PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ri Zaadha (ranked 1006 p4p, 3596 weight class) and Bessarion Alexius (ranked 157 p4p, 448 weight class). Zaadha comes into the arena with Here I Am blaring out of the sound system. Alexius has chosen A Country Boy Can Survive as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zaadha
vs
Alexius

189 cm
30
177
20 - 13 - 0

178 cm
40
180
33 - 20 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ri Zaadha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bessarion Alexius!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zaadha moves into the clinch successfully.
Zaadha lands a nice uppercut.
Alexius scores with a shot to the side of Zaadha's head.
Alexius wants to stall.
Alexius can't find room to land a body shot as Zaadha controls the action.
Alexius softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Alexius escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zaadha scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice body punch from Alexius.
Zaadha lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zaadha misses with a left hand
and Alexius counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zaadha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaadha has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Zaadha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alexius shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zaadha as he avoids it easily.
Zaadha finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Alexius defending well as Zaadha loads up on a big left hand.

Zaadha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Alexius gets through Zaadha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Alexius wants to get back to striking at distance but Zaadha won't allow it.
Alexius lands with a light punch inside.
Alexius stalling in the clinch but Zaadha improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Zaadha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Alexius blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaadha takes a shot to the head.
Alexius has Zaadha pushed against the cage.
Alexius cracks Zaadha with a nice body shot.
Alexius effectively controlling the action here.
A shot in the inside from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaadha lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Alexius prevents a body shot from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands a nice uppercut.
Alexius tries a body shot but Zaadha blocks it.
Alexius is trying to stall.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaadha.
Zaadha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Zaadha.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaadha blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zaadha lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.
Alexius lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Alexius.
Alexius prevents a body shot from Zaadha.
Alexius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaadha working aggressively here.
Alexius stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Zaadha scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zaadha blocks an uppercut.
Zaadha can't find room to land a body shot as Alexius controls the action.
Zaadha digs a right hand underneath Alexius's ribcage. Alexius let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Alexius is trying to stall.
Nice body punch from Zaadha - that landed with a thud.
Still in the clinch, Zaadha scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexius.
Zaadha blocking some punches.
Alexius looking to stall.
Zaadha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Alexius.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zaadha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zaadha lands a left hand.
Alexius is looking to control Zaadha's arms but Zaadha gets an underhook and turns him. Now Alexius has his back to the cage.
Zaadha softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zaadha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alexiuss head.
A body shot lands from Zaadha.
Zaadha has a couple of punches blocked by Alexius.
Zaadha tries to work over Alexius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zaadha lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaadha keeps control of Alexius as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zaadha throws a punch but it's blocked by Alexius.
Zaadha working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaadha.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexius misses with the head strike.
Zaadha lands a body punch.
Zaadha lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaadha tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaadha lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.
Alexius is working for takedown but Zaadha is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha lands a shot to the body.
A short left from Alexius.
Alexius lands with a light punch inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaadha.
Zaadha lands a body punch.
Alexius looks winded!
Zaadha cracks Alexius with a nice body shot.
Zaadha struggles to land a body shot inside as Alexius controls his hands.
Zaadha tries to throw a body punch but Alexius avoids it by throwing Zaadha back against the cage.
Zaadha goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaadha throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zaadha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Alexius or not.
A short right from Zaadha on the inside.
Alexius swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Zaadha.
Alexius's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaadha is leaning against Alexius and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaadha is leaning against Alexius and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zaadha works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zaadha tries to throw a body punch but Alexius avoids it by throwing Zaadha back against the cage.
Zaadha pushes Alexius back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaadha scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ri Zaadha dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zaadha instigates a clinch.

Alexius has clasped his hands together around Zaadha's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaadha wants to get back to his feet.
Alexius controls the position from side control.
Alexius is looking to take a break and control but Zaadha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zaadha is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Alexius has just dragged him back down to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaadha takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexius controls the position.
Alexius trying to control the action but Zaadha is working from the bottom.
Zaadha is trying to buck Alexius off.

Zaadha explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Zaadha circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zaadha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaadha throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zaadha fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zaadha scores with a jab to the body.
Alexius on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Alexius or perhaps it was just good defense by Zaadha, which made it look bad.
Zaadha throws a push kick but Alexius slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Alexius misses.
Alexius on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Alexius tries to clinch up.
A good leg kick by Zaadha.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alexius throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alexius looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Alexius ducks right into an uppercut from Zaadha.
Zaadha bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zaadha smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Zaadha.
Zaadha misses with a body punch

and Alexius counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alexius.
Alexius stops Zaadha from standing up.
Alexius tries to free his leg and advance position but Zaadha is retaining full guard.
Alexius prevents Zaadha from getting back to his feet.

