PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Naser Al Shami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike McCallum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Al Shami
vs
McCallum

187 cm
23
255 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
232 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Naser Al Shami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike McCallum!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCallum gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McCallum doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCallum keeping full guard, as Al Shami tries to pass.
Al Shami won't allow McCallum to sweep him here.
Al Shami trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Al Shami trying to control the position from guard on top but McCallum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Shami wants to pass the guard but McCallum is keeping the position.
Al Shami is working hard here to advance position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McCallum can do anything to dispel that myth.
McCallum wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McCallum is on top in guard.
McCallum passes Al Shami's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

McCallum is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Shami is refusing to be controlled, as McCallum sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCallum prevents Al Shami from improving his position.
Al Shami gets full guard.
McCallum passes easily into side control. Nice work.
McCallum avoids the strikes from the bottom by Al Shami.
Al Shami is looking for a sweep.

McCallum tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McCallum has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Al Shami is looking for a sweep.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
McCallum looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

McCallum is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Al Shami knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Al Shami is trying to get back to full guard.
McCallum tries to pass the half guard into mount. Al Shami knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

McCallum is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Al Shami doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McCallum.
McCallum is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Shami is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

McCallum seems to be looking for submissions.
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!
Al Shami won't allow McCallum to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCallum trying to control from half guard but Al Shami is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Al Shami manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McCallum wants to pass the guard but Al Shami is keeping the position.
McCallum trying to control but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Shami manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Al Shami has hold of McCallum's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and McCallum manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
McCallum is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Al Shami looking to control but McCallum is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Al Shami moves to take his opponent's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCallum manages to reverse the position and now he's in Al Shami's guard. Nice work there by McCallum.
Al Shami tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Shami keeping full guard, as McCallum tries to pass.
Al Shami looking for a sweep. Not yet Al Shami, not yet.
McCallum looking to pass the guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCallum trying to control but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al Shami trying to keep a closed guard but McCallum is proving a slippery customer.
McCallum won't allow Al Shami to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Naser Al Shami will probably get the nod.
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.

McCallum shoots in and bounces Al Shami off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Al Shami can't keep his opponent in guard - McCallum advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McCallum works his way into side control.
McCallum trying to control the action but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
Al Shami is letting McCallum control him for a moment.

McCallum is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Al Shami is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Al Shami tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCallum wants to control for a moment but Al Shami uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Al Shami regains full guard. Nicely done.
Al Shami looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCallum is one step ahead there.
Al Shami manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Al Shami looking to secure an arm triangle but McCallum defends it well.

Al Shami jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but McCallum manages to avoid the submission attempt.
McCallum manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
McCallum wants to pass to mount but Al Shami is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami trying to control but McCallum postures up.
Al Shami gets full guard.
McCallum stopping the sweep attempt from Al Shami.
Mike McCallum has got the better of the ground game so far.
McCallum trying to control but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
McCallum might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Al Shami kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Shami wants to sweep here but McCallum controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mike McCallum has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

McCallum scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McCallum looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Al Shami wants to get back to full guard but McCallum has passed into side control.
McCallum wants to control but Al Shami is keeping him busy.

McCallum tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
McCallum working away.
Al Shami manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Al Shami is looking to improve his position.
Al Shami slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCallum wants to control from the top but Al Shami keeps moving.
Al Shami manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McCallum manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCallum bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Shami's guard.
Al Shami wants to sweep here but McCallum controlling him for the moment.
McCallum stands and throws Al Shami's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McCallum is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Al Shami's shoulder. That is not cool.
Al Shami tries to get back to half guard but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McCallum is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Al Shami is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

McCallum working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McCallum showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Al Shami closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. McCallum quickly recovers to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. McCallum manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McCallum keeping full guard, as Al Shami tries to pass.
Al Shami wants to control from the top but McCallum keeps moving.
Al Shami tries to free his leg and advance position but McCallum is retaining full guard.
McCallum can't keep his opponent in guard - Al Shami advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Al Shami is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McCallum is just riding it out for now. Al Shami eventually gives up the hold.

Al Shami is working for a kimura but McCallum is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCallum tries to roll over but Al Shami keeps him under control.
McCallum regains full guard. Nicely done.
McCallum lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Al Shami!
McCallum controlling the position easily from mount.
McCallum trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Al Shami bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Shami passes into half guard.
McCallum gets back to full guard.
Al Shami is pushing down on McCallum's leg trying to pass to half guard. McCallum is fighting to maintain full guard but Al Shami has managed to sneak the leg through.
McCallum wants to get back to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Al Shami is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Al Shami wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCallum keeps working.
McCallum is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McCallum missing with punches from the bottom.

Al Shami is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McCallum regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCallum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Shami trying to control but McCallum is working from the bottom.
Al Shami pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCallum is keeping the position for now.
McCallum wants to sweep here but Al Shami controlling him for the moment.
McCallum is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McCallum keeping full guard, as Al Shami tries to pass.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Al Shami won't allow McCallum to sweep him here.
Al Shami stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCallum swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCallum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCallum passes to full mount!
Al Shami is looking to improve his position but McCallum isn't that keen on the idea.
McCallum takes Al Shami's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Al Shami is in trouble.

McCallum is looking for the choke from the back position but Al Shami is controlling his hands well.
Al Shami turns into McCallum and is now in his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCallum bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Al Shami's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCallum trying to control but Al Shami is working from the bottom.
Al Shami trying to control the position.
McCallum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike McCallum.
Well McCallum 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike McCallum!