PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luther Broad (ranked 2103 p4p, 234 weight class) and Malik El Shabazz (ranked 2485 p4p, 275 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Broad
vs
El Shabazz

192 cm
19
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Sportivité

Sportivité
Big Chief Nutrition & Laundry Services (80%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Luther Broad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Malik El Shabazz!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Shabazz connects with a solid leg kick.
Broad moves to clinch but El Shabazz breaks away
and El Shabazz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
El Shabazz misses with a low kick as Broad jumps back.
El Shabazz pulls out of a head kick attempt.
El Shabazz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Broad throws out the jab.
El Shabazz is looking to slow Broad down with leg kicks.
Broad tries to clinch but El Shabazz moves out of range.
El Shabazz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Broad misses with an uppercut
and El Shabazz makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Broad really felt that one!
Broad lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Broad misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Broad has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Broad there as he acknowledges the shot.
El Shabazz scores with a kick to the body.
Good shot there by El Shabazz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Broad misses with a hook
and El Shabazz counters with a lovely straight right hand!
El Shabazz throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz sizes up Broad with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Broad connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Broad misses with a hook
and El Shabazz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
El Shabazz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
El Shabazz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Broad throws out the jab.
Nice straight punches there by El Shabazz. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of El Shabazz.
El Shabazz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
El Shabazz looks to land a body kick but Broad moved away.
El Shabazz keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Broad looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
El Shabazz looks to throw the jab but Broad is out of range.
Broad throwing a counter right hand but El Shabazz manages to avoid it.
Broad takes a swing at El Shabazz's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from El Shabazz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Broad swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Broad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Broad stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
El Shabazz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Broad throws a head punch that misses.
Broad jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as El Shabazz walks away with a smile on his face. Broad gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
El Shabazz misses with a head kick.
El Shabazz throws a leg kick but Broad sees it coming and checks it nicely.
El Shabazz looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A big right from El Shabazz misses.
A head kick misses from El Shabazz.
Broad throws a shot to the body.
A big left from El Shabazz misses.
Broad is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz tries to land a front kick but Broad steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
El Shabazz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Broad. Broad circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
El Shabazz misses with a straight left.
El Shabazz cracks a nice hook into Broad's ribs.
A big left from El Shabazz misses.
El Shabazz connects with a body shot that sends Broad's belly button to the back.
Broad slips a straight right by El Shabazz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broad staying out of range there.
Broad throws the left hand but El Shabazz avoids the punch easily.
Broad misses with a hook. El Shabazz ducked under it nicely.
El Shabazz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Broad under the eye.
El Shabazz takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Malik El Shabazz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Broad takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
El Shabazz takes a swing at Broad's ribcage but misses.
El Shabazz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Broad misses with a straight left.
El Shabazz let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Broad tries to clinch but El Shabazz is having none of it.
El Shabazz keeps the fight on the outside.
El Shabazz throws a low kick but Broad avoids it.
A counter left hand to the body from Broad misses its target.
El Shabazz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Broad ducks under a wild hook from El Shabazz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a low kick but Broad avoids it.
El Shabazz misses with an uppercut.
El Shabazz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A big right from El Shabazz misses.
Broad takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
El Shabazz connects with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
El Shabazz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A left lands for Broad.
Broad on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Broad slips a straight right by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz just misses with a punch to the body.
Broad tries to close the distance and clinch but El Shabazz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Broad swings widly with a right hand
and El Shabazz counters with a nice leg kick.
El Shabazz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Broad.
El Shabazz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A swing and a miss from Broad.
Broad misses with a straight left.
El Shabazz looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
El Shabazz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Broad's head backwards.
Broad throws out a loose jab but El Shabazz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Broad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as El Shabazz throws out the jab.
Broad bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - El Shabazz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice defenses there by El Shabazz.
Jab by El Shabazz.
Broad on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by El Shabazz. El Shabazz obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz staying out of range there.
Nice jab there from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz feints and then cracks Broad's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Broad down.
El Shabazz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Broad in his tracks.
Broad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Broad is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from El Shabazz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some bone on bone action there as Broad checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Broad moves out of range of the body kick.
Broad bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of El Shabazz's head.
El Shabazz throws out a powerful jab.
El Shabazz throws a wild body kick that Broad sees coming a mile off.
El Shabazz jabs Broad to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Broad takes a swing at El Shabazz's ribcage but misses.
Good leg kick by El Shabazz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Broad tries to clinch up but El Shabazz circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circling - Broad throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Broad takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body kick there by El Shabazz.
Good shot there by El Shabazz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for El Shabazz.
Broad is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
El Shabazz scores with a nice head shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Broad takes a jab right on the kisser.
El Shabazz tried to score with a low kick but Broad checks it.
Broad swings for the body but El Shabazz moves out of range.
El Shabazz throws out a counter right but Broad avoids it with no problem.
Broad tries to clinch up.
El Shabazz swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Broad to counter with a crisp jab.
A lazy body kick from El Shabazz

