PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hin Areni (ranked 1115 p4p, 631 weight class) and Abduwali Hassan (ranked 127 p4p, 71 weight class). Areni comes to the cage accompanied by Mosaique. Abduwali Hassan told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Areni
vs
Hassan

169 cm
35
147
16 - 9 - 0

170 cm
28
154
16 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Shadow Realm Apparel

Brooklyn 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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hin Areni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abduwali Hassan!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Areni drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Hassan is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Hassan tries to circle away but Areni has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hassan.
Areni can't find room to land a body shot as Hassan controls the action.
Areni misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Hassan.
Areni stalling in the clinch but Hassan improves position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hassan.
A body shot lands from Areni.
Areni misses with a punch on the inside.
Areni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Areni throws a head punch that misses.
Hassan can't find room to land a body shot as Areni controls the action.

Hassan manages to break the clinch.
Hassan lands a jab.
Areni misses with a straight right.
Areni on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hassan. Hassan obviously looking to wear him down.
Areni is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Areni blocks a head kick by Hassan.
Hassan lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan moves out of range as Areni strikes.
Hassan has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Hassan throws a head kick but Areni moves out of range.
Areni drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hassan sprawls and moves away.
Areni tries to clinch but Hassan moves out of range.
Areni tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hassan moves out of range of the body kick.
Areni ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Areni swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Areni misses its intended target.
Hassan thuds a left hand into Areni's body.
Areni is looking to clinch but Hassan is avoiding it.
We've been told by Areni's head coaches at Mentor Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Areni shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Areni was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Hassan sneaks out the side door and pushes Areni away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
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 wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hassan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hassan ducks under a wild hook from Areni.
Hassan looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Areni clinches up against the cage.
Areni has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hassan after a bit of a struggle.
Areni prevents a body shot from Hassan.
Hassan lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Areni.
Areni has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hassan after a bit of a struggle.
Hassan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hassan pushes Areni back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Hin Areni has been cut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Areni takes a shot to the head.
Hassan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hassan is leaning against Areni and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hassan misses with a body punch.
Areni is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hassan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hin Areni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Areni is breathing heavily.
Hassan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hassan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hassan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hassan lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Areni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hassan lands an uppercut.
Hassan scores with a shot to the side of Areni's head.

Areni is rocked!
Hassan lands a left hand.
Oh Areni is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Areni trying to stall but Hassan improves his position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hassan.
Areni seems to have got his legs back now.
Hassan pushes Areni back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Areni pushes Hassan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Hassan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hassan throws a leg kick which misses Areni's front leg but catches the back leg as Areni tries to avoid it.
Areni misses with a leg kick.
Hassan thuds a left hand into Areni's body.
Hassan scores with a decent looking hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hassan tries a head kick but it misses.
Areni was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Areni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hassan.
Areni takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hassan thumps Areni with a low kick.
Areni uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hassan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hassan loads up on a big right hand but Areni slips the punch.
Areni scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A big left from Areni misses.
Hassan connects with a solid leg kick.
Areni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Areni 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.
Hassan is looking to stand up but Areni isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Areni content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Areni throwing strikes from guard but Hassan blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Areni throws a big elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abduwali Hassan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hin Areni's cut.
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.

