PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jihadi Joseph (ranked 973 p4p, 990 weight class) and Herve Cabrera (ranked 110 p4p, 112 weight class). Jihadi Joseph has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Joseph
vs
Cabrera

175 cm
23
145
5 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
145
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

88 Fight Club Clothing $50-$100& Laundry 20%
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jihadi Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Herve Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Winston Howard and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cabrera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cabrera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Joseph can pounce on him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Joseph. Cabrera does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cabrera slips under a jab from Joseph.
Jihadi Joseph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joseph looks to throw the jab but Cabrera is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Cabrera.
Joseph misses with a head kick.
Joseph throws out a loose jab but Cabrera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joseph lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cabrera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cabrera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joseph.
A little jabbing left from Cabrera on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cabrera misses with a straight left.
Cabrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Joseph was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabrera.
Joseph throws a hook but Cabrera blocks it.
Joseph thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cabrera throws a hook but Joseph avoids it easily.
Joseph tries a low kick but Cabrera avoids it.
Cabrera stuns Joseph with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Cabrera.
Joseph walks into a stiff left hand from Cabrera.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cabrera has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Joseph misses with a body shot.
Cabrera throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cabrera checks a leg kick.
Joseph dodges the punch combination from Cabrera.
Joseph appears to be looking for a big counter.
Joseph scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cabrera in his tracks.
Joseph finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cabrera misses the shot to the body.
Joseph ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Joseph misses the shot to the body.
Joseph keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cabrera.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cabrera avoids the body shot from Joseph.
Cabrera swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cabrera throws a low kick but Joseph avoids it.
Cabrera closes the distance and clinches up with Joseph, looking for a takedown. Cabrera pushes Joseph against the cage but Joseph circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jihadi Joseph is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Joseph sizes up Cabrera with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Joseph with a nice cross.
Nice cross by Cabrera.
Cabrera throws a hook to the side of Joseph's head but Joseph sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cabrera jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Joseph moves into range and connects with a jab.
Joseph feints and then cracks Cabrera's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cabrera down.
Joseph throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cabrera throws a low kick but Joseph moves out of range easily.
Cabrera throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cabrera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cabrera lands a jab to Joseph's midsection.
Cabrera lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice defenses there by Joseph.
Cabrera takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A lazy left from Cabrera finds it's target.
Joseph loads up on a big right hand but Cabrera slips the punch.
Cabrera loads up on a big right hand but Joseph slips the punch.
Joseph throws an overhand right that lands on Cabrera's shoulder, as Cabrera tries to avoid the shot.
Cabrera changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Joseph lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Joseph misses with a looping right.
Joseph thuds his shin into the meat of Cabrera's side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cabrera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera looks to score with a jab to the body but Joseph is just out of range.
Joseph looks to throw the jab but Cabrera is out of range.
Joseph wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cabrera missing with a left hand there. Joseph was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Joseph punishes Cabrera's body with a nice straight punch.
Joseph turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Joseph is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cabrera.
Cabrera throws a shot from downtown. Joseph moves away and avoids it.
A cross from Cabrera lands.
Joseph throws a jab when Cabrera was well out of range.
Joseph looks to land a right hand but Cabrera moved out of range.
Cabrera throws a body punch but Joseph moves out of range.
Cabrera fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cabrera fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jihadi Joseph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herve Cabrera.
Joseph misses with a straight right.
Donk. Cabrera catches Joseph right on the button with a cross.

Joseph closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Joseph gets underhooks to prevent Cabrera's takedown attempt.
Cabrera prevents a body shot from Joseph.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph blocks an uppercut.
Joseph throws a head punch that misses.

Cabrera is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Joseph can't fight it off and eventually Cabrera manages to take the fight to the floor. Joseph looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Joseph working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cabrera.
Cabrera passes into half guard.
Cabrera works his foot free and advances to mount.
Joseph manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cabrera wants to pass the guard but Joseph is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jihadi Joseph will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Joseph fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cabrera lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Joseph circles away quickly and effectively.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Cabrera.
Cabrera on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Joseph blocks a jab.
Joseph thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cabrera with a jab.
Joseph throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cabrera slips under a jab from Joseph.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Joseph scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A nice inside leg kick there by Joseph. That's going to slow Cabrera down.
Joseph throws a looping overhand right but Cabrera ducks down to avoid it.
A left lands for Cabrera.
Cabrera jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Joseph misses with a straight left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cabrera walks into a stiff left hand from Joseph.
Cabrera throws a jab but it's blocked by Joseph.
Joseph keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cabrera.
Cabrera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joseph.
Joseph throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera misses with a looping left.
Cabrera bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Joseph's head backwards.
Joseph is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cabrera.
Joseph swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cabrera misses the shot to the body.
Jihadi Joseph is winning the standup battle so far.
Joseph turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Joseph throws a chopping leg kick but Cabrera manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cabrera looks to throw the jab but Joseph is out of range.
Joseph waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cabrera.
Cabrera connects with a body shot that sends Joseph's belly button to the back.
Joseph scoring well with a low kick there.
Cabrera throws a hook to the side of Joseph's head but Joseph sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Joseph moves out of range as Cabrera strikes.
Cabrera throws the left hand but Joseph avoids the punch easily.
Cabrera throws a hook to the side of Joseph's head but Joseph sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cabrera blocks a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Cabrera misses the target.
Joseph throws a nice outside leg kick.
Joseph misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph tries to clinch

