PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bishop Brooks (ranked 4844 p4p, 5243 weight class) and Arudjiev Muhammad (ranked 481 p4p, 503 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Brooks
vs
Muhammad

181 cm
20
155
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
156
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bishop Brooks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arudjiev Muhammad!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muhammad stuffs the takedown.
Brooks moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMuhammad.
Brooks dives in and grabs Muhammad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Muhammad pushes down on Brooks's head and hops out.
Brooks shoots and misses

and Muhammad counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Brooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Brooks breaks from the clinch.
Brooks is looking to clinch but Muhammad is avoiding it.
Brooks shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Muhammad pinned against the cage. Muhammad gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhammad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brooks misses with a wild body shot.
Brooks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Muhammad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brooks somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muhammad drives through with a takedown into guard.
Brooks is looking to stand back up but Muhammad counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Brooks.
Brooks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Brooks tries to get out of the position.

Muhammad tries to pass the half guard into mount. Brooks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Muhammad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Brooks is looking to control Muhammad's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Brooks avoid being mounted?
Brooks tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Muhammad has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad controlling from mount.
It looks like Muhammad might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Muhammad has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Brooks is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhammad tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Muhammad's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Brooks connects with a solid leg kick.
Brooks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Muhammad avoids it really well and circles away.

Brooks clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Muhammad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Muhammad gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Brooks.
Brooks jumps guard but Muhammad turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Brooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammad tries for a takedown but Brooks manages to get underhooks.
Brooks is trying to break the clinch but Muhammad is controlling him.

Muhammad works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Brooks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Muhammad manages to get himself to full guard.

Brooks stops Muhammad from standing up.
Muhammad has Brooks pulled in close to control his posture.
Muhammad lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Muhammad seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Muhammad is continuing to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad wants to stand but Brooks is controlling his posture from full guard.
Muhammad controls from within his opponent's guard.

Brooks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Muhammad 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad wants to stand but Brooks has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Muhammad preventing the sweep.
Muhammad slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Muhammad controls the position.
Brooks is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Muhammad controls the position.
Arudjiev Muhammad has got the better of the ground game so far.
Muhammad wants to stand but Brooks is controlling his arm.
Check out the look on Muhammad's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Muhammad decides to stand back up.
Brooks has a takedown stuffed.
Bishop Brooks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brooks misses with a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Brooks enables Muhammad to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Brooks manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Muhammad wants to stand but Brooks is controlling his posture from full guard.
Muhammad controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arudjiev Muhammad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Muhammad looking to score a takedown here. Brooks is defending well but Muhammad drives through and ends up in Brooks's guard.
Brooks is trying to control the position but Muhammad postures up.
Muhammad showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Brooks looking for a sweep. Not yet Brooks, not yet.

Brooks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Muhammad is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhammad prevents Brooks from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammad passes Brooks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Brooks trying to hold on to Muhammad's head to control him but Muhammad postures up.
Muhammad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The adventures of Muhammad the control monster continue. Boring.
Brooks throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Muhammad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Brooks shoots for a double leg takedown but Muhammad sprawls well. He's pushed Brooks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Brooks thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Brooks fails with the takedown
and Muhammad counters with a right hand to the body.

Muhammad shoots in and bounces Brooks off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Muhammad pushes down on Brooks's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Muhammad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brooks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muhammad pulls his head out easily.
Muhammad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Brooks wants to improve his position but Muhammad is controlling well.
Muhammad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

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.
Muhammad working the head and body with strikes.
Muhammad keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Brooks missing with punches from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Muhammad is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bishop Brooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Muhammad throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brooks tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Muhammad is in Brooks's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muhammad is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Muhammad connects with a couple of short punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arudjiev Muhammad really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Brooks tries for a takedown but Muhammad sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brooks looks for a takedown but Muhammad sprawls well.
Brooks shoots in but Muhammad avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Muhammad is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Brooks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brooks tries to clinch up.
Brooks misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks doesn't manage to clinch there - Muhammad circles away.

Brooks gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Muhammad to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Muhammad showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammad pushing down on Brooks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Muhammad seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Brooks is looking for a sweep. Muhammad is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Muhammad controlling the action here.

That's two 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.
Muhammad tries to stand but can't do so whilst Brooks controls his leg.
Muhammad is pressing down on Brooks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Brooks is holding on for now.
Brooks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Muhammad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Brooks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muhammad.
Brooks closes the distance and clinches up with Muhammad, looking for a takedown. Brooks pushes Muhammad against the cage but Muhammad circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Muhammad shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Brooks's guard.
Muhammad is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Muhammad passes into half guard.
Muhammad is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Brooks.
Muhammad not doing much here.
Muhammad moves nicely into side control.
Muhammad controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arudjiev Muhammad dominated that fourth round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Muhammad keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Muhammad misses.
Nice sprawl there from Muhammad as Brooks shoots in.
Muhammad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Muhammad shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Brooks napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Brooks is trying to escape the position but Muhammad is controlling the position.
Muhammad lands a decent elbow from side control.
Muhammad taking a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Muhammad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks is trying to get back to half guard.
Muhammad content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Brooks wants to control but Muhammad postures up.
Muhammad taking a breather here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Muhammad lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Brooks down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Muhammad blocks the strikes from Brooks.
A lull in the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Brooks gets caught napping as Muhammad dives in and scores a takedown. Brooks manages to retain guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Muhammad preventing the sweep.
Brooks is striking from the bottom but Muhammad uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Muhammad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad wants to free his trapped foot but Brooks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Brooks trying to control here.
Brooks is looking to improve his position.
Muhammad slips a nice elbow through Brooks's hands, connecting with Brooks's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Muhammad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Muhammad closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Brooks to the mat! Brooks manages to get full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Muhammad is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Brooks is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arudjiev Muhammad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Muhammad 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arudjiev Muhammad!