PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abduwali Hassan (ranked 1355 p4p, 2432 weight class) and Bjj Catch Wrestler (ranked 132 p4p, 207 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hassan
vs
Catch Wrestler

170 cm
33
154
23 - 13 - 1

180 cm
35
158
22 - 25 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary

Un-Kaged Nutrition

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 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Abduwali Hassan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 25 - 0, fighting out of London, Bjj Catch Wrestler!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Catch Wrestler changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hassan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hassan is pushing Catch Wrestler's head away, looking to escape. Catch Wrestler manages to hold on to the position though.

Catch Wrestler goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Hassan has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Catch Wrestler but great work by Hassan.
Catch Wrestler has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Catch Wrestler wants to control but Hassan postures up.

Hassan stands up and beckons Catch Wrestler to his feet.
Catch Wrestler dives in and grabs Hassan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hassan pushes down on Catch Wrestler's head and hops out.
Catch Wrestler scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Catch Wrestler lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hassan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Catch Wrestler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Hassan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Catch Wrestler defending well as Hassan loads up on a big left hand.
And Catch Wrestler tries to counter it with a takedown but Hassan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hassan throws a looping overhand right but Catch Wrestler ducks down to avoid it.
Hassan throws an overhand right that lands on Catch Wrestler's shoulder, as Catch Wrestler tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hassan misses with a head kick.
Hassan stuffs the takedown.
Abduwali Hassan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjj Catch Wrestler.
Catch Wrestler slips under a jab.
Catch Wrestler with the counter takedown but Hassan avoids it easily.
Catch Wrestler lands with a nice combination. Hassan backs away looking to recover.
Hassan scores with a jab. Catch Wrestler acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hassan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hassan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Catch Wrestler slips under a jab.
Catch Wrestler checks a low kick from Hassan.
Catch Wrestler feints the counter takedown.
Hassan misses with a lunging right hand
letting Catch Wrestler counter with a right hand.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch up but Hassan circles away and keeps his distance.
Hassan misses with a low kick.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch but Hassan is having none of it.
Catch Wrestler slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Catch Wrestler cracks Hassan with an open hand slap.
Hassan is looking to land body kicks.
A swing and a miss from Catch Wrestler.
Hassan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hassan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Catch Wrestler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hassan.
Hassan misses with an uppercut.
Catch Wrestler takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hassan connects with a solid leg kick.
Hassan looks to land a right hand but Catch Wrestler moved out of range.
Catch Wrestler connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Abduwali Hassan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Catch Wrestler slips a straight right by Hassan.
Catch Wrestler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Catch Wrestler connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hassan. Hassan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hassan misses with an uppercut
and Catch Wrestler counters with a nice body shot.

Catch Wrestler darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Catch Wrestler is trying to control. Hassan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Catch Wrestler.
Hassan tries to kick Catch Wrestler off but Catch Wrestler keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Catch Wrestler working over Hassan with some ground and pound. Hassan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Catch Wrestler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hassan is refusing to be controlled, as Catch Wrestler sits in half guard.
Catch Wrestler misses with a head shot. Hassan uses the momentum to regain guard.
Catch Wrestler prevents Hassan from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Catch Wrestler throws a strike but Hassan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Catch Wrestler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Catch Wrestler is trying to keep Hassan in close.

Catch Wrestler is looking for a triangle here but Hassan uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Catch Wrestler gets back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abduwali Hassan will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hassan looks to throw the jab but Catch Wrestler is out of range.
Hassan scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hassan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Catch Wrestler's head.
Catch Wrestler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Catch Wrestler has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hassan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Catch Wrestler.
Hassan misses with a left hand
and Catch Wrestler counters with a stiff right hand.
Hassan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Catch Wrestler.
Abduwali Hassan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Catch Wrestler throws a jab but it's blocked by Hassan.
Hassan throws a head kick but Catch Wrestler moves out of range.
Hassan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Catch Wrestler was well out of range. Poor timing from Hassan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hassan throws a poor cross that misses
and Catch Wrestler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Catch Wrestler fails with a takedown attempt.
Hassan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Catch Wrestler closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan slips a jab and a cross from Catch Wrestler.
Catch Wrestler keeps the fight on the outside.
Bjj Catch Wrestler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hassan misses with a hook
letting Catch Wrestler counter with a right hand.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hassan enables Catch Wrestler to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hassan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hassan wants to stand up but Catch Wrestler is controlling him.
Catch Wrestler lands a couple of digs.
Hassan wants to stand up but Catch Wrestler is controlling him.
Catch Wrestler 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.
Abduwali Hassan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Catch Wrestler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Catch Wrestler passes Hassan's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Catch Wrestler seems to be working for a kimura but Hassan defends the submission attempt.

