PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abduwali Hassan (ranked 415 p4p, 1596 weight class) and Daniel Barbosa (ranked 50 p4p, 174 weight class). Daniel Barbosa will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hassan
vs
Barbosa

170 cm
24
154
10 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
158
14 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

EFC Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abduwali Hassan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hassan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice straight punches there by Barbosa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Barbosa.
Barbosa's coach down at EFC Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Barbosa's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Abduwali Hassan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hassan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barbosa.
Barbosa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Barbosa wants to clinch up but Hassan keeps it at a distance.
Hassan swats away the attempt to clinch by Barbosa.
Barbosa swings for the body but Hassan moves out of range.

Barbosa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Hassan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but Hassan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barbosa works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hassan controlling the position.
Barbosa throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa trying to control but Hassan is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Hassan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a strike but Hassan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hassan stands up and waves to Barbosa to follow him.
Hassan looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbosa is just out of range.
Hassan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barbosa's sensitive parts.
Hassan loads up on a big right hand but Barbosa slips the punch.
Hassan scoring well with a low kick there.
Barbosa blocks a low kick nicely.

Barbosa darts in and clinches Hassan up against the cage.
Barbosa jumps guard but Hassan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Barbosa is trying to pull guard but Hassan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Abduwali Hassan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Barbosa.
Hassan struggles to land a body shot inside as Barbosa controls his hands.

Hassan manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to clinch up but Hassan keeps it at a distance.
Hassan thumps Barbosa with a low kick.
Hassan misses with a body shot.
Hassan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barbosa.
Barbosa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hassan misses with an uppercut. Barbosa saw that one coming.
Despite the aggression on Barbosa's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Hassan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barbosa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa checks the leg kick.
Hassan misses with a lunging right hand
and Barbosa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Barbosa is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barbosa throws a nice looking combination but Hassan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hassan circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hassan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barbosa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hassan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan is looking to slow Barbosa down with leg kicks.
Hassan throws a solid leg kick but Barbosa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hassan.
Barbosa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hassan throws a poor cross that misses
and Barbosa counters with a stiff right hand.
Hassan misses with a low kick.
Barbosa throws a body punch but Hassan moves out of range.
Barbosa lands a jab to Hassan's midsection.
Barbosa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hassan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hassan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barbosa counters with a nice uppercut.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barbosa moves out of range of the strikes.
Hassan throws a leg kick

and Barbosa counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hassan fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hassan.
Barbosa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hassan to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hassan pushes Barbosa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!

Hassan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hassan cracks Barbosa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barbosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hassan circles away quickly and effectively.
Hassan thuds a left hand into Barbosa's body.
Hassan missing with a left hand there. Barbosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barbosa wants to clinch.
Nice body punch from Hassan.
Hassan lands with a straight right. Barbosa didn't see that one coming.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abduwali Hassan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Barbosa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hassan is looking to counter punch.
Barbosa is looking to clinch.
Hassan thuds a left hand into Barbosa's body.
Hassan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barbosa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Barbosa avoids the body shot from Hassan.
Hassan swings widly with a right hand

and Barbosa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barbosa.
Hassan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barbosa is stalling in the full guard.
Barbosa throwing strikes from guard but Hassan blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa postures up and lands a big shot to Hassan's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barbosa forces his way into half guard.
Hassan wants to control but Barbosa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Barbosa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Barbosa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Barbosa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hassan defends it well.

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.
Barbosa misses with a head shot. Hassan uses the momentum to regain guard.
Barbosa lands a couple of digs.
Daniel Barbosa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barbosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hassan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barbosa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barbosa throws a strike but Hassan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hassan decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A jab from Hassan misses.
Daniel Barbosa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hassan scores with a punch to the head.
A swing and a miss from Barbosa.
Nice uppercut lands for Hassan. That snapped Barbosa's head back.
Barbosa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hassan.
Hassan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Hassan.
Barbosa is looking to clinch but Hassan is avoiding it.
Hassan misses with a low kick.
Barbosa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Barbosa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hassan has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Hassan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abduwali Hassan is winning the standup battle so far.
Barbosa fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa looks to land a right hand but Hassan moved out of range.
Barbosa moves out of range of the leg kick from Hassan.
Hassan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hassan lands the left hand.
Barbosa ducks under a wild hook from Hassan.
Hassan misses with a hook to the body
and Barbosa counters with a series of strikes. Hassan will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Hassan misses the target.
Hassan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hassan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barbosa in his tracks.
Hassan throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Barbosa to counter with a crisp jab.
Barbosa takes a swing at Hassan's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Abduwali Hassan will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Barbosa avoids the body shot from Hassan.
Barbosa staying out of range there.
Barbosa wants to clinch up but Hassan keeps it at a distance.
Hassan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Barbosa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A leg kick checked by Barbosa.
Hassan moves out of range of the body kick from Barbosa.
Barbosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hassan circles away from the clinch attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hassan.
Barbosa looks to clinch
and Hassan counters with a straight right hand.
Hassan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barbosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Hassan. That snapped Barbosa's head back.

It looks like Daniel Barbosa has been cut.
Hassan misses with a hook.
A low kick from Hassan is predictable there

and Barbosa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hassan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hassan.
Barbosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Barbosa wants a takedown but no success here.
Barbosa has Hassan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hassan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Abduwali Hassan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Barbosa.
Hassan effectively controlling the action here.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but Hassan holds him up against the cage and eventually Barbosa drops back down to his feet.

Barbosa decides to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hassan stands up and waves to Barbosa to follow him.
Hassan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hassan misses the jab.
Barbosa throws a series of strikes that have Hassan backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A swing and a miss from Hassan.
Hassan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hassan throws a hook but Barbosa avoids it easily.
Hassan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barbosa.
Hassan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hassan circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa staying out of range there.
A low kick from Barbosa is predictable there
and Hassan counters with a thumping low kick.
Barbosa wants to clinch up but Hassan keeps it at a distance.
Hassan throws a low kick, looking for Barbosa's leg but Barbosa calmly moves out of range.
Barbosa wants to counter the offense by Hassan and move into the clinch position.
Hassan misses with an uppercut. Barbosa saw that one coming.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hassan moves away.
Abduwali Hassan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barbosa tries to clinch but Hassan is having none of it.
Hassan misses the shot to the body.
Barbosa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hassan throws a poor cross that misses

and Barbosa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Barbosa.
Barbosa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hassan to keep the fight standing.
Barbosa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hassan working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa is trying to drag Hassan to the mat but Hassan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hassan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but Hassan won't allow it.
Barbosa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Barbosa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barbosa jumps guard but Hassan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but Hassan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Barbosa goes for a takedown attempt but Hassan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Barbosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hassan looks to throw the jab but Barbosa is out of range.
Hassan swings for the body but Barbosa moves out of range.
Daniel Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abduwali Hassan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hassan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abduwali Hassan!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Abduwali Hassan waved his t-shirt featuring Brooklyn Apothecary's logo in front of the cameras.
Daniel Barbosa was interviewed post fight and said 'shoutout to my sponsor, Brooklyn Threads and my team. They've been with me through the tough times. They helped me a lot and I will be back better. '.