PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Burak Tuncak (ranked 4987 p4p, 6923 weight class) and Tariq Ziyad (ranked 532 p4p, 0 weight class). Burak Tuncak looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Tuncak
vs
Ziyad

185 cm
20
205
1 - 0 - 0

215 cm
20
195
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Burak Tuncak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tariq Ziyad!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziyad throws a sloppy head kick and Tuncak moves out of range easily.
Ziyad fails with a takedown attempt.
Ziyad slips a straight right by Tuncak.

Ziyad rushes Tuncak and presses him up against the cage.

Tuncak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tuncak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ziyad throws a head kick but Tuncak moves out of range.

Tuncak drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ziyad manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuncak misses with a wild body shot.
Tuncak misses with a double jab.
Tuncak throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tuncak takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ziyad dodges the punch combination from Tuncak.
Ziyad tries to counter with a clinch but Tuncak shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuncak tries to bum rush Ziyad with a series of wild strikes but Ziyad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ziyad is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ziyad throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nice sprawl there from Tuncak as Ziyad shoots in.
Tuncak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ziyad circles away quickly and effectively.
Tuncak is breathing heavily.
Ziyad throws a right hand that Tuncak ducks under and follows up with a left that Tuncak also avoids with ease.
Tuncak checks a low kick from Ziyad.
Ziyad darts in looking for a takedown but Tuncak gets double underhooks and turns Ziyad into the cage.
Burak Tuncak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tariq Ziyad.
Tuncak throws a body punch but Ziyad moves out of range.
Ziyad tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tuncak throws a hook to the side of Ziyad's head but Ziyad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ziyad unleashes a big counter combination but Tuncak bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ziyad slips a straight right by Tuncak.
Tuncak looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Tuncak throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tuncak has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad swinging wildly here.
Ziyad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tuncak throws a big counter combination but Ziyad scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ziyad dodges the punch combination from Tuncak.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tuncak as he avoids it easily.
Tuncak changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ziyad tries to avoid it but Tuncak manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ziyad to the ground. Ziyad escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ziyad tries for a takedown but Tuncak sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ziyad.
Ziyad tries to clinch but Tuncak moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuncak misses with a series of wild punches.
Tuncak avoids the head kick by Ziyad.
Ziyad shoots in looking for a takedown. Tuncak tries to sprawl out of it but Ziyad keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tuncak manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ziyad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tuncak.
Tuncak slaps away a takedown attempt from Ziyad, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ziyad. Tuncak does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tuncak as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuncak throws a jab but it's blocked by Ziyad.
Ziyad tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tuncak misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Tuncak misses its intended target.
As Tuncak backs off Ziyad throws a huge counter combo but Tuncak manages to avoid it all.
Tuncak fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ziyad tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tuncak defends well and Ziyad ends up having to push Tuncak into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Burak Tuncak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziyad tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuncak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tuncak misses with a looping right.
Ziyad with a poor takedown
and Ziyad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ziyad lands a slapping body shot.
Ziyad shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tuncak pinned against the cage. Tuncak gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A little feinted left hand from Tuncak on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Burak Tuncak 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.

Tuncak scores with a one two! Ziyad had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ziyad goes for a double leg but Tuncak avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tuncak continues to drive forward.
Tuncak stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tuncak wants it to stay on the feet.

Tuncak shoots in and bounces Ziyad off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Ziyad scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Burak Tuncak is winning the standup battle so far.
Tuncak fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tuncak drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ziyad manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuncak jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ziyad walks away with a smile on his face. Tuncak gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Burak Tuncak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tuncak as he jumps to the side.
Burak Tuncak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tariq Ziyad.
Ziyad throws a sloppy head kick and Tuncak moves out of range easily.
Ziyad showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tuncak.
Ziyad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tuncak fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ziyad unleashes a big counter combination but Tuncak bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Ziyad throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tuncak was covering up waiting for the punch and Ziyad finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tuncak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuncak can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ziyad controls the pace.

Ziyad stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ziyad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tuncak defends it nicely.
Ziyad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tuncak defends it nicely.
Tuncak throws a series of punches but Ziyad avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ziyad has managed to clinch.
Tuncak goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ziyad prevents it.
Ziyad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tuncak has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ziyad.
Ziyad drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Tuncak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tuncak misses with a wild body shot.
Ziyad tries to land a front kick but Tuncak steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tuncak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sloppy strikes from Tuncak. Those never looked like landing.

Ziyad looking to score a takedown here. Tuncak is defending well but Ziyad drives through and ends up in Tuncak's guard.
Tuncak working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ziyad.
Ziyad passes into half guard.
Tuncak knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ziyad on the ground.
Ziyad is controlling the pace.
Ziyad passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tariq Ziyad will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ziyad changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tuncak tries to avoid it but Ziyad manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tuncak to the ground. Tuncak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ziyad gets caught napping as Tuncak dives in and scores a takedown. Ziyad manages to retain guard.

Ziyad has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Tuncak off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Tuncak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tuncak misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ziyad.
And Ziyad tries to counter it with a takedown but Tuncak pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ziyad changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tuncak tries to avoid it but Ziyad manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tuncak to the ground. Tuncak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ziyad gets a clinch.

Ziyad's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tuncak tries to bum rush Ziyad with a series of wild strikes but Ziyad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tuncak.
Ziyad shoots in and drives through. Tuncak sprawls well.
Burak Tuncak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tariq Ziyad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ziyad closes the distance and clinches up with Tuncak, looking for a takedown. Ziyad pushes Tuncak against the cage but Tuncak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tuncak is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad tries a head kick but it misses.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ziyad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tuncak.
Tuncak lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tuncak tries for a takedown but Ziyad sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ziyad tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuncak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tuncak dives in and grabs Ziyad's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ziyad pushes down on Tuncak's head and hops out.
Tuncak takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tuncak looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tuncak but Tuncak pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tuncak looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ziyad!

Ziyad sneaks out the side door and pushes Tuncak away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ziyad dives in for a single leg takedown but Tuncak sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tuncak went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Tuncak drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Ziyad throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Tuncak throws a hook to the side of Ziyad's head but Ziyad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tuncak loads up on a big right hand but Ziyad slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad is looking to chop away at Tuncak's legs.
Ziyad digs a good body shot into Tuncak's ribs.

Ziyad looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Tuncak manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Tuncak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Ziyad.

Tuncak shoots in and bounces Ziyad off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuncak trying to move into half guard but instead Ziyad has managed to sweep!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ziyad with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Ziyad decides to stand up.
Ziyad staying out of range there.
Ziyad tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tuncak defends well and Ziyad ends up having to push Tuncak into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tuncak scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ziyad fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tariq Ziyad.
I think Ziyad has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tariq Ziyad!