PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kata Guruma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmedi AlShika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ahmedi AlShika is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Guruma
vs
AlShika

178 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kata Guruma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ahmedi AlShika!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
AlShika shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Guruma as he avoids it easily.
Kata Guruma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guruma misses with a head kick.
AlShika blocks a leg kick.
AlShika throws a low kick but Guruma avoids it.
Guruma throws a chopping leg kick but AlShika manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Guruma throws out a leg kick but AlShika moves out of range and Guruma only half commits.
Guruma looks to land a combination but AlShika avoids it well.
AlShika checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
AlShika misses with a leg kick.
AlShika throws a sloppy head kick and Guruma moves out of range easily.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Left hook, right uppercut from AlShika.
Guruma checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Guruma has his takedown stuffed
and AlShika counters with a leg kick.
AlShika tries a head kick but it misses.
Guruma does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from AlShika.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Guruma as he checks the leg kick.
Guruma avoids the head kick by AlShika.
AlShika lands a right hook to the body.
AlShika checks a low kick from Guruma.
Guruma throws a right and a left that both miss.
AlShika lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A clash of legs there as Guruma blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AlShika keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
AlShika throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Guruma throws a lazy head kick
and AlShika counters with a body kick.
Guruma buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
AlShika just misses with a punch to the body.
A leg kick checked by Guruma.
AlShika moves out of range of the leg kick from Guruma.
Guruma throws the kick towards the body but AlShika avoids it.

Guruma moves into the clinch.
Guruma misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from AlShika.
AlShika prevents a takedown attempt there.

Guruma has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics AlShika uses from the top position.
AlShika thows a big elbow that misses.

AlShika stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Guruma avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
AlShika scores with a push kick.
Guruma is breathing heavily.
AlShika does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
AlShika lands with an uppercut that bounces Guruma off the cage and back into rage.

AlShika has closed the distance and engaged Guruma in a clinch.
AlShika tries to stall but Guruma uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
AlShika avoiding damage as Guruma throws knees to the body.
AlShika has Guruma pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
AlShika is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Guruma is keeping busy.
AlShika landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
AlShika tries to land knees in the clinch but Guruma avoids the damage to the body.
Guruma on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
AlShika is looking to control Guruma's arms but Guruma gets an underhook and turns him. Now AlShika has his back to the cage.
AlShika looking to throw knees to the head but Guruma is blocking nicely.
AlShika looking to throw knees to the head but Guruma is blocking nicely.
AlShika is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Guruma goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
AlShika landing knees to the body.
AlShika avoiding damage as Guruma throws knees to the body.
Guruma jumps guard but AlShika stands there with Guruma around his waist. Guruma gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kata Guruma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
AlShika tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
AlShika looking to stall.
Guruma tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. AlShika smiles and moves away.
Guruma lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
AlShika checks a low kick from Guruma.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for AlShika.
Guruma throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Guruma looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
AlShika shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Guruma throws a leg kick that misses.
AlShika lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
AlShika connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Guruma connects with a high kick.
Guruma tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Guruma avoids the head kick by AlShika.
Guruma takes one on the button.
AlShika misses with a leg kick.
Guruma throws a lazy head kick
and AlShika counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Guruma pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

AlShika has Guruma up against the cage in a clinch.
AlShika throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Guruma blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for AlShika.
AlShika tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
AlShika looking to slow down the pace here.

Guruma breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
AlShika lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by AlShika.
AlShika lands a front kick.
AlShika avoids the head kick by Guruma.
Guruma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
AlShika misses with a body kick.
AlShika misses with a low kick as Guruma jumps back.

Guruma takes the fight into the clinch.
Guruma wants to break free but AlShika has control.
AlShika landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Guruma tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. AlShika smiles and moves away.
AlShika misses with the combination.
AlShika fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Guruma is out of range.
Guruma tries a head kick but it misses.
AlShika throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Guruma closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
AlShika missing with punches from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. AlShika manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmedi AlShika dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

AlShika tries to score with a low kick but Guruma moves his leg out of the way.
Guruma takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Guruma tries to close the distance and clinch up but AlShika swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Guruma checks a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Guruma blocks the leg kick.
Guruma throws a head kick but AlShika moves out of range.
AlShika tries a low kick but Guruma avoids it.
AlShika misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A low kick from Guruma is predictable there
and AlShika counters with an outside leg kick.
AlShika throws a leg kick which misses Guruma's front leg but catches the back leg as Guruma tries to avoid it.
AlShika throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A good leg kick by Guruma.
Guruma drops his hands momentarily and AlShika takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Guruma misses with a jab, cross combination.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Guruma shoots in for a takedown but AlShika shows good takedown defense.
Guruma misses with a head kick.

