PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jamal Al Rahabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Gillett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Al Rahabi
vs
Gillett

200 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jamal Al Rahabi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matt Gillett!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Rahabi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gillett fails to land with a series of punches.
Gillett tries a head kick but it misses.

Al Rahabi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gillett showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Al Rahabi wants to sweep here but Gillett controlling him for the moment.

Al Rahabi looking for a guillotine here but Gillett defends easily.
Gillett is pushing down on Al Rahabi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Rahabi is fighting to maintain full guard but Gillett has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Rahabi is trying to get back to full guard.
Gillett looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Al Rahabi trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Gillett manages to pass to mount!

Al Rahabi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gillett.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Al Rahabi looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Gillett gets his hands free as Al Rahabi looks to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gillett really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Al Rahabi.
Gillett punishes Al Rahabi with strikes from the back mount.
The referee is taking a good look at Al Rahabi as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Gillett!
Al Rahabi trying to control the hands but Gillett won't let him.
Gillett is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

It looks like Jamal Al Rahabi has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gillett biding his time, looking for the opening.
Al Rahabi rolls, trying to escape but Gillett keeps control of the position.
Good control from Gillett.

Gillett looking for the RNC.
Gillett really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Al Rahabi.

Al Rahabi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gillett has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Gillett controls the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Rahabi is really stuck here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gillett really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Al Rahabi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Gillett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jamal Al Rahabi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Al Rahabi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Al Rahabi slaps away a takedown attempt from Gillett, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Al Rahabi doesn't manage to clinch there - Gillett circles away.
Al Rahabi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gillett checks it well.
Jamal Al Rahabi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gillett dodges the punch combination from Al Rahabi.
Gillett swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Gillett closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Al Rahabi did well to prevent Gillett getting side control.
Gillett is looking to advance position but Al Rahabi won't allow it.

Gillett seems to be working for a kimura but Al Rahabi defends the submission attempt.
Al Rahabi is trying to maintain the position but Gillett is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Rahabi is looking for a sweep. Gillett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al Rahabi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Al Rahabi controlling the position.
Gillett is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Al Rahabi working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Al Rahabi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gillett.
Gillett tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Rahabi fails with the takedown

and Gillett counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gillett works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gillett controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Rahabi wants to control the action here but instead Gillett manages to pass to full mount!

Gillett is working for a guillotine from mount but Al Rahabi frees his head quite easily.
Gillett punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gillett controlling his opponent.
Let's hope that Gillett has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Matt Gillett has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Al Rahabi doesn't manage to clinch there - Gillett circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Gillett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jamal Al Rahabi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Al Rahabi darts in trying to clinch

and Gillett counters by moving into the clinch.
Al Rahabi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gillett has him pressed against the cage.
Al Rahabi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gillett's elbow.
Al Rahabi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gillett is working for takedown but Al Rahabi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Al Rahabi can't break the clinch.
Al Rahabi is trying to push Gillett away but Gillett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gillett trying to land knees to the body.
Gillett blocks an elbow strike from Al Rahabi.
Al Rahabi is trying to break free.
Al Rahabi tries to stall but Gillett uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gillett.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gillett has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Al Rahabi regains guard immediately.

Al Rahabi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gillett is aware though and is defending well.
Al Rahabi wants to stand but Gillett is controlling the position.
Gillett controls from within his opponent's guard.
Al Rahabi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gillett is pushing down on Al Rahabi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Rahabi is fighting to maintain full guard but Gillett has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Gillett is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gillett prevents Al Rahabi from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gillett is controlling the pace.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gillett passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Al Rahabi!
Gillett sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Rahabi is in a horrible position here. Gillett smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Gillett is landing with some decent strikes but Al Rahabi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Al Rahabi tries to lock up and control but Gillett gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gillett looking to control and managing it successfully.

Gillett jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Al Rahabi manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Rahabi struggling a bit here.
A lull in the action here as Gillett stalls from top position.

Gillett tries for a kimura but Al Rahabi is defending well.
Jamal Al Rahabi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish 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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Al Rahabi struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Gillett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gillett winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Gillett!
An out of breath Matt Gillett thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.