PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gray Test (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ummer Iqbal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Iqbal comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Run This Town kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ummer Iqbal was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Test
vs
Iqbal

177 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
23
150 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gray Test!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ummer Iqbal!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iqbal is looking to clinch.
Iqbal misses with a right hand
and Iqbal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Iqbal misses with a right hand
and Iqbal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Test.

Test looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Iqbal is looking for a sweep.

Test tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Test has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Test wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Iqbal, who protects the arm well.
Iqbal is looking for a sweep.

Test is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Iqbal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Iqbal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Test's best efforts.
Iqbal is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Test wants to pass to mount but Iqbal is defending the position.

Test is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Iqbal has one foot on Test's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Iqbal throws a right hand that misses

and Test counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Iqbal's guard now.
Test wants to pass the guard but Iqbal is keeping the position.
Test is working hard here to advance position.
Iqbal has his hands on Test's head, controlling the position.
Test stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Iqbal swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Test advances to half guard.
Iqbal trying to hold on to Test's head to control him but Test postures up.

Test seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Iqbal pushes Test off looking to stand but Test dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Test is thwarting Iqbal's attempts to control the position.
Test tries to pass the half guard into mount. Iqbal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Test is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Iqbal sees it coming and defends easily.
Test trying to pass the guard but Iqbal defending well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Iqbal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Test's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Test's back!
Test is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Iqbal.
Test rolls, trying to escape but Iqbal keeps control of the position.
Iqbal controlling the position well here. Test rolled but Iqbal kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Test tries to roll but Iqbal sticks to his back.
Iqbal biding his time, controlling Test.
Test might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iqbal has the hooks in. Test is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Test rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Iqbal is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ummer Iqbal was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Iqbal throws a looping overhand right but Test ducks down to avoid it.
Iqbal misses with a right hand

and Test counters with a takedown into side control.
Test tries to move into full mount but can't pass Iqbal's legs.

Test wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Iqbal, who protects the arm well.

Test is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Iqbal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Iqbal is holding Test down, trying to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iqbal wants to get back to his feet but Test drags him back down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iqbal stops Test from passing to mount.
Iqbal manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Test seems to be looking for submissions.
Iqbal controlling the position for now.
Test looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Iqbal regains full guard. Nicely done.
Test looking to pass the guard.
Iqbal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Test's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Test looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Test is breathing heavily.

Iqbal stands and steps away. Test gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Test dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Iqbal misses with a hook. Test ducked under it nicely.
Test misses with a takedown attempt
and Iqbal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Test is trying hard to land a takedown here. Iqbal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Iqbal misses with an uppercut

and Test counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Test.
Test pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Iqbal is keeping the position for now.
Iqbal has Test pulled in close to control his posture.
Test trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Iqbal is on top in guard.

Test is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Iqbal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Iqbal stands up from Test's guard - Iqbal perhaps looking for a knockout.
Iqbal doesn't manage to clinch there - Test circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iqbal misses with a body punch

and Test counters with a nice double leg into side control. Iqbal won't be happy with that.

Test is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Iqbal has escaped the position, nice work there.
Iqbal manages to get back to half guard.
Iqbal is trying to get back to full guard.
Iqbal keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Test wants to pass the guard but Iqbal is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iqbal is controlling Test's trapped leg to prevent Test from advancing to side control.
Gray Test overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ummer Iqbal has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Iqbal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Test with a poor takedown
and Iqbal counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gray Test. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Iqbal misses with a left hand

and Test counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Test wants to pass the guard but Iqbal is keeping the position.
Test stops Iqbal from standing up.
Test pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Iqbal is keeping the position for now.

Iqbal has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Test off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Iqbal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Iqbal. No joy for Test on that attempt.
Test takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Iqbal waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Test.
Iqbal throws a sloppy body shot

so Test counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Test is pushing down on Iqbal's leg trying to pass to half guard. Iqbal is fighting to maintain full guard but Test has managed to sneak the leg through.
Test stops Iqbal from getting back to his feet.
Iqbal trying to control from the bottom.
Iqbal might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Test kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Test is looking to advance position but Iqbal won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Test passes the guard and advances to mount!
Iqbal controls the position.

Test wants to finish this one by submission but Iqbal is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Test.
Test avoids the attempt from Iqbal to control.

Test is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Iqbal can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Iqbal is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Iqbal is controlling an arm, preventing Test from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Iqbal regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gray Test will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Iqbal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Iqbal misses with a right hand

and Test counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Iqbal manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Iqbal stuffs the takedown.
Iqbal misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Test counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Test is pressing down on Iqbal's thigh, looking to free his foot. Iqbal is holding on for now.
Iqbal is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Test's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Test's back!
Iqbal really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Test.
Iqbal has the hooks in. Test is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Test wants to escape the position.
Iqbal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Iqbal is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Test tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Test tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Iqbal is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Test fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Iqbal avoids it really well and circles away.
Iqbal misses with an uppercut

and Test counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Iqbal is looking to escape.
Iqbal won't allow Test to pass to mount.

Test is looking for a kimura but Iqbal is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Test to get the leverage.

Iqbal manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ummer Iqbal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iqbal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Test's head.
Iqbal thows a body shot but no joy.
Test uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Iqbal.
Iqbal throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Test counters with a nice double leg into side control. Iqbal won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iqbal prevents Test from moving into mount.
Iqbal is pushing Test's head away, looking to escape. Test manages to hold on to the position though.

Test tries for a kimura but Iqbal is defending well.
Iqbal wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Iqbal stops Test from passing to mount.

Test tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Test tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Iqbal is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Test is controlling him well.

Test is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Iqbal has escaped the position, nice work there.

Iqbal bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Iqbal swings widly with a right hand

and Test decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Iqbal's guard.
Test stands and throws Iqbal's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Test thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iqbal throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

Test is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Iqbal knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Test working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Iqbal pushes Test away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Test gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Iqbal prevents Test from improving position.
Gray Test is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Test advances to full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Test showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Test, 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gray Test!