PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Obban Gangmanstyle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafik Hamouta (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.

Gangmanstyle
vs
Hamouta

194 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Obban Gangmanstyle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rafik Hamouta!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hamouta clinches up against the cage.
Gangmanstyle avoids the elbow strike from Hamouta, against the cage.

Hamouta breaks from the clinch.
Gangmanstyle circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hamouta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gangmanstyle moves into the clinch.
Gangmanstyle managing to block the knees to the body from Hamouta.
Hamouta lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hamouta lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gangmanstyle dodges an elbow strike from Hamouta.
Hamouta looking for a takedown.

Hamouta pulls guard effortlessly.
Hamouta looking for a sweep. Not yet Hamouta, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamouta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hamouta keeping moving, preventing Gangmanstyle from controlling successfully.

Gangmanstyle decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hamouta stuffs the takedown attempt from Gangmanstyle. Gangmanstyle gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle lands a glancing blow to the side of Hamouta's head.
Hamouta tries to close the distance and clinch but Gangmanstyle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gangmanstyle misses with a body shot.
Gangmanstyle shoots in but no luck this time.
Hamouta closes the distance but Gangmanstyle moves to the side
and Gangmanstyle counters with a left and a right that stings Hamouta.
Gangmanstyle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Gangmanstyle tries to keep at a distance but Hamouta has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gangmanstyle tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Obban Gangmanstyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamouta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gangmanstyle tries to pull guard but Hamouta holds him up against the cage and eventually Gangmanstyle drops back down to his feet.
Hamouta stops a takedown attempt from Gangmanstyle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle is trying to break free.
A short right from Hamouta on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamouta is leaning against Gangmanstyle and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Hamouta manages to pull guard.
Gangmanstyle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hamouta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hamouta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hamouta wants to stand but Gangmanstyle is controlling the position.
Gangmanstyle postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gangmanstyle trying to control but Hamouta is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gangmanstyle is breathing heavily.
Hamouta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gangmanstyle is controlling him.
Hamouta 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.
Gangmanstyle 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gangmanstyle won't allow Hamouta to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Obban Gangmanstyle wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Hamouta instigates a clinch.
Gangmanstyle is trying to pull guard but Hamouta turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hamouta gets underhooks to prevent Gangmanstyle's takedown attempt.
Hamouta makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hamouta trying to land knees to the body.
Gangmanstyle tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hamouta holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Gangmanstyle ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gangmanstyle no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gangmanstyle has a closed guard, preventing Hamouta from standing up.
Gangmanstyle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hamouta trying to control the position from guard on top but Gangmanstyle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gangmanstyle postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Hamouta to stand up.
Gangmanstyle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gangmanstyle misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Gangmanstyle tries to keep at a distance but Hamouta has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hamouta manages to break the clinch.
Hamouta tries to clinch up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hamouta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gangmanstyle blocks it with crossed arms.
Hamouta throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gangmanstyles head.
Gangmanstyle fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafik Hamouta will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hamouta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gangmanstyle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hamouta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hamouta tries to clinch but Gangmanstyle moves out of range.
Hamouta wants to clinch.
Hamouta tries to clinch up but Gangmanstyle circles away and keeps his distance.
Hamouta darts in trying to clinch
letting Gangmanstyle counter with a right hand.
Rafik Hamouta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hamouta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gangmanstyle swats him away and circles back towards the center.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Hamouta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hamouta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gangmanstyle tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle fails with a takedown attempt.
Hamouta wants to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gangmanstyle is defended easily by Hamouta.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Obban Gangmanstyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamouta lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gangmanstyle circles away quickly and effectively.
Gangmanstyle moves out of range of the body kick from Hamouta.
Hamouta tries to clinch but Gangmanstyle is having none of it.
Hamouta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gangmanstyle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hamouta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Obban Gangmanstyle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gangmanstyle misses with a takedown attempt - Hamouta sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle fails to land the takedown.
Rafik Hamouta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hamouta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hamouta tries to clinch up but Gangmanstyle circles away and keeps his distance.
Gangmanstyle shoots in looking for a takedown but Hamouta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gangmanstyle's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hamouta wants to clinch up but Gangmanstyle keeps it at a distance.
Hamouta tries to clinch but Gangmanstyle is having none of it.