and Broad counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Broad.
El Shabazz looking to throw knees to the head but Broad is blocking nicely.
El Shabazz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Broad has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Broad jumps into guard, dragging El Shabazz to the mat.
El Shabazz's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Broad is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Broad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. El Shabazz is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Broad is looking for a triangle but El Shabazz pushes his legs off easily.
El Shabazz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

Broad is looking for a triangle but El Shabazz pushes his legs off easily.
El Shabazz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
El Shabazz is continuing to stall.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Broad is looking for a triangle but El Shabazz pushes his legs off easily.
El Shabazz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
El Shabazz won't allow Broad to sweep him here.

Broad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but El Shabazz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
El Shabazz 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.

Broad had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. El Shabazz defends it easily.
El Shabazz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Broad is trying to control the position from the bottom.
El Shabazz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik El Shabazz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

El Shabazz blocks a jab.
El Shabazz throws a nice head kick!
Broad tries to clinch but El Shabazz moves away
and El Shabazz counters with a good, hard body kick but Broad shrugs it off.
Broad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz scoring well with a low kick there.
Broad throws a lazy uppercut
and El Shabazz counters with an inside leg kick.
A jab lands there for Broad.
Broad swings widly with a right hand
and El Shabazz counters with an outside leg kick.
El Shabazz thows a body kick. Broad tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Broad misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
El Shabazz throws a front kick that sends Broad stumbling back into the cage.
El Shabazz pushes Broad away with a front kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Broad steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from El Shabazz. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broad throws out a loose jab but El Shabazz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Broad is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
El Shabazz throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Broad forces El Shabazz back against the cage and clinches.
El Shabazz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Broad blocks it with crossed arms.

El Shabazz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
El Shabazz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
El Shabazz lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
El Shabazz swings for the body but Broad moves out of range.
Broad swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
El Shabazz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Broad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
El Shabazz throws out a loose jab but Broad uses good head movement to avoid it.
El Shabazz is looking to score with low kicks.
Broad lands a nice shot to the body.
El Shabazz scoring well with a low kick there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a leg kick
and Broad counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Broad moves into the clinch.
Broad working aggressively here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
El Shabazz throws a knee to the head but misses.
El Shabazz misses with a knee strike.
El Shabazz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
El Shabazz tries to break free but Broad pushes him back against the cage.
Broad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Broad can't find room to land a body shot as El Shabazz controls the action.
Broad tries to throw a body punch but El Shabazz avoids it by throwing Broad back against the cage.

Broad manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
El Shabazz wants to control from the top but Broad keeps moving.

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

Broad looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
El Shabazz engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Broad looking for a guillotine here but El Shabazz defends easily.

Broad throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
El Shabazz looking to pass the guard.
El Shabazz passes Broad's left leg - he's now in half guard.
El Shabazz perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
El Shabazz trying to pass the guard but Broad defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Broad looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Broad looking for submissions off his back.

Broad looking for submissions off his back.
Broad wants to control but El Shabazz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
El Shabazz is controlling the pace.
Broad manages to get to full guard.
El Shabazz 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik El Shabazz really dominated that round.
That's time! Broad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Broad scores with a nice strike.
A head kick misses from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz throws a body punch but Broad moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Broad misses the target.
El Shabazz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
El Shabazz is looking to land body kicks.
El Shabazz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Broad takes the fight into the clinch.

