PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ade Absame (ranked 2770 p4p, 150 weight class) and Bjj Catch Wrestler (ranked 2779 p4p, 151 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Absame
vs
Catch Wrestler

166 cm
20
143 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ade Absame!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Bjj Catch Wrestler!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Catch Wrestler misses with a hook
enabling Absame to counter with a crisp jab.
Catch Wrestler tries for a takedown but Absame circles away easily
and Absame connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A swing and a miss from Absame.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Catch Wrestler has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Catch Wrestler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Absame looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Absame tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Catch Wrestler wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Absame, who protects the arm well.
Catch Wrestler trying to control the action but Absame is working from the bottom.
Absame tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Catch Wrestler wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Catch Wrestler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Catch Wrestler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Catch Wrestler tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Catch Wrestler is trying to get an arm triangle but Absame is defending well.
Catch Wrestler throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Absame manages to get back to half guard.
Absame is trying to get back to full guard.
Catch Wrestler is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Absame trying to control but Catch Wrestler postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Catch Wrestler is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Absame sees it coming and defends easily.
Absame is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Catch Wrestler is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Absame is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Absame blocking the ground and pound attempt from Catch Wrestler.
Absame might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Absame wants to get back to full guard.

Catch Wrestler is looking for a kimura here.
Absame is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Forge, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Catch Wrestler working Absame over with strikes.
Catch Wrestler works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Absame is trying desperately to improve position.
Catch Wrestler wants to take Absame's back but he can't do it this time.

Catch Wrestler with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Absame is in all sorts of trouble here.

Catch Wrestler with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Catch Wrestler landing strikes from the mount.
Absame tries to lock up and control but Catch Wrestler gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Catch Wrestler throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Catch Wrestler breaks from Absame's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Absame tries to reverse the position but Catch Wrestler maintains control.
Catch Wrestler takes Absame's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Absame is in trouble.

Catch Wrestler patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Well, with Catch Wrestler on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Absame is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Catch Wrestler patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Absame manages to reverse the position and now he's in Catch Wrestler's guard. Nice work there by Absame.

Absame got a little sloppy there for a moment and Catch Wrestler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Absame has managed to get both his arms back between Catch Wrestler's legs - danger averted.
Absame trying to control the position from guard on top but Catch Wrestler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Catch Wrestler trying to keep a closed guard but Absame is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjj Catch Wrestler dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Catch Wrestler shoots in for a double leg but Absame sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Catch Wrestler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Absame was well out of range. Poor timing from Catch Wrestler.
It looked like Absame wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Catch Wrestler throws a hook to the side of Absame's head but Absame sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Catch Wrestler shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Absame manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Catch Wrestler avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Catch Wrestler trying to control but Absame is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Absame is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Catch Wrestler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Absame works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Catch Wrestler trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Absame trying to keep a closed guard but Catch Wrestler is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Absame is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Catch Wrestler is aware though and is defending well.

Absame working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Catch Wrestler has passed into half guard!

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

Catch Wrestler looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Catch Wrestler prevents Absame from improving his position.
Bjj Catch Wrestler has got the better of the ground game so far.
Catch Wrestler is keen to just control but Absame is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Absame tries to get to full guard but Catch Wrestler has control of the leg.

Catch Wrestler is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Absame doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Catch Wrestler.
Absame works his way to full guard. Good work.
Absame trying to control the position.

Absame looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Catch Wrestler passes into half guard.

Absame is defending against the submission attempts here by Catch Wrestler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Catch Wrestler is looking for a kimura but Absame is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Catch Wrestler to get the leverage.
Absame works his way to full guard. Good work.

Absame throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Absame escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Catch Wrestler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Catch Wrestler passes Absame's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Catch Wrestler is working for a submission of some sort.
Catch Wrestler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Catch Wrestler moves into full mount! Absame won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Absame regains half guard.

Absame looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Absame is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Catch Wrestler pulls his head out easily.
Absame is looking for a sweep. Catch Wrestler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Catch Wrestler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Catch Wrestler is looking for a kimura here.
Catch Wrestler prevents Absame from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Absame avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Catch Wrestler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjj Catch Wrestler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Catch Wrestler looks to land a left hand but Absame moved out of range nicely.
Absame defending well as Catch Wrestler loads up on a big left hand.
Absame swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Absame slips a straight right by Catch Wrestler.
Catch Wrestler rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Absame connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Catch Wrestler throws a body shot but no joy.
Absame seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Catch Wrestler throws a poor cross that misses
and Absame counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Catch Wrestler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Absame counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Catch Wrestler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Absame tries to avoid it but Catch Wrestler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Absame to the ground. Absame escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Catch Wrestler with a poor takedown
and Catch Wrestler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ade Absame has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjj Catch Wrestler.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Catch Wrestler closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Absame to the mat! Absame manages to get full guard.
Absame throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Catch Wrestler works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Catch Wrestler controlling the action here.

Catch Wrestler is working for a submission of some sort.
Catch Wrestler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Absame actively working from the bottom here.
Absame wants to improve his position but Catch Wrestler is controlling well.

Absame actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Catch Wrestler is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Absame to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Absame shrugs it off.

Catch Wrestler has control of Absame's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Absame regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Absame sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Catch Wrestler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Catch Wrestler is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Absame is just riding it out for now. Catch Wrestler eventually gives up the hold.
Absame is looking for a sweep. Catch Wrestler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Catch Wrestler is trying to work for a kimura but Absame is defending well.
Absame manages to get to full guard.
Catch Wrestler trying to control but Absame is working from the bottom.
Bjj Catch Wrestler is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Catch Wrestler has gone for a leg lock! Absame slips out almost immediately though and dives into Catch Wrestler's guard.

Absame advances position into side control!
Catch Wrestler throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Ade Absame has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Absame throws an elbow but Catch Wrestler slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Catch Wrestler is trying to control. Absame wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Absame trying to get back to full guard but Catch Wrestler takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Catch Wrestler controlling the position easily from mount.
Absame prevents Catch Wrestler from taking his back.
Catch Wrestler controlling from mount.
Absame is trying desperately to improve position.
Absame tries to improve his position but instead Catch Wrestler has taken his back!
Catch Wrestler is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bjj Catch Wrestler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Catch Wrestler 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bjj Catch Wrestler!