and Cabrera counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabrera looking to sit in guard and control but Joseph gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Joseph controlling from the top position.
Cabrera 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.
Joseph slips nicely into half guard.
Cabrera is trying to get back to full guard.
Joseph takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cabrera looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cabrera is looking for a sweep. Joseph is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Still in half guard, Joseph seems content to control.

Cabrera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Joseph controlling the action here.
Cabrera gets back to full guard.

Cabrera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Joseph doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Joseph manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Cabrera had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Joseph defends it easily.

Cabrera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Joseph gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Joseph pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cabrera is keeping the position for now.

Cabrera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Herve Cabrera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Joseph is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Herve Cabrera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Cabrera throws a leg kick but Joseph checks it.
Joseph is looking to counter the offense by Cabrera and move into the clinch.
Joseph's corner calls for a 1-2. Joseph obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cabrera fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cabrera throws a jab when Joseph was well out of range.
Joseph tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cabrera was well out of range. Poor timing from Joseph.
Cabrera thows a leg kick but Joseph checks it
and Joseph counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cabrera thinking.
Cabrera avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nice shot by Joseph.
Joseph scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cabrera doesn't seem bothered though.
Cabrera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Joseph throws a sloppy head kick and Cabrera moves out of range easily.
Joseph throws a leg kick that misses.
Joseph misses with a hook.
Cabrera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Joseph.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joseph tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cabrera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Joseph as he jumps to the side.
Joseph blocks a jab.
Cabrera walks into a jab.
Joseph throws a hook but Cabrera blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera blocks a low kick nicely.
Cabrera throws out a loose jab but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Joseph tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Joseph throws a quick inside leg kick.
Joseph walks into a stiff left hand from Cabrera.
Cabrera tests Joseph's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice takedown defense from Joseph. No joy for Cabrera on that attempt.
Jihadi Joseph has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herve Cabrera.
Joseph lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Joseph throws an off balance right hand
and Cabrera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cabrera will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Joseph misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.
Cabrera throws a jab but it's blocked by Joseph.
A solid leg kick lands there for Joseph.
Cabrera takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice defenses there by Joseph.
Cabrera with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Joseph to score with a decent uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabrera misses with a looping right.
Cabrera staying out of range there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Joseph, as that shot connected.
Joseph lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Cabrera.
Joseph feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Joseph connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cabrera throws the left hand but Joseph avoids the punch easily.
Cabrera keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice body kick there by Joseph.
Joseph throws out a loose jab but Cabrera uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cabrera throws out a loose jab but Joseph uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joseph misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cabrera.
Cabrera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joseph.
Cabrera misses with a hook.
Cabrera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Joseph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cabrera throws a hook but Joseph avoids it easily.
Joseph scores with a leg kick.
Joseph throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Joseph missing with a left hand there. Cabrera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Joseph looks to throw the jab but Cabrera is out of range.
Cabrera takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph lands a nice hook to Cabrera's body. Cabrera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Joseph throws out a leg kick but Cabrera moves out of range and Joseph only half commits.
Joseph throws a body shot but no joy.
Cabrera misses the shot to the body.

Joseph closes the distance and clinches.
Cabrera misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cabrera.
Cabrera looking for a takedown.
A hook to the body from Cabrera.
Cabrera lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cabrera tries to pull guard but Joseph holds him up against the cage and eventually Cabrera drops back down to his feet.
Cabrera misses with the head strike.
Cabrera working aggressively here.

Cabrera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cabrera on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cabrera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joseph.
Joseph tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cabrera was well out of range. Poor timing from Joseph.
Joseph misses with a hook. Cabrera ducked under it nicely.
Cabrera sizes up Joseph with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joseph.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cabrera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Joseph can pounce on him.
Joseph uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cabrera.
Joseph uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cabrera.
Cabrera bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Joseph's head.
A bone on bone clash there as Cabrera blocks the leg kick.
Joseph scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cabrera in his tracks.
Joseph throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Joseph misses the shot to the body.
Joseph looks to land a left hand but Cabrera moved out of range nicely.
Joseph with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cabrera to score with a decent uppercut.
Joseph swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joseph takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Joseph misses the jab.
Cabrera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Joseph manages to avoid it.
Cabrera slips a straight right by Joseph.
Joseph slips under a jab from Cabrera.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joseph connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cabrera's hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jihadi Joseph showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Joseph has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jihadi Joseph!
A relieved looking Jihadi Joseph thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.