PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Raul Odonnell (ranked 6032 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Ajan (ranked 25730 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali Ajan looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Odonnell
vs
Ajan

212 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
18
130 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Raul Odonnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ali Ajan!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ajan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Ajan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Odonnell is pulling down on Ajan's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Odonnell's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Ajan is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odonnell utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ajan is looking to advance position but Odonnell has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Odonnell tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Ajan manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Odonnell is looking for a kimura but Ajan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Odonnell to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Odonnell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ajan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Odonnell.
Ajan gets back to full guard.
Odonnell distracts Ajan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Odonnell working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Odonnell prevents Ajan from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajan trying to control the position.

Odonnell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ajan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ajan has escaped and now he's on top!

Odonnell pulls Ajan in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Odonnell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ajan.
Odonnell is pulling down on Ajan's head to control his posture.
Ajan looking to pass the guard.
Odonnell has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ajan postures up in Odonnell's guard and throws a big left but Odonnell blocks it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Odonnell avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Ajan dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Odonnell has Ajan up against the cage in a clinch.

Ajan works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Odonnell controlling Ajan's posture.
Ajan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ajan wants to control from the top but Odonnell keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Odonnell will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Odonnell is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odonnell has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Odonnell wants to sweep but no luck.
Ajan wants to control from the top but Odonnell keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Odonnell gets a takedown into half guard.
Odonnell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ajan is trying to maintain the position but Odonnell is very close to passing his half guard.
Ajan is trying to stand.
Ajan wants to improve his position but Odonnell is controlling well.
Ajan trying to control but Odonnell postures up.
Ajan is breathing heavily.
Odonnell tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Odonnell is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ajan sees it coming and defends easily.
Odonnell passes into side control, despite Ajan's attempt to control the position.

Odonnell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Odonnell lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ajan regains half guard.
Ajan trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Odonnell manages to pass to mount!
Ajan is looking to improve his position but Odonnell isn't that keen on the idea.

Odonnell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ajan has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ajan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Odonnell dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ajan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Odonnell did well to prevent Ajan getting side control.
Odonnell is holding on to half guard well.
Odonnell manages to get to full guard.
Odonnell trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ajan should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ajan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ajan throws a leg kick that misses.
Odonnell avoids the head kick by Ajan.
Ajan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ajan gets a takedown into half guard.
Odonnell trying to control but Ajan postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell is concentrating on defense, preventing Ajan from advancing position.

Odonnell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Odonnell is refusing to be controlled, as Ajan sits in half guard.
Ajan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Odonnell defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ajan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Odonnell's head.
Odonnell is not content to let Ajan control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Odonnell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ajan is fending him off so far but Odonnell persists. Nope, Ajan circles away and we're back to standing.

Odonnell closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ajan quickly recovers to half guard.
Ajan is trying to get back to full guard.
Ajan has hold of Odonnell's hands but Odonnell slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ajan keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ajan tries to kick Odonnell off but Odonnell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Odonnell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ajan wants to control but Odonnell passes into side.

Odonnell stands up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ajan throws a head kick but Odonnell moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ali Ajan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ajan 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Ajan!