PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rab Rehab (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Garelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rehab comes to the cage accompanied by saturday nights alright for fighting. Garelli has chosen Patriarch on a Vespa as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rehab
vs
Garelli

185 cm
22
177 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
184 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

GTI - 1337 Franchised

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rab Rehab!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Garelli!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garelli throws a head kick that misses.
Rehab closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rehab swats away the attempt to clinch by Garelli.
Garelli lands a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Rehab misses.
Garelli tries a head kick but it misses.
Rehab throws a poor cross that misses
letting Garelli counter with a right hand.

Rehab forces Garelli back against the cage and clinches.

That's two 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.
Garelli throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rehab blocks it with crossed arms.
Rehab content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Rehab.
Rehab doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rehab lands a right hand.

Rehab drags the fight down to the ground.
Rehab wants to improve his position but instead Garelli has moved into half guard.
Rehab tries to roll over but Garelli keeps him under control.
Rehab is working hard here to advance position.
Garelli throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Garelli prevents Rehab from improving his position.
Rehab works his way to full guard. Good work.

Rehab had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garelli defends it easily.
Garelli's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rehab is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rehab working for submissions but it's allowed Garelli to get to half guard.
Garelli thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rehab's head.
Rehab is staying active underneath Garelli, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rehab trying to hold on to Garelli's head to control him but Garelli postures up.

Rehab looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rehab is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.
Garelli tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rehab knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Garelli thows a huge punch but Rehab dodges it nicely.
Garelli works his way into full mount!
Rehab keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Garelli can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rehab is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rab Rehab dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rehab throws a nice looking combination but Garelli bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Rehab swings widly with a right hand
and Garelli counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rab Rehab seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rehab throws an off balance right hand

and Garelli counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Garelli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rehab lands a shoulder strike.

Rehab has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Garelli uses from the top position.
Rehab looking for a sweep. Not yet Rehab, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rehab looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Garelli puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Garelli seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Garelli lands a nice short elbow.
Garelli perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Garelli not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rehab is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garelli trying to control the action but Rehab is working from the bottom.

Rehab looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rehab looking for submissions off his back.
Garelli passes to side control.
Rehab tries to buck Garelli off but Garelli is having none of it.
Garelli controlling the position.
Rehab tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Garelli wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rehab looks to move to half guard but instead Garelli has passed into mount! Damn!
Rehab is wriggling around trying to escape.
Garelli takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rehab tries to lock up and control but Garelli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Garelli has control of Rehab's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Rehab regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Garelli breaks from Rehab's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rehab is trying desperately to improve position.
Garelli landing shots from mount.
Garelli working Rehab over with strikes here.
Garelli fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Garelli looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rehab is wriggling around trying to escape.
Garelli landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rehab sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Garelli 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!

Rehab throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Garelli counters with a solid body kick.
Garelli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rehab moves away.
Garelli throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Rehab counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rehab slips nicely into half guard.
Rehab wants to pass the guard but Garelli is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rehab thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Garelli's head.

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

Rehab is trying to work for a kimura but Garelli is defending well.

Rehab is working for a kimura but Garelli is defending it quite comfortably.
Garelli manages to get to full guard.
Garelli has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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.
Rehab trying to stand up but can't free himself from Garelli's guard.
Rehab throws and elbow that misses. Garelli uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rehab's guard. Nice move by Garelli!
Garelli trying to control but Rehab is working from the bottom.
Rehab 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.

Rehab escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Garelli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garelli wants to control from the top but Rehab keeps moving.
Rehab tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rehab isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Garelli stacks Rehab on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Garelli!
Rehab manages to work his way to half guard, despite Garelli's best efforts.
Rehab is looking for a sweep. Garelli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rehab is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Garelli's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Garelli's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rehab working for the choke.
Garelli prevents Rehab from getting a body triangle.
Garelli looking to control the position.
Garelli finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
Rehab looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rab Rehab clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rehab with a jab.
Rehab misses the body punch
and Garelli counters with a big head kick but Rehab shrugs it off.
A big left from Rehab misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garelli avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garelli throws a shot from downtown. Rehab moves away and avoids it.
Garelli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Garelli slips a jab and a cross from Rehab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Garelli drops his hands momentarily and Rehab takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rehab lands the left hand.
Garelli misses with a hook to the body
and Rehab counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rehab forces Garelli back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rehab lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Garelli or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Garelli.
A head punch on the inside from Garelli fails to land.
Rehab stalling against the cage.
Garelli lands a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rehab.
Garelli blocks an uppercut.
Knees to the body from Garelli.
Garelli struggles to land a body shot inside as Rehab controls his hands.
Garelli misses with some punches.
Garelli lands an uppercut.
Rehab lands with a light punch inside.
Garelli tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rehab avoids it.
Garelli is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rehab takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rehab swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Garelli can't find room to land a body shot as Rehab controls the action.
A short left from Rehab.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Garelli in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garelli missing with knees to the body.
Garelli misses with some punches.
Garelli is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rehab is defending well for now.
Rehab doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rehab blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rehab is working Garelli over against the cage.
Rehab scores with a shot to the side of Garelli's head.

Rehab pulls guard.
Rehab keeping moving, preventing Garelli from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rehab pulls Garelli in close to prevent any damage.
Garelli postures up.

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

Rehab had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Garelli defends it easily.
Rehab looking to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rehab 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.
Rehab keeping moving, preventing Garelli from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rab Rehab had his way with Joe Garelli in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rehab throws a series of punches but Garelli avoids them all with ease.
Garelli misses with a lunging right hand
and Rehab counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rehab throws a right hand that misses
and Garelli counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rehab throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garelli slips under a jab.
Rehab swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Garelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Joe Garelli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Garelli takes a swing at Rehab's ribcage but misses.
Garelli throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rehab counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Garelli throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rehab swings widly with a right hand
and Garelli counters with a nice kick to the body.
Garelli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rehab moves into range and clinches up with Garelli.

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.
Rehab misses with the head strike.
Rehab lands a left hand that snaps the head of Garelli backwards.
Garelli gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rehab swings wildly with an uppercut but Garelli uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rehab misses with a short punch on the inside.
Garelli lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Rab Rehab has been cut.
Garelli lands a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Rehab.
Rehab jumps guard but Garelli stands there with Rehab around his waist. Rehab gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rehab on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rehab misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rehab lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Garelli or not.
Rehab softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Garelli lands a nice knee to the body.
Garelli is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rehab working aggressively here.

Rehab pulls guard effortlessly.
Rehab is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Garelli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rab Rehab is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rehab wants to take a breather but Garelli is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rab Rehab showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rehab 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rab Rehab!
Rab Rehab retains his welterweight title!