AlShika gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
AlShika has Guruma pressed against the cage.

Guruma pulls guard successfully.
AlShika is pushing down on Guruma's leg trying to pass to half guard. Guruma is fighting to maintain full guard but AlShika has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guruma is trying to defend against the ground and pound but AlShika scores with a couple of nice shots.
Guruma is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
AlShika working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Guruma is refusing to be controlled, as AlShika sits in half guard.
AlShika controlling the pace.
AlShika scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
AlShika is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
AlShika with the ground and pound from mount.
AlShika landing strikes from the mount and Guruma is in trouble!
AlShika has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
AlShika is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Guruma is in real trouble.

AlShika is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Guruma is defending well though. AlShika let's go of the attempt for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guruma breaks AlShika's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
AlShika looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Guruma wanted to stand there but AlShika had control of the position.
Guruma tries to free his leg and advance position but AlShika is retaining full guard.
Guruma is working hard here to advance position.
Guruma landing with the ground and pound.
Guruma scoring with some ground and pound.
AlShika 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Guruma slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Guruma keeping moving, preventing AlShika from controlling successfully.
AlShika won't allow Guruma to sweep him here.

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

Guruma looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

AlShika drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and AlShika jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
AlShika stopping the sweep attempt from Guruma.
AlShika prevents Guruma from getting back to his feet.

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.
AlShika pushes down on Guruma's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Guruma manages to get to full guard.

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

AlShika stands up from Guruma's guard - AlShika perhaps looking for a knockout.
Guruma buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Guruma is looking to land body kicks.
AlShika is looking to clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as AlShika checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmedi AlShika showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Guruma closes this distance looking for a takedown but AlShika circles away.
Guruma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Guruma moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick misses from Guruma.
Guruma ducks under a wild hook from AlShika.
AlShika throws a head kick but Guruma moves out of range.
Guruma tries for a takedown but AlShika sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick by Guruma misses
and AlShika counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
AlShika scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
AlShika with a nice cross.
Nice body kick from Guruma.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses.
Kata Guruma is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
AlShika avoids the head kick by Guruma.
AlShika checks a low kick from Guruma.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guruma tries a head kick but it misses.
AlShika misses with a kick to the body.
AlShika pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Guruma wants to land a leg kick but AlShika is out of range.
Guruma fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kata Guruma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
AlShika pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AlShika throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Guruma's waist but Guruma gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing AlShika off to one side.
Guruma misses with a takedown

and AlShika counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
AlShika lands strikes from half guard.
AlShika controlling the action here.
Guruma missing with punches from the bottom.
Guruma moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
AlShika won't allow Guruma to sweep him here.
Guruma wants to stand and escape but AlShika is having none of it.

AlShika thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
AlShika stands up over Guruma, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
AlShika landing some decent shots from guard.
AlShika lands a couple of elbows.
AlShika trying to control but Guruma is working from the bottom.
AlShika throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
AlShika throws a leg kick which misses Guruma's front leg but catches the back leg as Guruma tries to avoid it.
A good leg kick by AlShika.
AlShika pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Guruma shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Guruma is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Guruma wants to land a leg kick but AlShika is out of range.
AlShika misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Guruma closes the distance and clinches up with AlShika, looking for a takedown. Guruma pushes AlShika against the cage but AlShika circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Guruma blocks the low kick.
A leg kick checked by Guruma.
Guruma blocks a head kick by AlShika.
AlShika throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

AlShika rushes Guruma and presses him up against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from AlShika.
AlShika gets underhooks to prevent Guruma's takedown attempt.
Guruma on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
AlShika throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Guruma blocks it with crossed arms.

Guruma breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
AlShika takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Guruma clinches.
AlShika stops a takedown attempt from Guruma.
Guruma on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Guruma misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from AlShika.

Guruma breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Guruma scores with a takedown into AlShika's guard.
AlShika 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.
Guruma has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Guruma sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed AlShika's guard.
AlShika tries to roll over but Guruma keeps him under control.
AlShika is pressing down on Guruma's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
AlShika looking for a sweep. Not yet AlShika, not yet.
AlShika pulls Guruma in close to prevent any damage.

AlShika looking for a guillotine here but Guruma defends easily.
Guruma thows a big elbow that misses.

Guruma stands and steps away. AlShika gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
AlShika uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Guruma has time to react.
AlShika misses with a head kick.
Kata Guruma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Guruma doesn't succeed with the takedown
and AlShika counters with a nice kick to the body.
AlShika with a hook.
AlShika moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
AlShika goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ahmedi AlShika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well AlShika 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahmedi AlShika!