PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kulata Bitok (ranked 24615 p4p, 2698 weight class) and Islam Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Bitok
vs
Ali

182 cm
19
160
7 - 10 - 1

185 cm
25
163
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Islam Ali!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali throws a head kick that Bitok semi-blocks.

Bitok darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ali looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok trying to control from half guard but Ali is working away.
Ali wants to get back to his feet.

Ali pushes Bitok off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bitok moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And Bitok counters with a quick kick to the body but Ali blocks it.
Ali lands with a kick to the ribs.

Ali moves into the clinch.

Ali breaks the clinch.
Bitok slips a jab and a cross from Ali.
Bitok thinks about countering with a body kick.
Bitok takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bitok takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ali lands a lovely overhand right.
Ali with a hook.
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!
Bitok takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali lands with a nice body kick.

Ali rushes Bitok and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ali makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Ali.
Ali pressing his opponent against the cage.
Bitok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bitok wants a takedown but no success here.
Ali lands an elbow just above Bitok 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali lands a knee to the head.
Ali connects with a knee to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ali stalls.
The crowd are getting on Ali's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Ali stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bitok is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Ali.
Ali utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
We've been informed that Ali has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ali lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Ali.
Ali lands an elbow inside that Bitok shrugs off.
Ali is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kulata Bitok. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bitok drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Ali dominated that round.
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.

Ali connects with a nice looking jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ali.

Ali drives through and clinches with Bitok against the cage.
Ali with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ali pressing his opponent against the cage.

Ali breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali scores with a head kick.
Ali misses with a hook. Bitok ducked under it nicely.
Bitok tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ali sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bitok somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bitok in his tracks.
Ali scores with a jab. Bitok acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bitok takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ali lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali stalling.
Ali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A right hook to the body lands for Ali.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ali.
Ali is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ali lands a left hand.

Bitok turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Ali sneaks out the side door and pushes Bitok away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali cracks Bitok with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A slow jab from Ali misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ali lands a jab.
Both fighters circling a little - Ali finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Good exchange - Ali coming out on top.
Ali explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ali throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ali connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bitok momentarily.
Ali throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitok takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ali throws a good cross that connects.

Ali rushes Bitok and presses him up against the cage.
Bitok has Ali pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ali manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Ali - that landed with a thud.
Ali lands a knee to the head.
Ali utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ali has Bitok pushed against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Islam Ali 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! This is the final round!

Ali throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bitok's head.
Ali takes a swing at Bitok's ribcage but misses.

Bitok throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ali was covering up waiting for the punch and Bitok finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Ali is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bitok moves away from the strike by Ali.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Islam Ali seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ali tries to bum rush Bitok with a series of wild strikes but Bitok uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Islam Ali is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ali throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ali paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ali plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bitok displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ali throws out the jab.
Bitok jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Ali throws a nice looking combination but Bitok bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali thows a body kick. Bitok tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Bitok takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitok shoots in but Ali avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ali tests Bitok's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ali throws a body shot but no joy.
Bitok on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ali dips to his left and cracks Bitok with an uppercut!
Ali lands with a cross.
Islam Ali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ali connects with a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ali. That one must have hurt.
Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bitok.
Ali moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ali tests Bitok's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ali lands a slapping body shot.
Ali scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice shot lands for Ali.
Ali fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bitok looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali dips to his left and cracks Bitok with an uppercut!
Bitok looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
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!

Ali clinches up against the cage.
Ali crunches a lovely knee into Bitok's ribcage.
Ali lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bitok backwards.
Ali lands a knee to the head.
Kulata Bitok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bitok takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ali connects with a knee to the head.
Ali slows down the pace here.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
Islam Ali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ali has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 25:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Islam Ali!
After the fight, Islam Ali was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.