PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Almedin Hafizovic (ranked 24500 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lincoln Morissette (ranked 3970 p4p, 0 weight class). Almedin Hafizovic looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Hafizovic
vs
Morissette

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

179 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Almedin Hafizovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lincoln Morissette!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hafizovic throws a sloppy head kick and Morissette moves out of range easily.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Hafizovic moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Morissette.
Morissette looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morissette looks winded!
Morissette throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hafizovic counters with a series of strikes. Morissette will be more careful next time no doubt.
No luck for Hafizovic with that takedown attempt.
Morissette takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Morissette works over Hafizovic's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A combination from Morissette does no damage.
Hafizovic appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Morissette misses with the combination.
Hafizovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hafizovic shoots in for a takedown but Morissette shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Morissette misses with a combination
and Hafizovic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hafizovic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almedin Hafizovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morissette misses with a double jab.

Hafizovic has managed to clinch.
Morissette wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Morissette tries to break free but Hafizovic pushes him back against the cage.
Morissette is trying to force a seperation but Hafizovic has the dominant position.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.

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

Hafizovic pushes Morissette up against the cage in a clinch.

Hafizovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Morissette misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hafizovic forces Morissette back against the cage and clinches.
A hook to the body from Hafizovic.
Morissette wants to get back to striking at distance but Hafizovic won't allow it.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Hafizovic lands a body punch in the clinch.
Morissette tries to break free but Hafizovic pushes him back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Hafizovic.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Hafizovic tries to score a body lock takedown but Morissette shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Morissette managing to block the knees to the body from Hafizovic.
Morissette tries to circle away but Hafizovic has him pinned against the cage.
Hafizovic is working for takedown but Morissette is calmly controlling the position for now.
Morissette wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hafizovic keeps control of Morissette as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morissette wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Morissette is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hafizovic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Morissette's efforts to push away.
Hafizovic has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hafizovic keeps control of Morissette as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hafizovic prevents Morissette from breaking the clinch.
Morissette is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Morissette wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hafizovic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Morissette tries to break free but Hafizovic pushes him back against the cage.
Hafizovic goes for a takedown attempt but Morissette pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Morissette tries to bum rush Hafizovic with a series of wild strikes but Hafizovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hafizovic tries to counter by clinching up but Morissette breaks away and moves out of range.
A punch combination from Morissette misses.

Hafizovic closes the distance and clinches.

Hafizovic has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Morissette uses from the top position.

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

Morissette stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Morissette looks to land a combination but Hafizovic avoids it well.
Hafizovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hafizovic changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Morissette moves out of range of the body kick from Hafizovic.
Morissette is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hafizovic.
Morissette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hafizovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hafizovic goes for a double leg but Morissette avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Morissette continues to drive forward.
As Hafizovic backs off Morissette throws a huge counter combo but Hafizovic manages to avoid it all.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Almedin Hafizovic will probably get the nod.
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.

Morissette fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hafizovic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Morissette as he avoids it easily.
Hafizovic shoots in looking for a takedown but Morissette manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hafizovic's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Morissette fails to land with a series of punches.
Morissette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hafizovic.
Hafizovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Morissette's head.
Morissette looks to land a combination but Hafizovic avoids it well.
Hafizovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Morissette.
Morissette misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morissette throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hafizovic counters with a nice body kick.
Morissette fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hafizovic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Morissette sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hafizovic somewhat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almedin Hafizovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morissette throws a series of strikes that have Hafizovic backpedaling.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hafizovic is defended easily by Morissette.
Morissette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hafizovic.
Hafizovic slips a jab and a cross from Morissette.
It looked like Hafizovic was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A combination from Morissette does no damage.
Nice sprawl there from Morissette as Hafizovic shoots in.
Morissette is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hafizovic dives in for a single leg takedown but Morissette sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Morissette throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hafizovic appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Hafizovic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Morissette's half guard.

