PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdual Jemall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Calzaghe
vs
Jemall

185 cm
37
158 lbs
26 - 24 - 0

180 cm
35
152 lbs
28 - 20 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Calzaghe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Abdual Jemall!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jemall fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Calzaghe has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jemall pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abdual Jemall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Calzaghe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Calzaghe can't get the takedown.
Calzaghe really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Calzaghe avoids the elbow strike from Jemall, against the cage.

Calzaghe decides to pull guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jemall throws a big elbow that misses.
Jemall connects with a couple of short punches.

Calzaghe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jemall defends it easily.

Calzaghe throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Calzaghe working a defensive guard here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jemall stopping the sweep attempt from Calzaghe.

Calzaghe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall looking to pass the guard.

Jemall avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Calzaghe has his foot on Jemall's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jemall works his way back into a safe position though.
Jemall is pushing down on Calzaghe's leg trying to pass to half guard. Calzaghe is fighting to maintain full guard but Jemall has managed to sneak the leg through.
Calzaghe is refusing to be controlled, as Jemall sits in half guard.
Calzaghe has hold of Jemall's hands but Jemall slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jemall throwing shots but Calzaghe is blocking nicely.
Calzaghe makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Calzaghe.
Jemall throwing strikes but missing.
Jemall looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calzaghe keeping moving, preventing Jemall from controlling successfully.
Jemall won't allow Calzaghe to sweep him here.
Jemall working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jemall working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Calzaghe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jemall gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jemall trying to control the position from guard on top but Calzaghe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Calzaghe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Calzaghe has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jemall can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Calzaghe looking for a guillotine here but Jemall defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe keeping full guard, as Jemall tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jemall with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jemall must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Jemall avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jemall trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jemall throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jemall wants to control from the top but Calzaghe keeps moving.
Jemall trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Calzaghe working for a triangle but Jemall defends it easily.
Jemall scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Calzaghe looking for a guillotine here but Jemall defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Calzaghe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Calzaghe keeping moving, preventing Jemall from controlling successfully.
Jemall throws a strike but Calzaghe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jemall looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Calzaghe throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Calzaghe dominated that round.
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.

Jemall misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jemall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jemall defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Calzaghe.
Jemall misses with a kick to the body.
Jemall throws a quick inside leg kick.
Calzaghe goes for a double leg but Jemall avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jemall continues to drive forward.
Jemall has had enough of the clinch but Calzaghe keeps him there for the moment.
Jemall working hard to break the clinch.
Jemall wants to break the clinch but can't.
Calzaghe gets underhooks to prevent Jemall's takedown attempt.
Jemall is trying to break the clinch but Calzaghe has him pressed against the cage.

Jemall breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Calzaghe misses with a double jab.
Calzaghe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jemall circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Calzaghe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jemall shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Calzaghe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jemall tries to avoid it but Calzaghe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jemall to the ground. Jemall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Calzaghe.
Jemall dives in and grabs Calzaghe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Calzaghe pushes down on Jemall's head and hops out.
Jemall has a takedown stuffed.
Calzaghe blocks a leg kick.
Calzaghe blocks a head kick by Jemall.
Jemall stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jemall wants it to stay on the feet.
Jemall tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Calzaghe gets a double leg takedown into Jemall's guard.
Jemall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joe Calzaghe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jemall is breathing heavily.
Jemall keeping moving, preventing Calzaghe from controlling successfully.
Calzaghe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jemall's head.
Calzaghe tries to free his leg and advance position but Jemall is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jemall can't keep his opponent in guard - Calzaghe advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Jemall regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jemall working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Calzaghe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Calzaghe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Calzaghe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Calzaghe pushing down on Jemall's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Calzaghe seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Jemall has recovered full guard.

Jemall is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Calzaghe is aware though and is defending well.
Calzaghe passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Calzaghe trying to control the position but Jemall is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jemall is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Calzaghe off and has taken his back!
Jemall keeps control of the position as Calzaghe tries to break free.

Jemall working for the choke.
Calzaghe tries to roll but Jemall sticks to his back.
Calzaghe is working hard here to advance position.
Jemall is landing with strikes from the back.
Jemall throwing sloppy strikes.
Jemall has the hooks in. Calzaghe is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Jemall has Calzaghe flattened out and is raining down punches.

Jemall is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe holding both Jemall 's hands and preventing any damage.
Calzaghe breaks Jemall's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
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!
Calzaghe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Calzaghe stopping the sweep attempt from Jemall.
Calzaghe passes Jemall's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jemall is looking to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Calzaghe is looking for a kimura but Jemall is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Calzaghe to get the leverage.
Jemall gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Abdual Jemall will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jemall leaves Calzaghe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jemall moves in looking to clinch but Calzaghe pushes him off.
Calzaghe takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Horrible takedown by Calzaghe or perhaps it was just good defense by Jemall which made him look bad.
Calzaghe shoots and misses
and Jemall counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Calzaghe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jemall lands a body shot.
Calzaghe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jemall.
Calzaghe checks a leg kick nicely.
Calzaghe shoots in looking for a takedown but Jemall manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Calzaghe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jemall lands a head kick!
Nice takedown defense from Calzaghe. No joy for Jemall on that attempt.
Calzaghe has his takedown stuffed
and Jemall counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemall misses with an uppercut

and Calzaghe counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jemall works his way to full guard. Good work.
Calzaghe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jemall swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Calzaghe wants to control from the top but Jemall keeps moving.

Jemall is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Calzaghe trying to control but Jemall is working from the bottom.

Calzaghe drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jemall manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Calzaghe has Jemall in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jemall stands up over Calzaghe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Calzaghe working for a triangle but Jemall defends it easily.
Jemall throws a big elbow that misses.
Calzaghe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jemall.

Calzaghe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jemall is aware though and is defending well.
Calzaghe wants to stand but Jemall is controlling the position.

Calzaghe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Calzaghe is trying to keep Jemall in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jemall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Calzaghe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Jemall thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Calzaghe is trying to keep Jemall in close.

Calzaghe is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Jemall has his hands clasped together but Calzaghe extends and breaks Jemall's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Calzaghe.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joe Calzaghe!
Joe Calzaghe opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.