PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ike Ibeabuchi (ranked 1127 p4p, 119 weight class) and Samuel Morris (ranked 2200 p4p, 210 weight class). Morris has chosen AWOLNATION - Sail as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ibeabuchi
vs
Morris

188 cm
23
244 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

176 cm
22
230 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ike Ibeabuchi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samuel Morris!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibeabuchi throws a series of punches but Morris moves out of range.
Morris is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ibeabuchi fails to land with a series of punches.
Ibeabuchi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ibeabuchi wants it to stay on the feet.
Morris misses with a takedown attempt
and Ibeabuchi counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Samuel Morris has been cut.
Morris uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ibeabuchi.
Ibeabuchi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Morris moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ibeabuchi drops Morris with a beautiful combination! Morris stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Ibeabuchi is looking for the KO!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibeabuchi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ibeabuchi wants it to stay on the feet.
Ike Ibeabuchi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samuel Morris.
Morris shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ibeabuchi pinned against the cage. Ibeabuchi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've been told by Ibeabuchi's head coaches at Just Scrap MMA and BJJ that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A punch combination from Ibeabuchi misses.
Morris takes one on the button.

That has opened up Samuel Morris's cut even more.
Ibeabuchi avoids a punch combination nicely.
A quick step to the side and Ibeabuchi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibeabuchi lands a body shot.
Ibeabuchi looks to score with a jab to the body but Morris is just out of range.
Morris tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ibeabuchi was well out of range. Poor timing from Morris.
Ibeabuchi is looking to counter punch.
Ibeabuchi throws a body punch but Morris moves out of range.
Morris tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ibeabuchi is looking to wear down Morris with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ibeabuchi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Morris counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Morris looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Morris throws an elbow that misses. Ibeabuchi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Morris's guard. Nice move by Ibeabuchi!

Morris has a closed guard, preventing Ibeabuchi from standing up.

Ibeabuchi stands and steps away. Morris gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ike Ibeabuchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Ibeabuchi as Morris shoots in.
Good exchange - Ibeabuchi coming out on top.

The cut above Samuel Morris's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Morris is sent reeling backwards by a solid uppercut. He barely regains his balance and Ibeabuchi moves in for the kill throwing a continuous barrage of punches that force the ref to step in.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ike Ibeabuchi!
Ike Ibeabuchi retains his heavyweight title!