Zaadha manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alexius breaks the clinch.
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.
Alexius takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Alexius avoids a kick to the body.
Alexius smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zaadha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alexius.
Alexius scores with a jab to the body.
Donk. Zaadha catches Alexius right on the button with a cross.
Some wild striking there from Zaadha.
Alexius thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaadha is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Zaadha checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Alexius misses with a straight right.
Zaadha throws a shot from downtown. Alexius moves away and avoids it.
And Alexius tries to counter it with a takedown but Zaadha pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A punch lands to the side of Alexius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zaadha throws the left hand but Alexius avoids the punch easily.
Alexius unleashes a big counter combination but Zaadha bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Alexius looks to land a right hand but Zaadha moved out of range.
Zaadha is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zaadha fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Alexius.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Alexius looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zaadha is wriggling around but Alexius manages to pass to half guard.
Zaadha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alexius can do to turn this around?

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alexius stops Zaadha from getting back to his feet.

Zaadha pushes Alexius off and gets back to his feet.
Zaadha's jab looks to have found its range, popping Alexius under the eye.
Zaadha thumps Alexius with a low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaadha. That snapped Alexius's head back.
A low kick from Zaadha misses
and Alexius counters with an inside leg kick.
No joy there for Alexius, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zaadha half committed to a counter leg kick.
Zaadha lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zaadha dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body kick there by Zaadha.
Alexius misses the jab.
Zaadha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alexius swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ri Zaadha dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Zaadha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaadha misses with a body kick.
Zaadha tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Alexius misses the shot to the body.
Alexius is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Zaadha throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ri Zaadha is winning the standup battle so far.
Alexius throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaadha.
An attempted straight right counter from Zaadha misses the target.
Alexius takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Alexius's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Alexius duly obliges.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Zaadha checks a leg kick.
Zaadha lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zaadha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Zaadha.
Alexius stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zaadha.
Zaadha moves in looking to clinch but Alexius pushes him off.
Zaadha fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Alexius looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alexius takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alexius's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Alexius misses with a takedown attempt - Zaadha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexius lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nice sprawl there from Zaadha as Alexius shoots in.
Alexius takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Zaadha rushes Alexius and presses him up against the cage.
Zaadha lands an uppercut.
Zaadha misses with a punch to the body.
Alexius misses with the head strike.
Zaadha pushes Alexius back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaadha misses with the head strike.
Alexius drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ri Zaadha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bessarion Alexius.
Alexius takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zaadha lands with a right to the head.
Zaadha scores with a shoulder strike.
Zaadha pushes Alexius back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zaadha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alexiuss head.
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!
Zaadha gets through Alexius's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Alexius misses with a hook to the ribs.
Alexius tries to work over Zaadha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zaadha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alexius.
A short uppercut from Zaadha.
Ri Zaadha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zaadha.
Zaadha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alexius is trying to maintain a safe position but Zaadha gets an underhook and turns Alexius into the cage.
Alexius is looking to control Zaadha's arms but Zaadha gets an underhook and turns him. Now Alexius has his back to the cage.
Alexius wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Alexius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaadha lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Alexius tries to work over Zaadha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alexius misses with some punches.
Zaadha struggles to land a body shot inside as Alexius controls his hands.
Zaadha misses with the head strike.
Alexius stalling.
Alexius's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice right hand lands inside from Zaadha.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zaadha gets through Alexius's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Zaadha.
Zaadha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alexius's elbow.
Zaadha cracks Alexius with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Alexius.
Zaadha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zaadha misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alexius blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Zaadha on the inside.
Alexius digs a right hand into Zaadha's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zaadha's gas tank.
Zaadha is leaning against Alexius and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Alexius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alexius trying to stall but Zaadha improves his position.
Zaadha swings wildly with an uppercut but Alexius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaadha misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Zaadha on the inside.
Zaadha lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Zaadha.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaadha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zaadha cracks Alexius with a nice body shot.
Zaadha lands a shoulder strike.
Zaadha lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaadha scores with a hook to the body.
Zaadha lands a right hand.
Zaadha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Zaadha.
Zaadha tries a body shot but Alexius blocks it.
Zaadha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alexiuss head.
A right hand to the body from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands with a light punch inside.
Bessarion Alexius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaadha lands a hook that snaps the head of Alexius backwards.
Zaadha lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaadha throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zaadha lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Zaadha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Alexius's elbow.
Zaadha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaadha can't find room to land a body shot as Alexius controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ri Zaadha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaadha has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ri Zaadha!
An out of breath Ri Zaadha thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Bessarion Alexius was interviewed post fight and said 'Oh moth*****r, not again!'.