Catch Wrestler is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hassan is just riding it out for now. Catch Wrestler eventually gives up the hold.
Hassan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Catch Wrestler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan is trying to stand back up but Catch Wrestler is controlling him
Catch Wrestler throws a strike but Hassan avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Hassan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Catch Wrestler is controlling him.
Catch Wrestler trying to control the position from guard on top but Hassan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice jab there from Catch Wrestler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hassan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hassan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hassan takes one on the button.
Catch Wrestler shoots in for a takedown but Hassan shows good takedown defense.
Hassan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Catch Wrestler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hassan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hassan misses with a lunging right hand
and Catch Wrestler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Catch Wrestler tests Hassan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Catch Wrestler moves out of range of the leg kick from Hassan.
Catch Wrestler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hassan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Abduwali Hassan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjj Catch Wrestler.

Catch Wrestler drives through with a takedown into guard.
Catch Wrestler looking to pass the guard.
Catch Wrestler wants to control from the top but Hassan keeps moving.
And that is 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.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Catch Wrestler shoots in for a takedown but Hassan shows good takedown defense.

Catch Wrestler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hassan is trying to defend but Catch Wrestler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Hassan makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hassan looks to throw the jab but Catch Wrestler is out of range.
Hassan misses with a wild body shot.
Catch Wrestler throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
An attempted straight right counter from Hassan misses the target.
Hassan lands with a shot to the body.
Catch Wrestler throws a shot from downtown. Hassan moves away and avoids it.
Catch Wrestler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Catch Wrestler staying out of range there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hassan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Catch Wrestler counters with a series of strikes. Hassan will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hassan misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catch Wrestler looks to land a combination but Hassan avoids it well.
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.
Hassan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hassan looks to score with a jab to the body but Catch Wrestler is just out of range.
Hassan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Catch Wrestler throws a body shot but no joy.
An attempted straight right counter from Hassan misses the target.
Catch Wrestler wants to clinch
and Hassan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Hassan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Catch Wrestler lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Catch Wrestler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hassan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hassan manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hassan throws a punch but it's blocked by Catch Wrestler.
Catch Wrestler lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Catch Wrestler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hassan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Catch Wrestler scores with a shot to the side of Hassan's head.
Catch Wrestler struggles to land a body shot inside as Hassan controls his hands.
Hassan has Catch Wrestler pressed against the cage.
A short left from Hassan.
Catch Wrestler lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Catch Wrestler has a couple of punches blocked by Hassan.
A short right from Hassan on the inside.
Hassan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hassan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hassan gets underhooks to prevent Catch Wrestler's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan lands a nice shot to the body.
Catch Wrestler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hassan scores with a shoulder strike.
Catch Wrestler fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Hassan.
Hassan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hassan scores with a hook to the body.
Hassan digs a right hand into Catch Wrestler's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Catch Wrestler's gas tank.
Hassan gets through Catch Wrestler's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Hassan scores with a nice short uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Hassan.

Hassan breaks the clinch.
Hassan tries a head kick but it misses.
Hassan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Catch Wrestler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big left from Hassan misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hassan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Catch Wrestler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hassan counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hassan with a nice calf kick.
Hassan lands the left hand.

Catch Wrestler is rocked!
Hassan misses with a hook. Catch Wrestler ducked under it nicely.
Catch Wrestler is still on wobbly legs! Can Hassan finish him?
Hassan misses with a hook
and Catch Wrestler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A big left from Hassan misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hassan. Catch Wrestler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Catch Wrestler seems to have recovered his senses.
Hassan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Catch Wrestler.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hassan. Catch Wrestler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Catch Wrestler feints the counter takedown.
Hassan lands a jab to Catch Wrestler's midsection.
Hassan throws an overhand right that lands on Catch Wrestler's shoulder, as Catch Wrestler tries to avoid the shot.
Hassan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hassan throws a sloppy head kick and Catch Wrestler moves out of range easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abduwali Hassan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hassan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abduwali Hassan!
After winning the bout, Abduwali Hassan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.