Morissette manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Hafizovic keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Morissette is looking to break free of the clinch but Hafizovic has double underhooks.
Hafizovic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Morissette's efforts to push away.

Hafizovic pulls guard successfully.
Hafizovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Morissette stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Lincoln Morissette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morissette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morissette misses with a two punch combination.
Hafizovic appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Morissette falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hafizovic counters with a three punch combo that has Morissette backing up. Morissette nods at Hafizovic to acknowledge the strikes.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Hafizovic avoids them all with ease.
Hafizovic is looking to counter with head kicks.
Lincoln Morissette seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Hafizovic shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Morissette manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Morissette manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hafizovic shoots in but no luck this time.
Despite the aggression on Morissette's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Morissette throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Morissette throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hafizovic thuds a left hand into Morissette's body.
Morissette throws a right hand that Hafizovic ducks under and follows up with a left that Hafizovic also avoids with ease.
Morissette scores with a one two! Hafizovic had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Morissette misses with a combination
and Hafizovic counters with a series of strikes. Morissette will be more careful next time no doubt.
A combination from Morissette does no damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morissette misses with a double jab.
Almedin Hafizovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morissette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hafizovic shoots for a takedown but Morissette saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Morissette throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hafizovic fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hafizovic rushes Morissette and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Hafizovic is controlling the position.

Hafizovic manages to break the clinch.
Morissette looks to land a combination but Hafizovic avoids it well.

Hafizovic has managed to clinch.
Hafizovic lands a shoulder strike.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Hafizovic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hafizovic has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Morissette pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lincoln Morissette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hafizovic fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morissette looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morissette displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lincoln Morissette showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Morissette fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hafizovic misses with a takedown attempt - Morissette sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hafizovic lands a jab to Morissette's midsection.
Morissette misses with the combination.
Morissette circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hafizovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morissette lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hafizovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Morissette stuffs the takedown.
Morissette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Hafizovic feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Morissette kicks Hafizovic off and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morissette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Morissette misses with a double jab.
Hafizovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Morissette swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
No luck for Hafizovic with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almedin Hafizovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Hafizovic avoids them all with ease.
No joy there for Morissette, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hafizovic tries to clinch there but Morissette circles away.
Morissette lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Morissette misses with the combination.
Hafizovic appears to be looking for a big counter.

Hafizovic fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Morissette sprawls well initially but Hafizovic persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Morissette pushes Hafizovic off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hafizovic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Morissette misses with a jab, cross combination.

Hafizovic pushes Morissette up against the cage in a clinch.
Morissette wants to break free but Hafizovic has control.
Hafizovic has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Morissette wants to get back to striking at distance but Hafizovic won't allow it.
Hafizovic can't get the takedown.
Hafizovic has Morissette pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Morissette manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hafizovic is trying to pull guard but Morissette has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Hafizovic is controlling the position.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Hafizovic is controlling the position.
Hafizovic is working for takedown but Morissette is calmly controlling the position for now.
Morissette is looking to break free of the clinch but Hafizovic has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hafizovic.
Morissette wants to get back to striking at distance but Hafizovic won't allow it.
Hafizovic stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hafizovic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Morissette wants to break free but Hafizovic has control.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hafizovic has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Hafizovic is controlling the position.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch but Hafizovic keeps him there for the moment.
Hafizovic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Morissette pulls his leg out and moves away.
Morissette fails to land with a series of punches.

Hafizovic clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hafizovic lands a shoulder strike.
Hafizovic tries to stall but Morissette uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hafizovic fails to pull guard.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch but Hafizovic keeps him there for the moment.

Hafizovic breaks from the clinch.
No joy there for Morissette, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hafizovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morissette misses with the combination.
Hafizovic tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Morissette swivels and escapes.
Morissette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hafizovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hafizovic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Morissette swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hafizovic counters with a series of strikes. Morissette will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lincoln Morissette comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Morissette has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lincoln Morissette!