PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Raheem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hemingway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hemingway has chosen Respect as his entrance music. James Hemingway told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Raheem
vs
Hemingway

193 cm
29
277 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

195 cm
33
265 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdul Raheem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Hemingway!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raheem moves into the clinch successfully.
Hemingway is trying to force a seperation but Raheem has the dominant position.
A nice left hand lands by Raheem.

It looks like James Hemingway has been cut.
Hemingway tries to break the clinch but Raheem is controlling the position.
Raheem swings wildly with an uppercut but Hemingway uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hemingway is looking to take this one to the mat.

Hemingway is trying to trip Raheem. He has hold of a leg but Raheem is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hemingway persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Raheem controlling Hemingway's posture.
Hemingway trying to control the position from guard on top but Raheem is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hemingway looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hemingway postures up in Raheem's guard and throws a big left but Raheem blocks it.
Hemingway trying to control but Raheem is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raheem looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. James Hemingway was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hemingway swats away the attempt to clinch by Raheem.
Raheem lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice defenses there by Raheem.
Hemingway closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raheem circles away.
Raheem cracks Hemingway with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Raheem has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hemingway misses with a series of wild punches.
Raheem scores with a hook.
Raheem throws a head kick that Hemingway semi-blocks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body kick from Raheem.
Raheem avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Raheem. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Raheem.
Raheem uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hemingway moves forwards but Raheem connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Abdul Raheem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raheem connects with an inside leg kick.

Raheem gets a clinch.
Raheem lands a shoulder strike.

That has opened up James Hemingway's cut even more.
Hemingway doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hemingway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raheem.
Raheem lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hemingway backwards.
Hemingway is looking for a takedown.
Abdul Raheem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Hemingway.
Raheem misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hemingway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hemingway changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Raheem fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Raheem lands a big head kick that sends Hemingway tumbling to the mat! Raheem takes a step backwards and waves Hemingway back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Raheem drives through and clinches with Hemingway against the cage.

Raheem drops Hemingway onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Hemingway is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

Hemingway is rocked!

The cut above James Hemingway's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Raheem.
Hemingway is still on wobbly legs! Can Raheem finish him?
Raheem pushes Hemingway against the cage. Raheem is working some dirty boxing. Raheem pushes off with a quick right hook! Hemingway goes down! Hemingway tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Raheem moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Abdul Raheem!