Al Ahwei sees coming a mile off.
Al Ahwei moves out of range of the strikes.
Al Ahwei slips a straight right by Thrul.
Al Ahwei feinted with a counter takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Thrul.
Aznar Thrul has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thrul is looking to take a break and control but Al Ahwei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Al Ahwei gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thrul lands a nice short elbow.
Al Ahwei is refusing to be controlled, as Thrul sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Ahwei regains full guard. Nicely done.
Al Ahwei seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Thrul lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Al Ahwei is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Al Ahwei keeping moving, preventing Thrul from controlling successfully.
Thrul is pushing down on Al Ahwei's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Ahwei is fighting to maintain full guard but Thrul has managed to sneak the leg through.

Al Ahwei is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thrul pulls his head out easily.
Thrul lands strikes from half guard.
Thrul seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Al Ahwei does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Al Ahwei trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrul working over Al Ahwei with some ground and pound. Al Ahwei looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Farouk Al Ahwei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thrul controlling the action here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thrul lands a nice short elbow.
Al Ahwei is pressing down on Thrul's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Thrul won't allow Al Ahwei to sweep him here.
Al Ahwei avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Al Ahwei has momentary wrist control but Thrul slips an elbow through the middle.
Thrul postures up and lands a big shot to Al Ahwei's brow.
Thrul trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Ahwei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Ahwei working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thrul.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Ahwei looking to hit a scissor sweep but Thrul is one step ahead there.

Al Ahwei has an active guard here but Thrul has managed to pass into half guard.
Thrul is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thrul lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Thrul trying to control the action but Al Ahwei is working from the bottom.
Al Ahwei is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thrul scores with a couple of nice shots.
Al Ahwei is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thrul scores with a couple of nice shots.
Thrul scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrul content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Thrul takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Al Ahwei actively working from the bottom here.
Thrul lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Al Ahwei is looking to improve his position.
Thrul is looking to advance position but Al Ahwei won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thrul blocks the strikes from Al Ahwei.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aznar Thrul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Aznar Thrul!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Aznar Thrul!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Aznar Thrul!

Aznar Thrul wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Aznar Thrul rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
Farouk Al Ahwei was interviewed post fight and said 'Once again, I hang my head in shame, again.'.