PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shabazz Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wan Aleelel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ali
vs
Aleelel

185 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
147 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shabazz Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wan Aleelel!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ali fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aleelel lands a jab to Ali's midsection.
Ali misses with a takedown attempt - Aleelel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Ali shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Aleelel is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ali works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ali seems to be working for a kimura but Aleelel defends the submission attempt.
Ali looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Aleelel has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ali postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Aleelel to stand up.
A punch combination from Aleelel misses.
Aleelel looks winded!
Aleelel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ali circles away quickly and effectively.
Ali appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ali has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aleelel blocks a head kick by Ali.
Aleelel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ali tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Aleelel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aleelel with the counter takedown but Ali avoids it easily.
Ali avoids the body shot from Aleelel.
Ali closes the distance and clinches up with Aleelel, looking for a takedown. Ali pushes Aleelel against the cage but Aleelel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ali avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ali closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shabazz Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Ali gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ali slows the pace down in half guard.
Aleelel is in trouble now - Ali has advanced to mount!
Ali fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali unloading with bombs!
Ali controlling from the full mount.
Ali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ali in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ali wants to finish this one by submission but Aleelel is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ali.
Ali controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shabazz Ali dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Aleelel.
Ali is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Aleelel.
Ali gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Aleelel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Aleelel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Aleelel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ali's head.
Ali throws a front kick aimed at Aleelel's knee but Aleelel avoids it well.
Shabazz Ali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ali shoots in looking for a takedown but Aleelel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ali's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Aleelel tries to close the distance and clinch but Ali swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck for Aleelel with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Aleelel wants to break the clinch but can't.
Aleelel is breathing heavily.

Ali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aleelel gets tackled into the cage by Ali. Ali maintains the clinch.
Ali wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shabazz Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aleelel tries to circle away but Ali has him pinned against the cage.
Ali tries to score a body lock takedown but Aleelel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ali jumps guard but Aleelel stands there with Ali around his waist. Ali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ali keeps control of Aleelel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ali pulls guard.
Ali pulls Aleelel in to control the position.
Ali has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aleelel has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Ali to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Aleelel is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Ali pulls down on the head and he's put Aleelel to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Shabazz Ali!