Broad has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics El Shabazz uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz wants to control from the top but Broad keeps moving.
Luther Broad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Broad working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because El Shabazz has passed into half guard!
El Shabazz content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Broad looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with El Shabazz in particular looking to stall.

Broad looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and El Shabazz pushes past his half guard into mount!
El Shabazz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
El Shabazz trying to control but Broad is having none of it.
Broad is trying to reverse the position but instead El Shabazz has taken his back - oops!
Broad is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz avoiding Broad 's attempts to control his hands.
I really don't envy Broad right now.
Broad is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by El Shabazz.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I really don't envy Broad right now.
El Shabazz is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The adventures of El Shabazz the control monster continue. Boring.
El Shabazz's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Broad tries to roll but El Shabazz sticks to his back.
Broad trying to control the hands but El Shabazz breaks the grip.
Good control from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz not allowing Broad to control his hands.
Broad tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Broad keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
El Shabazz takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Broad can't escape the position.
El Shabazz controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Broad tries to hold on but El Shabazz pushes him away.
Broad working to try and regain half guard.
Broad tries to lock up and control but El Shabazz gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Broad is wriggling around trying to escape.
Broad wants to control but El Shabazz is having none of it.
El Shabazz trying to control but Broad is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
El Shabazz moves to back control.
Broad trying to control the hands but El Shabazz won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik El Shabazz dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

El Shabazz lands a right hook to the body.
Broad moves out of range of the body kick from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
El Shabazz lands with a nice body punch.
El Shabazz throws a lazy uppercut
and Broad counters with a stiff right hand.
Broad swings for the body but El Shabazz moves out of range.
Broad walks into a straight right hand from El Shabazz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Shabazz lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Broad connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between El Shabazz's hands.
El Shabazz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Broad misses with a left hand
and El Shabazz counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Broad takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Broad scores with a punch to the head.
El Shabazz misses with an uppercut.
Broad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
El Shabazz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Broad.
El Shabazz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jab from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz scores with a hook to the body. Broad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
El Shabazz scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Broad throws a hook but El Shabazz blocks it.
El Shabazz goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Broad takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Broad avoids a kick to the body.
Broad swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Luther Broad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz throws a poor cross that misses
letting Broad counter with a right hand.
El Shabazz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Broad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Broad blocks a head kick by El Shabazz.
El Shabazz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Broad swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Broad staying out of range there.
El Shabazz looks to land a left hand but Broad moved out of range nicely.
El Shabazz wants to slow Broad down by chopping away at his legs.
Broad throwing a counter right hand but El Shabazz manages to avoid it.
El Shabazz misses with a body shot.
El Shabazz lands an overhand right.
Broad throws out a loose jab but El Shabazz uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from El Shabazz on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
El Shabazz misses with a lunging right hand
letting Broad counter with a right hand.
Malik El Shabazz seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Shabazz looks to throw the jab but Broad is out of range.
Broad throws a body punch but El Shabazz moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Broad throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
El Shabazz circles away from the clinch attempt.
El Shabazz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Broad was well out of range. Poor timing from El Shabazz.
El Shabazz delivers a nice body kick.
Broad wants to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Broad misses the target.
El Shabazz follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Broad missing with a left hand there. El Shabazz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Broad throws an overhand right that lands on El Shabazz's shoulder, as El Shabazz tries to avoid the shot.
A jab lands there for El Shabazz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Broad drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Broad will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Broad throws the left hand but El Shabazz avoids the punch easily.
El Shabazz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Broad looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
El Shabazz is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
El Shabazz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Broad's hands.
El Shabazz lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
El Shabazz scores with a nice right hand.
El Shabazz misses with a body kick.
El Shabazz throws a head kick that misses
enabling Broad to counter with a crisp jab.
El Shabazz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Malik El Shabazz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Broad takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
El Shabazz throws a chopping leg kick but Broad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
El Shabazz cracks Broad with a good jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malik El Shabazz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got El Shabazz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malik El Shabazz!
Malik El Shabazz is the new middleweight champion!
Malik El Shabazz managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sportivité, into his post fight interview.