PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ima Llama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Basheer Saleh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Llama
vs
Saleh

180 cm
25
135 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

168 cm
23
144 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

[MMABR] WIN Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ima Llama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Basheer Saleh!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Llama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saleh.
Llama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Llama wants to clinch
and Saleh counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saleh misses with an uppercut. Llama saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Llama looks to clinch
and Saleh counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Llama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Saleh counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Llama looking for submissions off his back.
Llama regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Llama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saleh forces his way into half guard.
Llama slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Saleh passes into half guard.
Saleh wants to pass to mount but Llama is defending the position.
Llama really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Llama is looking to improve his position.
Saleh not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Saleh is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Llama is looking to control Saleh's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Llama avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saleh controlling the action here.
Llama pushes Saleh off looking to stand but Saleh dives back in and keeps control.
Llama has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Saleh is working away from the top position though.
Llama is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Llama is trying to maintain the position but Saleh is very close to passing his half guard.
Llama is not content to let Saleh control the position.
Llama trying to control but Saleh postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Llama with a lazy takedown attempt

and Saleh counters with a takedown into side control.
Saleh moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Llama is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Saleh off and has taken his back!
Llama keeps control of the position easily here as Saleh tries to buck him off.
Saleh looking to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Llama closes the distance but Saleh moves to the side

and Saleh counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Saleh.
Llama has Saleh pressed against the cage, preventing Saleh from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Llama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saleh circles away from the clinch attempt.
Llama wants to clinch but Saleh slips to the side
and Saleh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Llama thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Llama tries for a takedown but Saleh circles away easily

and Saleh counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Saleh.
Llama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Saleh.
Llama trying to control the position.
Saleh looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Llama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Llama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saleh is one step ahead there.

Saleh avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Llama keeping moving, preventing Saleh from controlling successfully.
Saleh stays in close to Llama's body and controls the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Llama fails with the takedown

and Saleh decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Llama's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Llama controls Saleh momentarily but Saleh frees himself.
Saleh trying to move into half guard but instead Llama has managed to sweep!
Llama controls from within his opponent's guard.
Saleh wants to sweep but no luck.
Llama controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saleh trying to control the position here.

Saleh is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Llama defends well.

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.
Saleh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Llama accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Llama drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Llama jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Llama wants to clinch

and Saleh counters with a nice double leg into side control. Llama won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basheer Saleh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Saleh misses with a body shot.
Saleh misses with a wild combination.

Llama scores with a takedown into Saleh's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saleh keeping moving, preventing Llama from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Llama is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Saleh is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Llama throwing strikes but missing.
Llama won't allow Saleh to sweep him here.
Llama looking to pass the guard.
Saleh trying to keep a closed guard but Llama is proving a slippery customer.
Saleh keeping moving, preventing Llama from controlling successfully.
Saleh is trying to control the position but Llama postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Saleh misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Llama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Saleh counters with a shoot takedown. Llama fights it but they end up in guard.
Saleh wants to stand but Llama has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Llama keeping moving, preventing Saleh from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Llama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saleh defends well.
Saleh is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Llama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Saleh is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Saleh got a little sloppy there for a moment and Llama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Saleh has managed to get both his arms back between Llama's legs - danger averted.
Saleh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Llama is keeping the position for now.
Llama is trying to keep Saleh in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Saleh lands a couple of digs.

Llama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Saleh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Llama is keeping the position for now.
Saleh is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Saleh circles away from the clinch attempt

and Saleh counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Llama's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basheer Saleh really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Saleh shoots for a takedown but Llama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Llama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Saleh counters with a takedown into side control.
Saleh wants to control but Llama is keeping him busy.
Basheer Saleh has got the better of the ground game so far.

Saleh decides to stand back up.
Llama darts in trying to clinch

and Saleh counters with a single leg into guard. Llama didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Llama isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Saleh stacks Llama on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Saleh!
Saleh is staying tight to Llama's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Llama can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two 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.
Saleh is looking to take a break and control but Llama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Saleh thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Llama is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Saleh off and has taken his back!
Llama controlling well, preventing Saleh from escaping the position.
Llama controlling the position well here. Saleh rolled but Llama kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Saleh trying to control the position but Llama manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Llama throwing damaging strikes from the back! Saleh could be in trouble here!
Llama punishes Saleh with strikes from the back mount.
Llama doesn't have the hooks in and Saleh manages to turn into his guard.
Saleh is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Llama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Saleh avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Saleh trying to control the position from guard on top but Llama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Llama trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Saleh works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saleh wants to pass to mount but Llama is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Llama gets full guard.
Saleh wants to control from the top but Llama keeps moving.
Saleh being controlled here momentarily.

Llama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saleh controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Llama will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Saleh wants to control from the top but Llama keeps moving.
Llama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basheer Saleh dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Llama wants to clinch but Saleh slips to the side

and Saleh counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saleh looking to sit in guard and control but Llama gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Saleh wants to sweep here but Llama controlling him for the moment.

Llama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Llama throwing strikes from guard but Saleh blocks nicely.
Llama wants to control from the top but Saleh keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Llama is really struggling to control Saleh but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saleh tries to bum rush Llama with a series of wild strikes but Llama uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Llama tries to clinch

and Saleh counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Basheer Saleh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Llama is trying to control the position but Saleh postures up.
Llama is striking but Saleh is not phased and passes to half guard.
Saleh stalling.
Saleh stops Llama from getting back to his feet.
Saleh is taking a breather. Llama says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Saleh is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Saleh is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Llama is not content to let Saleh control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Llama controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Llama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saleh keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Saleh is thwarting Llama's attempts to control the position.

Llama looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Llama closes the distance looking to clinch

and Saleh counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ima Llama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saleh is thwarting Llama's attempts to control the position.
Llama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saleh is keen to just control but Llama is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Basheer Saleh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saleh 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 45:50
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Basheer Saleh!
Basheer Saleh is the new bantamweight champion!