PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tempe Gorge (ranked 1582 p4p, 1180 weight class) and Zhan Dhelan (ranked 170 p4p, 128 weight class). Gorge comes to the cage accompanied by For Heavy Metal we will die!. 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.

Gorge
vs
Dhelan

170 cm
32
147
10 - 3 - 2

150 cm
34
145
24 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tempe Gorge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zhan Dhelan!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dhelan blocks a jab.
And Dhelan tries to counter it with a takedown but Gorge pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Dhelan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gorge has his hands on Dhelan's head, controlling the position.
Dhelan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gorge keeping full guard, as Dhelan tries to pass.
Dhelan trying to control but Gorge is working from the bottom.
Gorge will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorge wants to stand and escape but Dhelan is having none of it.

Dhelan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gorge is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gorge has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorge throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gorge throwing strikes from guard but Dhelan blocks nicely.

Dhelan looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gorge passes into half guard.
Gorge lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gorge keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Dhelan has hold of Gorge's hands but Gorge slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gorge takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Dhelan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Dhelan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dhelan looking for subs off his back but Gorge has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorge is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dhelan looking for submissions off his back.
Gorge slips a nice elbow through Dhelan's hands, connecting with Dhelan's forehead.
Dhelan manages to get to full guard.

Dhelan has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gorge is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Dhelan.
Dhelan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Dhelan is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dhelan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gorge pulls his head out easily.
Gorge seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dhelan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gorge is nestled in close to Dhelan, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gorge is looking to take a break and control but Dhelan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dhelan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gorge is working away from the top position though.
Dhelan is pressing down on Gorge's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gorge tries to free his leg and advance position but Dhelan is retaining full guard.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Gorge from controlling successfully.

Dhelan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gorge looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dhelan pushes a forearm under Gorge's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Gorge is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Zhan Dhelan!
In his post fight interview, Zhan Dhelan started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.