Hamouta has closed the distance and engaged Gangmanstyle in a clinch.
Hamouta lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hamouta misses with an elbow over the top.
Gangmanstyle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A knee to the head by Hamouta.
Hamouta lands an elbow inside that Gangmanstyle shrugs off.

It looks like Obban Gangmanstyle has been cut.
Rafik Hamouta seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hamouta taking a breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hamouta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gangmanstyle blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle jumps guard but Hamouta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hamouta throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hamouta blocking some punches.
Hamouta throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gangmanstyles head.
Gangmanstyle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hamouta smiles and moves away.
Gangmanstyle shoots in and drives through. Hamouta sprawls well.
Hamouta wants to clinch up but Gangmanstyle keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hamouta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hamouta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hamouta clinches up with Gangmanstyle and pushes him back against the cage.
Gangmanstyle wants to get back to striking at distance but Hamouta won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamouta content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hamouta is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gangmanstyle is defending well for now.
Gangmanstyle is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hamouta is defending well.

Hamouta pulls Gangmanstyle into guard.
Hamouta wants to sweep here but Gangmanstyle controlling him for the moment.
Hamouta has control of Gangmanstyle's left arm, preventing Gangmanstyle from doing any damage.
Hamouta wants to stand and escape but Gangmanstyle is having none of it.
Hamouta tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gangmanstyle trying to control but Hamouta is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gangmanstyle chips away with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gangmanstyle is in close to Hamouta's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hamouta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gangmanstyle is one step ahead there.
Gangmanstyle trying to control but Hamouta is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafik Hamouta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Obban Gangmanstyle's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gangmanstyle shoots in for a double leg but Hamouta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gangmanstyle shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hamouta but Hamouta pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gangmanstyle shoots in for a takedown but Hamouta shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Obban Gangmanstyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gangmanstyle tries to keep at a distance but Hamouta has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hamouta lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hamouta throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hamouta.
Gangmanstyle taking a breather.
Gangmanstyle blocks an elbow strike.
Hamouta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gangmanstyle avoids it.
Gangmanstyle is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hamouta jumps guard but Gangmanstyle stands there with Hamouta around his waist. Hamouta gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hamouta prevents a body shot from Gangmanstyle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle jumps guard but Hamouta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hamouta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gangmanstyle backwards.
Hamouta lands with a short shot to the head.
Gangmanstyle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Hamouta pulls guard effortlessly.
Hamouta wants to stand but Gangmanstyle is controlling the position.
Hamouta keeping moving, preventing Gangmanstyle from controlling successfully.
Gangmanstyle trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hamouta's guard.
Gangmanstyle stops Hamouta from standing up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hamouta can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hamouta is adopting a defensive guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Gangmanstyle gets tackled into the cage by Hamouta. Hamouta maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamouta throws an elbow but it misses.
Hamouta blocks a body shot from Gangmanstyle.
Hamouta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gangmanstyle backwards.
Gangmanstyle is working for takedown but Hamouta is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hamouta trying to land knees to the body.
Hamouta lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hamouta keeps control of Gangmanstyle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
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!
Hamouta scores with a shot to the side of Gangmanstyle's head.
Hamouta is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Gangmanstyle avoids a wild elbow strike from Hamouta.
Gangmanstyle blocks an elbow strike.
Gangmanstyle tries to stall but Hamouta uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hamouta lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hamouta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hamouta working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gangmanstyle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hamouta avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hamouta throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gangmanstyle is looking to break free of the clinch but Hamouta has double underhooks.
Gangmanstyle tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hamouta just stands there and leans against the cage.

Hamouta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hamouta tries to clinch up.

Gangmanstyle tries to keep at a distance but Hamouta has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hamouta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Obban Gangmanstyle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hamouta leaves Gangmanstyle with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Hamouta clinches with his opponent.
Hamouta misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gangmanstyle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gangmanstyle avoiding damage as Hamouta throws knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hamouta.

Hamouta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hamouta forces Gangmanstyle back against the cage and clinches.
Hamouta prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hamouta misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gangmanstyle.
Hamouta lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gangmanstyle wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hamouta tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gangmanstyle managing to block the knees to the body from Hamouta.
Hamouta tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hamouta throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gangmanstyles head.
Gangmanstyle throws a head punch that misses.
Hamouta works on Gangmanstyle's body with a couple of short punches.
Rafik Hamouta is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hamouta blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafik Hamouta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hamouta winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafik Hamouta!