PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafal Dabrowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hassan Mahroof (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dabrowski
vs
Mahroof

205 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
20
256 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafal Dabrowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hassan Mahroof!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dabrowski misses with a series of wild punches.

Dabrowski shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dabrowski showed some decent athleticism there.
Dabrowski winds up and cracks Mahroof with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mahroof is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dabrowski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dabrowski's back!
Mahroof trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Mahroof controls the position.
Mahroof is controlling the position but Dabrowski somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Mahroof is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Dabrowski reverses the position - he's now on top in Mahroof's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dabrowski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Dabrowski trying to control but Mahroof is working from the bottom.
Mahroof has momentary wrist control but Dabrowski slips an elbow through the middle.
Dabrowski postures up in Mahroof's guard and throws a big left but Mahroof blocks it.
Dabrowski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dabrowski wants to control from the top but Mahroof keeps moving.
Dabrowski tries to free his leg and advance position but Mahroof is retaining full guard.
Dabrowski stops Mahroof from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dabrowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dabrowski distracts Mahroof with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Dabrowski wants to control from the top but Mahroof keeps moving.
Dabrowski is looking to work some ground and pound but Mahroof has wrist control.
Dabrowski is looking to work some ground and pound but Mahroof has wrist control.
Dabrowski preventing the sweep.
Mahroof trying to keep a closed guard but Dabrowski is proving a slippery customer.
Dabrowski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dabrowski is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mahroof is trying to keep Dabrowski in close.

Mahroof working for a triangle but Dabrowski defends it easily.
Mahroof looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahroof controls Dabrowski momentarily but Dabrowski frees himself.
Dabrowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dabrowski lands a couple of digs.
Dabrowski is in close to Mahroof's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dabrowski sitting in guard here, content to control.
Dabrowski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mahroof's head.
Dabrowski with a nice head shot there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dabrowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dabrowski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dabrowski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mahroof trying to keep a closed guard but Dabrowski is proving a slippery customer.
Dabrowski with a nice head shot there.
Mahroof has momentary wrist control but Dabrowski slips an elbow through the middle.

Mahroof working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dabrowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dabrowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dabrowski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Mahroof is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dabrowski defends well.
Dabrowski lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dabrowski takes the fight into the clinch.
Mahroof looking for a takedown.

Dabrowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dabrowski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mahroof on the side of the head.

Mahroof shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Dabrowski manages to get to full guard.
Dabrowski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mahroof's guard.
Mahroof is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dabrowski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dabrowski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dabrowski looking to pass the guard.
Dabrowski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dabrowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dabrowski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mahroof's head.
Dabrowski seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mahroof preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dabrowski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dabrowski trying to control but Mahroof is working from the bottom.
Dabrowski with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dabrowski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mahroof works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mahroof trying to strike off his back.
Dabrowski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dabrowski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dabrowski tries to free his leg and advance position but Mahroof is retaining full guard.
Mahroof is trying to control the position but Dabrowski postures up.
Mahroof is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dabrowski is controlling him.
Dabrowski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dabrowski postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahroof wants to sweep but no luck.
Mahroof wants to stand and escape but Dabrowski is having none of it.
Dabrowski scoring with some ground and pound.

Mahroof has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dabrowski is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mahroof.
Dabrowski landing strikes.
Dabrowski landing a few strikes.
Dabrowski trying to control the action but Mahroof is working from the bottom.
Dabrowski tries to score with some ground and pound. Mahroof controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mahroof dodges the ground and pound from Dabrowski.
Dabrowski in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Mahroof wants to control but Dabrowski postures up.
Mahroof taking a bit of punishment here - Dabrowski scoring with strikes.
Mahroof takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Check out the look on Dabrowski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rafal Dabrowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mahroof shoots in for a takedown but Dabrowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dabrowski scores with a jab. Mahroof acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Dabrowski lands a nice looking body shot.

Dabrowski shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mahroof manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Dabrowski lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafal Dabrowski dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mahroof fails with a takedown attempt.
Dabrowski fails with the takedown

and Mahroof counters with a takedown into side control.
Mahroof laying and praying for a moment but Dabrowski takes advantage and regains half guard.
Dabrowski tries to roll over but Mahroof keeps him under control.
Dabrowski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mahroof has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dabrowski is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahroof throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mahroof trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mahroof must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dabrowski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mahroof's guard.
Mahroof is looking to stand up but Dabrowski isn't so interested in that idea.
Dabrowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
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.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Mahroof working for submissions but it's allowed Dabrowski to get to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Dabrowski lands a nice short elbow.
Mahroof tries to roll over but Dabrowski keeps him under control.
Dabrowski drops an elbow to the side of Mahroof's head.
Dabrowski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mahroof on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dabrowski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Dabrowski takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mahroof trying to control but Dabrowski postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dabrowski slips a nice elbow through Mahroof's hands, connecting with Mahroof's forehead.
Dabrowski prevents Mahroof from improving his position.
Mahroof wants to control but Dabrowski is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dabrowski prevents Mahroof from standing back up.
Nice strikes from Dabrowski there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mahroof tries to clinch but Dabrowski moves away
and Dabrowski counters with a straight right hand.
Mahroof wants to clinch
and Mahroof takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Dabrowski clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mahroof tries to pull guard but Dabrowski holds him up against the cage and eventually Mahroof drops back down to his feet.
Dabrowski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Dabrowski.
Dabrowski lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dabrowski lands a body punch in the clinch.
Mahroof drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rafal Dabrowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hassan Mahroof.
Dabrowski is working for takedown but Mahroof is calmly controlling the position for now.

Mahroof pulls guard effortlessly.
Mahroof is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dabrowski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mahroof is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dabrowski is controlling him.
Hassan Mahroof has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dabrowski wants to control from the top but Mahroof keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafal Dabrowski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dabrowski has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafal Dabrowski!