PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hakim Zerhouni (ranked 3836 p4p, 3717 weight class) and Jayson Cadorna (ranked 197 p4p, 191 weight class). Zerhouni comes to the cage accompanied by Salah Edin - Tfoe ft. Sefyu. 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.

Zerhouni
vs
Cadorna

170 cm
25
136
2 - 2 - 0

160 cm
23
130
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hakim Zerhouni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jayson Cadorna!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Cadorna. No joy for Zerhouni on that attempt.
We've been told by Zerhouni's head coaches at Chuckles Strenght and Conditioning that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Zerhouni avoids a punch combination nicely.

Zerhouni drives through and clinches with Cadorna against the cage.

Zerhouni manages to break the clinch.
Zerhouni goes for a double leg but Cadorna avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cadorna continues to drive forward.
Cadorna looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cadorna is pressed up against the cage. Zerhouni has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cadorna down to the mat. Cadorna avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakim Zerhouni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cadorna fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zerhouni is looking to counter the offense by Cadorna and move into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zerhouni.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerhouni shoots in looking for a takedown. Cadorna tries to sprawl out of it but Zerhouni keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cadorna manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zerhouni shoots in and drives through. Cadorna sprawls well.
Cadorna lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Cadorna has managed to clinch.
Zerhouni landing knees to the body.

Zerhouni manages to break the clinch.
Cadorna fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zerhouni shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cadorna connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cadorna uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Cadorna gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cadorna letting Zerhouni take a breather here.
Cadorna is trying to break free.

Cadorna escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zerhouni closes the distance and clinches.
Zerhouni is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cadorna gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cadorna is trying to maintain a safe position but Zerhouni gets an underhook and turns Cadorna into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerhouni using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cadorna has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zerhouni landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cadorna wants to take the fight to the mat but Zerhouni manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cadorna displaying some good clinch control by pressing Zerhouni up against the cage.
Cadorna wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cadorna controlling the action here for a moment.

Zerhouni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cadorna tries to clinch
and Zerhouni counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Zerhouni closes the distance and pushes Cadorna back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zerhouni misses with a knee to the head.
Zerhouni is working for takedown but Cadorna is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cadorna is pressed up against the cage. Zerhouni has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cadorna down to the mat. Cadorna avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cadorna shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zerhouni as he avoids it easily.

Zerhouni forces Cadorna back against the cage and clinches.
Zerhouni has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cadorna is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Zerhouni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cadorna displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zerhouni.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hakim Zerhouni will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zerhouni closes the distance and pushes Cadorna back into the cage.
Zerhouni drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cadorna pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cadorna fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cadorna shoots in for a double leg but Zerhouni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cadorna keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cadorna fails with the takedown.
Cadorna shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zerhouni sprawls well. Zerhouni wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cadorna gets slowly back to his feet.
Zerhouni tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cadorna manages to circle out of the way.
Hakim Zerhouni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jayson Cadorna.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerhouni shoots in for a takedown but Cadorna shows good takedown defense.
Cadorna doesn't manage to clinch there - Zerhouni circles away.
Zerhouni looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cadorna is fending him off so far but Zerhouni persists. Nope, Cadorna circles away and we're back to standing.
Cadorna fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zerhouni dodges the punch combination from Cadorna.
Cadorna is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zerhouni throws a counter high kick but Cadorna was just alert enough to avoid it.
Cadorna closes the distance and clinches up with Zerhouni, looking for a takedown. Cadorna pushes Zerhouni against the cage but Zerhouni circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cadorna is breathing heavily.
Cadorna throws a nice looking combination but Zerhouni bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zerhouni wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cadorna swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Zerhouni counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cadorna is not content to let Zerhouni control the position.
Zerhouni uses his free foot to push down on Cadorna's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cadorna.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerhouni trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Zerhouni working for a submission but Cadorna is keeping him at bay.

Zerhouni moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Cadorna has worked his arm free - good work by Cadorna!
Zerhouni takes a little break here. Cadorna wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Zerhouni is looking to take a break and control but Cadorna is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cadorna is trying to get back to his feet.

Zerhouni tries for a kimura but Cadorna is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zerhouni looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hakim Zerhouni dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zerhouni tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cadorna swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cadorna is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Cadorna tries to clinch up but Zerhouni circles away and keeps his distance.
Cadorna bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zerhouni's head.
Zerhouni darts in looking for a takedown but Cadorna gets double underhooks and turns Zerhouni into the cage.
Zerhouni looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zerhouni wants a takedown.
Zerhouni keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cadorna's efforts to push away.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zerhouni.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zerhouni tries to score a body lock takedown but Cadorna shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hakim Zerhouni. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zerhouni holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zerhouni keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cadorna's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zerhouni has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cadorna uses from the top position.

Zerhouni looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zerhouni wants to stand and escape but Cadorna is having none of it.
Cadorna connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cadorna avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zerhouni is trying to control the position but Cadorna postures up.
Cadorna trying to control the position from guard on top but Zerhouni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zerhouni looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zerhouni looking to control.

Zerhouni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cadorna is aware though and is defending well.

Zerhouni throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cadorna lands a jab-cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zerhouni fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cadorna dives in for a single leg takedown but Zerhouni sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Cadorna will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cadorna shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zerhouni but Zerhouni pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zerhouni throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cadorna's waist but Cadorna gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zerhouni off to one side.
Cadorna tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zerhouni was well out of range. Poor timing from Cadorna.
Zerhouni attempts a counter takedown but Cadorna avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zerhouni has closed the distance and engaged Cadorna in a clinch.
Hakim Zerhouni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zerhouni missing with knees to the body.
Zerhouni jumps guard but Cadorna turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jayson Cadorna has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zerhouni prevents a body shot from Cadorna.
Zerhouni blocks an uppercut.
Knees to the body from Zerhouni.
Zerhouni working Cadorna over with knees to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zerhouni tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zerhouni changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cadorna fights it off and pushes away nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jayson Cadorna.
I think Zerhouni has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hakim Zerhouni!
Our winner, Hakim Zerhouni, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.