A former Olympic wrestler for Tunisia, Slim Trabelsi began his MMA career in March 2019, quickly racking up wins and a regional heavyweight title. Trabelsi, a wrestling specialist, has continued to work on his striking, picking up four wins via finish. Trabelsi is 2-0 since signing with Bellator, defeating Davion Franklin and Louie Sutherland.

 

Abraham Bably went 4-0 as an amateur fighter, going on to win amateur heavyweight gold before turning pro. Since then, he’s 5-0 and has built momentum with wins in both PFL and Bellator. Bably, a former soccer player, defeated Sutherland and Hassan Graham in PFL, as well as Isaiah Pinson this past March in Bellator, before his most recent win against Vanderlei Junior in September.

 

Who will impress in this heavyweight showcase battle? Who’s zero will go?

 

 

Round 1

 

High kick from Trabelsi is blocked to start. Low kick from Bably. Front kick from Trabelsi. Left hand from Trabelsi. High kick from Trabelsi misses. Left hand from Trabelsi. Trabelsi misses a takedown attempt. Front kick from Trabelsi, who follows with a combination. Strong one-two from Bably. Front kick from Trabelsi. Trabelsi sees another front kick blocked. Right hand from Trabelsi. Low kick from Bably, followed by a high one. Trabelsi lands a kick to the midsection. Bably dodges another Trabelsi takedown attempt. Right hand from Bably. Strong right hand from Trabelsi. Low kick from Trabelsi. Trabelsi with a strong kick to the body. The two trading power shots.

 

Low kick from Bably takes Trabelsi’s balance out briefly. A couple of strong right kicks. Front kick from Trabelsi. Overhand right from Trabelsi. Trabelsi catches a low kick and goes to press Bably into the fence. Bably is able to get away. The two swing again. Big right overhand from Bably – and Trabelsi responds in kind. Low kick from Trabelsi. Round kick to the body by Trabelsi. Inside left hand from Bably. Trabelsi misses a high kick. Round kick by Trabelsi. Front kick from Trabelsi misses. Left hand from Bably. Round kick from Trabelsi is blocked. The two exchange right before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Short side kick from Bably. Trabelsi flashing his kicks – both high and low – again. Left hand missed for Trabelsi. Trabelsi flashes his right as Bably backs up. Round kick from Trabelsi. Left hand from Trabelsi. Another kick by Trabelsi. High kick lands to the head of Bably. Right hand by Trabelsi. Low kick from Bably – but Trabelsi continues to land his kicks. Left hand and a low kick from Trabelsi. Body kick from Trabelsi. Left hook by Bably. Trabelsi works a combination. Body kick from Trabelsi.

 

Low kick from Trabelsi. Bably with one of his own. Left hand from Bably. Trabelsi’s kick is blocked. Strong kick lands on Bably’s forearm. Another leg kick from Trabelsi. Strong left hand DROPS Trabelsi! Trabelsi defends and scrambles back to his feet. Now, it’s Bably coming forward with control. Low kick from Trabelsi. Another strong left hand from Bably. Trabelsi goes for a takedown, but Bably sprawls. Trabelsi tries for a second effort and brings Bably to the fence, but Bably defends it well. Trabelsi gets elevated on Bably, and he scores the takedown after some struggle. Trabelsi with a crossgrip and he lands some ground-and-pound before the bell.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick from Trabelsi. Low kick from Bably. Low kick from Trabelsi. Another low kick from Bably. The pace has slowed down a bit here. Low kick from Trabelsi. Quick jab from Trabelsi. Front kick to the body, but it’s blocked by Bably. Trabelsi with a level change, but Bably holds off Trabelsi’s efforts. Low kick from Trabelsi. Both men land jabs. High kick from Trabelsi is blocked. Bably stops another Trabelsi takedown attempt. Body kick from Trabelsi. Low kick from Trabelsi.

 

Right overhand from Trabelsi. High kick from Trabelsi. Both men land a left hand. Another takedown attempt from Trabelsi, and he scores it after some effort. Trabelsi lands a few right hands. Trabelsi landing punches to the head as he works from top position in half mount. Trabelsi landing left hand after left hand, working body-head. Trabelsi remains in this control as the fight concludes.

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Slim Trabelsi defeats Abraham Bably by split decision (29-28x2, 28-29) in a PFL HW Showcase Bout

Trabelsi moves his undefeated record to 8-0

Trabelsi qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in wrestling