PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kollaa River (ranked 38 p4p, 92 weight class) and Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 5 p4p, 13 weight class). River 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.

River
vs
Al Balushi

185 cm
32
158
17 - 6 - 2

180 cm
31
155
13 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Heavy Metal Drugs

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kollaa River!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Ben Hemmingworth and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A little jabbing left from Al Balushi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Al Balushi checks a leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that River has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
River blocks a jab.
It looked like River was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Al Balushi.
River really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
River swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a straight right hand.
Al Balushi has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as River is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Al Balushi throws a head kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Al Balushi blocks the low kick.
Al Balushi tries to counter with a clinch but River shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from River misses.
River scores with a punch to the head.
A low kick lands for Al Balushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.

River drops Al Balushi with a beautiful combination! Al Balushi stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - River is looking for the KO!

Al Balushi is rocked!

It looks like Zaid Al Balushi has been cut.
River tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Balushi is still on wobbly legs! Can River finish him?
A jab from River misses.
Al Balushi seems to have recovered his senses.
River misses with a takedown
and Al Balushi counters with an inside leg kick.
River throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Al Balushi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Balushi lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Al Balushi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Al Balushi slips under a jab.
Al Balushi looks to land a body kick but River moved away.
A head kick misses from River.

Al Balushi moves into the clinch.
Al Balushi lands an uppercut.
Al Balushi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. River is defending well for now.
Al Balushi lands an elbow that stopped River in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Kollaa River has been cut.
River on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a damaging elbow.
Al Balushi lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
River lands a nice uppercut.
River lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Al Balushi tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Al Balushi back against the cage.
Al Balushi blocks an uppercut.

Al Balushi manages to break the clinch.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but River moved away.
River misses with a body shot
and Al Balushi counters with a nice low kick that buckles River's knee momentarily.
River takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but River moved away.
Al Balushi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
It looked like River was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Al Balushi.
River has his takedown stuffed
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Al Balushi's waist but Al Balushi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing River off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kollaa River. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River throws the kick towards the body but Al Balushi avoids it.
Al Balushi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al Balushi throws a chopping leg kick but River manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Al Balushi lands with a nice body punch.
Al Balushi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River.
River throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice uppercut lands for River. That snapped Al Balushi's head back.
River tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Balushi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of River's head.
River throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
River throws a lazy right hand but Al Balushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Balushi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River loads up on a big right hand but Al Balushi slips the punch.
Al Balushi throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
River tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Al Balushi is able to avoid easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Al Balushi.
River is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Al Balushi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of River's head.
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
River tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick.
River looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for River.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al Balushi.
River swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Al Balushi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Balushi throws an off balance right hand
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zaid Al Balushi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River throws a hook to the side of Al Balushi's head but Al Balushi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Al Balushi tries to score with a low kick but River moves his leg out of the way.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Al Balushi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Al Balushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
River ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi avoids a punch combination nicely.
River misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Al Balushi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick.
River on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Balushi. Al Balushi obviously looking to wear him down.
Al Balushi slips a straight right by River.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
River uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Balushi.
River misses with a takedown attempt
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
River avoids the head kick by Al Balushi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zaid Al Balushi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

River moves out of range as Al Balushi throws a body kick.
River defending well as Al Balushi loads up on a big left hand.
River was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Al Balushi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Al Balushi stuns River with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
River scoring well with a low kick there.
River throws the left hand but Al Balushi avoids the punch easily.
Al Balushi tries to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
River looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from River misses.
Al Balushi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Balushi connects with a leg kick.
Al Balushi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from River.
Al Balushi throws an off balance right hand
and River counters with a solid body kick.
Al Balushi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
River throws the left hand but Al Balushi avoids the punch easily.
A good leg kick by River.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Al Balushi does it's job there.
Al Balushi misses with a body shot.
River throwing a counter right hand but Al Balushi manages to avoid it.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Al Balushi lands a nice leg kick that just misses River's sensitive parts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
River shoots and misses
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Balushi thuds his shin into the meat of River's side.
Al Balushi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Al Balushi lets loose with a powerful body kick. River will feel that in the morning.
Al Balushi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Al Balushi cracks River with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
River blocks a jab.
A head kick misses from Al Balushi.
River throws a lazy body kick
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!
River swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Al Balushi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Al Balushi connects with an inside leg kick.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
River backing away here, and Al Balushi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A slapping leg kick lands for Al Balushi.

River shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Al Balushi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Al Balushi pulls River in close to prevent any damage.
Al Balushi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
River looking to sit in guard and control but Al Balushi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Al Balushi got a little sloppy there for a moment and River has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Al Balushi has managed to get both his arms back between River's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

River isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Al Balushi stacks River on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Al Balushi!
River is looking to regain half guard here but Al Balushi keeps moving and retains side control.
River holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
River is looking for a sweep.
Al Balushi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down River's shoulder. That is not cool.
River manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi wants to get back to full guard.
Al Balushi won't allow River to pass to mount.
Al Balushi trying to control but River postures up.
Al Balushi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
River wants to control but Al Balushi is keeping him busy.
Al Balushi blocking the ground and pound attempt from River.
Al Balushi is doing well to control the position and prevent River from advancing to side control.
River trying to mount his opponent but Al Balushi defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River controlling the action here.
River thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
River wants to pass the guard but Al Balushi is defending well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
River thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Al Balushi's head.
River is trying to control the action in half guard but Al Balushi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Al Balushi misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick that is checked

so River counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
River loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
River preventing the sweep.
River trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
River trying to control but Al Balushi is working from the bottom.
River working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
River has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Al Balushi trying to keep a closed guard but River is proving a slippery customer.
River postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kollaa River had his way with Zaid Al Balushi in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A low kick from River is predictable there
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kollaa River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
River fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from River.
Al Balushi unleashes a big counter combination but River bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Al Balushi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi misses with a kick to the body.
Al Balushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Al Balushi throws a wild body kick that River sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi scores with a decent looking hook.
River moves out of range of the leg kick from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi checks a low kick from River.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little jabbing left from Al Balushi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
River thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Al Balushi defends it nicely.
Al Balushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from River.
Al Balushi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
River sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
River motions for Al Balushi to come forward. River throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Al Balushi.
Good leg kick by River.
Al Balushi is looking to clinch.
Al Balushi tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and River counters with a nice uppercut.
River throws the left hand but Al Balushi avoids the punch easily.
Al Balushi throws out a counter right but River avoids it with no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a body kick.
Al Balushi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Al Balushi connects with a leg kick.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zaid Al Balushi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
River takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
River thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Zaid Al Balushi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al Balushi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Al Balushi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 46:49
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
Zaid Al Balushi is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Zaid Al Balushi made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.