PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Bashier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chi Booka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bashier
vs
Booka

225 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Bashier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chi Booka!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Booka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Booka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Booka tries to bum rush Bashier with a series of wild strikes but Bashier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bashier fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice sprawl there from Booka as Bashier shoots in.
A swing and a miss from Booka.
Booka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bashier sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Booka somewhat.
Bashier throws out a powerful jab.
Bashier misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bashier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bashier throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Chi Booka has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Booka has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booka shoots in for a takedown but Bashier shows good takedown defense.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bashier.

Booka moves into the clinch successfully.
Bashier is trying to pull guard but Booka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Bashier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bashier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Booka takes a kick to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bashier is defended easily by Booka.
Bashier really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bashier stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booka motions for Bashier to come forward. Booka throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Bashier moves into the clinch successfully.

Bashier drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Bashier looking for a guillotine here but Booka defends easily.
Booka slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Booka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bashier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Booka is one step ahead there.

Bashier has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Booka off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The fight stays on the outside here - Booka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Booka shoots for a double leg takedown but Bashier sprawls well. He's pushed Booka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Booka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Booka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Booka changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bashier tries to avoid it but Booka manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bashier to the ground. Bashier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Booka is defended easily by Bashier.
Booka looks winded!
Bashier tries to clinch but Booka is having none of it.
Bashier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Booka tries to clinch but Bashier moves out of range.
Bashier wants to clinch.
Bashier shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Booka pinned against the cage. Booka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bashier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bashier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chi Booka's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Booka leaves Bashier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Booka forces Bashier back against the cage and clinches.

Bashier pulls guard.

Booka drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Booka jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bashier has a closed guard, preventing Booka from standing up.

Bashier pushes Booka off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Bashier closes the distance and clinches.

Bashier jumps into guard, dragging Booka to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Booka controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bashier lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Booka!
Bashier tries to control but Booka wriggling away.
Bashier pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Bashier will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Booka slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Booka wants to control but Bashier is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bashier is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bashier wants to control but Booka is keeping him busy.
Booka is trying to maintain the position but Bashier is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Booka prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bashier. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Booka pulls guard.
Booka wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Booka is looking for a triangle but Bashier pushes his legs off easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Booka can do anything to dispel that myth.

Bashier has gone for a leg lock! Booka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bashier's guard.
Bashier wants to sweep here but Booka controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bashier is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Booka presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Bashier is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Booka pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bashier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Booka breaks the clinch.
Booka is looking to clinch but Bashier is avoiding it.

Booka drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
John Bashier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Booka trying to control the position but Bashier is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Booka takes a little break here. Bashier wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chi Booka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chi Booka's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bashier dives in for a single leg takedown but Booka sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Booka drags the fight down to the ground.
Booka has control of Bashier's left arm, preventing Bashier from doing any damage.

Booka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bashier defends it easily.

Bashier decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Booka, up you get!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bashier.
Booka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booka throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bashier counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A head kick misses from Booka.
Booka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bashier works over Booka's head and body with a nice combination.
Bashier tries to clinch but Booka is having none of it.
John Bashier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bashier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bashier scores with a sloppy right hand. Booka should have avoided that one.

Bashier moves into range and clinches up with Booka.
Booka wants to break free but Bashier has control.
Booka misses with some punches.
Booka is pressed up against the cage. Bashier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Booka down to the mat. Booka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bashier. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashier scores with a jab.
Booka stuffs the takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bashier shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Booka pinned against the cage. Booka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Booka closes the distance and clinches.

Booka ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Booka no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Booka trying to control the position.

Booka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bashier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bashier wants to control from the top but Booka keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Booka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bashier gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Booka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bashier manages to get himself to full guard.
Booka trying to control the position from guard on top but Bashier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bashier looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Booka looking to pass the guard.
Booka trying to control the position from guard on top but Bashier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bashier wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bashier wants to stand up but Booka is controlling him.
Booka's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Bashier.
I think Bashier has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John Bashier!