PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yousri Hlali (ranked 4462 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tobias Westmoreland (ranked 3100 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Hlali
vs
Westmoreland

178 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yousri Hlali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tobias Westmoreland!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Westmoreland or perhaps it was just good defense by Hlali, which made it look bad.
Westmoreland's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Westmoreland duly obliges.
Westmoreland fails with a takedown attempt.
Hlali is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Westmoreland.
Westmoreland fails with a takedown attempt.
Yousri Hlali has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tobias Westmoreland.
Hlali is looking to clinch.
Westmoreland slips a straight right by Hlali.
Hlali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlali shoots in but no luck this time.
Hlali throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Westmoreland fails to land with a series of punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hlali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Westmoreland lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Westmoreland looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hlali flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Westmoreland seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Westmoreland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Westmoreland is looking for a kimura but Hlali is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Westmoreland to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlali is trying to control but can't.
Hlali is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Westmoreland is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Westmoreland is keen to just control but Hlali is a slippery customer.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hlali pushes Westmoreland off looking to stand but Westmoreland dives back in and keeps control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hlali goes for a double leg but Westmoreland avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Westmoreland continues to drive forward.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Westmoreland.
Nice takedown defense from Westmoreland. No joy for Hlali on that attempt.
Hlali is trying hard to land a takedown here. Westmoreland sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Westmoreland stuffs the takedown attempt from Hlali. Hlali gets slowly back to his feet.
Westmoreland takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlali throws a series of punches but Westmoreland moves out of range.
Westmoreland feints the counter takedown.

Hlali scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hlali is breathing heavily.
Westmoreland sneaks back into half guard.
Westmoreland is pressing down on Hlali's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Westmoreland lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Westmoreland wants to stand but Hlali is controlling his posture from full guard.
Westmoreland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlali is trying to keep Westmoreland in close.
Westmoreland stopping the sweep attempt from Hlali.
Westmoreland 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.
Westmoreland wants to control from the top but Hlali keeps moving.
Hlali is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Hlali looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tobias Westmoreland dominated that round.
That's time! Hlali's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hlali fails with the takedown.
Hlali shoots in looking for a takedown. Westmoreland tries to sprawl out of it but Hlali keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Westmoreland manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Westmoreland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yousri Hlali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hlali.
Hlali explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlali throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Westmoreland's waist but Westmoreland gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hlali off to one side.

Westmoreland instigates a clinch.
Hlali prevents Westmoreland from breaking the clinch.
Westmoreland stalling.

Westmoreland jumps guard and drags Hlali to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlali wants to get up but he can't break Westmoreland's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Westmoreland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hlali 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.
Westmoreland is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hlali is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Westmoreland is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Westmoreland throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Westmoreland working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hlali has passed into half guard!
Hlali is taking a breather. Westmoreland says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Westmoreland is staying active underneath Hlali, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Westmoreland pushes Hlali off but Hlali dives into side control.
Westmoreland sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westmoreland pushes Hlali off but Hlali dives into side control.
Westmoreland misses with a strike from the bottom.
Hlali is staying tight to Westmoreland's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Westmoreland dodges the ground and pound from Hlali.
Westmoreland wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Westmoreland is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Westmoreland's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Westmoreland misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hlali scores with a punch to the head.
No luck for Westmoreland with that takedown attempt.
Hlali fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Westmoreland takes the fight into the clinch.
Hlali tries for a takedown but Westmoreland manages to get underhooks.
Westmoreland prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hlali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hlali tries to pull guard but Westmoreland won't allow it.
Westmoreland is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hlali to keep the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Westmoreland's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tobias Westmoreland will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Westmoreland fails to land the takedown.
Hlali tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Westmoreland manages to circle out of the way.
Westmoreland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hlali tries to close the distance and clinch but Westmoreland swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Westmoreland misses with a takedown
and Hlali counters with a head kick. That will keep Westmoreland thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hlali tries to score a power double leg takedown but Westmoreland sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hlali somewhat.

Westmoreland instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlali tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Westmoreland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hlali breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hlali pushes Westmoreland up against the cage in a clinch.
Hlali is trying to break the clinch but Westmoreland has him pressed against the cage.
Westmoreland stops a takedown attempt from Hlali.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yousri Hlali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Westmoreland tries a knee to the head but Hlali blocks it.
Hlali tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Westmoreland smiles and moves away.
Tobias Westmoreland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hlali shoots for a double leg takedown but Westmoreland sprawls well. He's pushed Hlali's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Westmoreland appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Westmoreland moves into the clinch successfully.
Westmoreland stalls.
Westmoreland looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hlali is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Westmoreland pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hlali prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlali fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hlali keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Westmoreland's efforts to push away.
Hlali with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hlali wants to break the clinch but can't.
Westmoreland lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Westmoreland pulls guard effortlessly.
Westmoreland will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Westmoreland working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hlali doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hlali manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Westmoreland working for a triangle but Hlali defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlali throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Westmoreland works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hlali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hlali trying to control but Westmoreland is working from the bottom.
Hlali in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Westmoreland darts in and clinches Hlali up against the cage.
Hlali is trying to break the clinch but Westmoreland is controlling him.
Hlali throws a knee to the head but misses.
Westmoreland pushes Hlali back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Westmoreland is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hlali to keep the fight standing.
Hlali wants a takedown.
Hlali wants to break free but Westmoreland has control.
Hlali is trying to drag Westmoreland to the mat but Westmoreland just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hlali is trying to push Westmoreland away but Westmoreland has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tobias Westmoreland comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Westmoreland 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tobias Westmoreland!