Areni misses with a body kick.
Hassan looks to score with a jab to the body but Areni is just out of range.
Areni is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hassan scores with a nice strike.
Areni shoots and misses
and Hassan counters with a low kick, right behind Areni 's knee.
A big left from Hassan misses.
Some wild striking there from Areni.
Areni connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hassan's hands.
Hassan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Areni scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Areni swings for the body but Hassan moves out of range.
Abduwali Hassan seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Areni clinches up against the cage.
Hassan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Areni gets a trip takedown into half guard.
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 is looking to escape.
Areni takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan tries to kick Areni off but Areni keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Hassan manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Abduwali Hassan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hassan cracks Areni with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hassan lands a high kick!
Hassan lands with a straight right. Areni didn't see that one coming.
Areni misses with a looping left.
Hassan lands a head kick!
Areni fails with an attempt to clinch.
A jab from Areni misses.
Areni looks to land a body kick but Hassan moved away.
Good exchange - Hassan coming out on top.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hassan lands with an overhand left.
Hassan scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hassan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Areni thows a body kick. Hassan tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Hassan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hassan lands a right hook to the body.
Hassan checks a leg kick nicely.
Areni ducks under a wild hook from Hassan.
Areni motions for Hassan to come forward. Areni throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Areni misses with a series of wild punches.
Areni wants to land a leg kick but Hassan is out of range.
Areni keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hassan.
Hassan misses with a hook. Areni ducked under it nicely.
Hassan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Areni looks to land a left hand but Hassan moved out of range nicely.
Hassan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hassan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Areni takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hassan connects with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Areni slips a straight right by Hassan.
Hassan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A swing and a miss from Hassan.
A big right from Hassan misses.
Areni throws a leg kick but Hassan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hassan throws a head kick that misses.
Areni thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hassan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hassan takes a swing at Areni's ribcage but misses.
Hassan throws a big shot that misses.
Areni moves out of range of the strikes.
Hassan throws a looping overhand right but Areni ducks down to avoid it.
Areni throws out a loose jab but Hassan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Hassan.
Areni tries to bum rush Hassan with a series of wild strikes but Hassan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Areni misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Areni.
Hassan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Areni.
Hassan sizes up Areni with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A left lands for Hassan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hassan throws a big shot that misses.
Areni shoots in for a takedown but Hassan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Areni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hassan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hassan.
Areni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hassan.
And Hassan responds with a good body kick, but Areni manages to step out the way in time.
Hassan throws a head kick but Areni moves out of range.
Hassan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Areni.
Areni cracks a nice hook into Hassan's ribs.
Hassan moves out of range of the leg kick from Areni.
Hassan lands a nice shot that snaps Areni's head back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Areni slips under a jab from Hassan.
Hassan missing with a left hand there. Areni was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abduwali Hassan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hin Areni's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hassan misses with a hook. Areni ducked under it nicely.
Hassan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Areni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Areni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Areni tries to move into range but Hassan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Areni.
Areni misses with a low kick.
A good leg kick by Hassan.
A jab from Hassan misses.
Areni swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Good shot there by Hassan.
Decent striking displayed by Areni there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hassan scores with a head kick.
Areni scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Areni.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hassan misses with a hook.
Hassan slips under a jab from Areni.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areni has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Areni there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hassan throws a leg kick but Areni moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Areni. Hassan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hassan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Areni misses with a looping right.
Hassan misses with a body kick.
A big left from Areni misses.
Areni doesn't manage to clinch there - Hassan circles away.
A head kick misses from Areni.
Areni takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hassan throws a jab when Areni was well out of range.
Areni moves out of range as Hassan strikes.
Hassan looks to throw the jab but Areni is out of range.
Areni takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Areni defending well as Hassan loads up on a big left hand.
Good leg kick by Hassan.
Hassan just misses with a punch to the body.
Areni staying out of range there.
Hin Areni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abduwali Hassan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hassan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hassan throws a jab when Areni was well out of range.
Areni is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hassan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Areni.
Hassan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Areni changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hassan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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!
Areni swings widly with a right hand
and Hassan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A chopping leg kick lands by Areni.
Areni moves forwards but Hassan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Areni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hassan throws a lazy right hand but Areni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Areni looks to land a right hand but Hassan moved out of range.
Hassan lands a body shot.
Areni tried to score with a low kick but Hassan checks it.
Areni shoots in looking for a takedown but Hassan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Areni's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Areni shoots in but Hassan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Areni's hands.
Areni missing with a left hand there. Hassan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Areni misses with a leg kick
and Hassan counters with a stiff right hand.
Areni on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hassan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Areni throws a body punch but Hassan moves out of range.
Areni wants to land a leg kick but Hassan is out of range.
Hassan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Hassan!
Areni throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
It seemed like Hassan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hassan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hassan lands a leg kick that knocks Areni off balance momentarily.
Areni throws the left hand but Hassan avoids the punch easily.
Areni throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Areni takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Areni looks to land a left hand but Hassan moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hassan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Areni misses with a low kick.
Hassan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Areni. Areni circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hassan scores with a jab to the head.
Hassan misses with a left hand

and Areni counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Hassan scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Areni wants to land a leg kick but Hassan is out of range.
Hassan connects with a single shot there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hassan.
Hassan with a hook.
Hassan throws the left hand but Areni avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hassan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hassan! But no joy.
Areni looks to land a right hand but Hassan moved out of range.
Hassan slips a straight right by Areni.
Areni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abduwali Hassan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hassan has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abduwali Hassan!
Abduwali Hassan very nearly forgot to thank Brooklyn Threads amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.