PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmed Ali Baba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Almeida
vs
Ali Baba

191 cm
26
196 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

185 cm
29
200 lbs
1 - 20 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Almeida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ahmed Ali Baba!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali Baba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Almeida avoids the head kick by Ali Baba.

Almeida looking to score a takedown here. Ali Baba is defending well but Almeida drives through and ends up in Ali Baba's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ali Baba is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Almeida has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ali Baba keeping moving, preventing Almeida from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Almeida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ali Baba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ali Baba is adopting a defensive guard.
Almeida wants to pass the guard but Ali Baba is keeping the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Almeida bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Almeida working away.

Almeida working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Almeida swings around for an armbar but Ali Baba sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Almeida's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ali Baba manages to pass to side control.
Ali Baba stalling away here and it's allowed Almeida to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Almeida looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ali Baba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ali Baba postures up in Almeida's guard and throws a big left but Almeida blocks it.
Ali Baba passes Almeida's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Almeida is breathing heavily.

Ali Baba is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Almeida sees it coming and defends easily.
Ali Baba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ali Baba missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali Baba is trying to control. Almeida wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ali Baba with the ground and pound but Almeida uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ali Baba wants to control from the top but Almeida keeps moving.

Almeida is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ali Baba is aware though and is defending well.
Ali Baba wants to pass the guard but Almeida is keeping the position.

Almeida throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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 Baba wants to pass the guard but Almeida is keeping the position.
Almeida keeping moving, preventing Ali Baba from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali Baba slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ali Baba working the ground and pound but Almeida is defending the strikes.
Ali Baba throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Ali Baba looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ali Baba is trying to get an arm triangle but Almeida is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Almeida is not content to let Ali Baba control the position.
Almeida tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ali Baba wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali Baba wants to control but Almeida is keeping him busy.
Ali Baba throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ali Baba wants to control but Almeida is keeping him busy.
Almeida is looking for a sweep.

Ali Baba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ali Baba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ali Baba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Almeida is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmed Ali Baba dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ali Baba takes a swing at Almeida's ribcage but misses.
Ali Baba scores with a jab.
Almeida leaves Ali Baba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ali Baba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ali Baba misses with a takedown attempt

and Almeida counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ali Baba working a defensive guard here.

Almeida drops back looking for a leg! Ali Baba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ali Baba manages to kick Almeida off! Almeida jumps back into Ali Baba's guard.
Ali Baba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Almeida is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida tries to free his leg and advance position but Ali Baba is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ali Baba is on top in guard.

Ali Baba stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Almeida has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Ali Baba manages to get his head free but now Almeida has transitioned to an armbar! Ali Baba grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Almeida! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Almeida!