PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zabit Hussein (ranked 1113 p4p, 815 weight class) and Reijo Halli (ranked 48 p4p, 117 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Halli's choice of entrance music: Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz. 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.

Hussein
vs
Halli

184 cm
31
165
9 - 4 - 0

177 cm
37
165
15 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Fast

Conviction
Brooklyn Apothecary

Â© Trap House
Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zabit Hussein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reijo Halli!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hussein. Halli does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Hussein.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hussein misses with a looping left.
Halli chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hussein can pounce on him.

Hussein has Halli up against the cage in a clinch.

Halli has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hussein uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halli lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hussein is controlling Halli's posture.
Halli looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halli wants to control from the top but Hussein keeps moving.
Hussein seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halli trying to control but Hussein is working from the bottom.
Hussein has control of Halli's left arm, preventing Halli from doing any damage.
Halli is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Halli trying to control the position from guard on top but Hussein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Halli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hussein tests Halli's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Halli shoots in for a takedown but Hussein shows good takedown defense.

Hussein closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Halli has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hussein is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Halli turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hussein isn't going anywhere.
Halli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hussein keeps working.

Halli goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hussein rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Halli's guard! Nice work there by Hussein!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Halli working a defensive guard here.

Halli has his foot on Hussein's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hussein works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Halli tries to get to full guard but Hussein has control of the leg.

Hussein is trying to work for a kimura but Halli is defending well.
Halli has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hussein is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hussein is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Halli actively working from the bottom here.

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.

Hussein is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Halli trying to control here.
Hussein wants to take a breather but Halli is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Halli with the active half guard here but Hussein passes nicely into side control.
What's Halli going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zabit Hussein dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hussein, as that shot connected.
Hussein lands a nice looking body shot.
Hussein misses with a wild body shot.
A left and a right from Hussein both land. Nice combination.
Halli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hussein throws out the jab.
Hussein tried to score with a low kick but Halli checks it.
Hussein tests Halli's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Hussein clinches.
Hussein tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hussein tries to work over Halli's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hussein tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Halli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Halli moves out of range of the body kick.

Halli clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Halli looking for a takedown.

Halli manages to pull guard.

Hussein got a little sloppy there for a moment and Halli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hussein has managed to get both his arms back between Halli's legs - danger averted.
Reijo Halli has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halli wants to hit a sweep here but Hussein passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Halli there!
Halli is working to get back to half guard.
Halli is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Hussein has taken his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halli tries to roll but Hussein sticks to his back.
Hussein is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Halli can do to turn this around?

Hussein has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Halli has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Hussein is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Halli has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Halli tries to escape but he's let his defenses down in doing so and Hussein has slipped in the rear naked choke! Oh, that's tiiiiiiiiight! Halli is tapping! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Zabit Hussein!
Zabit Hussein tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.