PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Khalidov (ranked 25342 p4p, 5874 weight class) and Howie Travis (ranked 531 p4p, 523 weight class). 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.

Khalidov
vs
Travis

174 cm
18
277
0 - 6 - 0

190 cm
18
280
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mamed Khalidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Howie Travis!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Travis misses with a low kick as Khalidov jumps back.

Travis gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Khalidov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Travis wants to sweep here but Khalidov controlling him for the moment.

Travis looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Khalidov passes into half guard.

Travis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Travis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Khalidov trying to control from half guard but Travis is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Travis can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Travis tries to roll over but Khalidov keeps him under control.
Khalidov lands with a punch from half guard.

Travis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Travis wants to get back to full guard.
Travis has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Khalidov is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Travis is trying to get back to full guard.
Travis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khalidov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Travis throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Travis actively working from the bottom here.
Khalidov really is a fat lump.
Travis is looking for a sweep. Khalidov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Khalidov is thwarting Travis's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Travis gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Khalidov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Travis is looking to stand back up but Khalidov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Travis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Travis looking for submissions off his back.
Travis wants to improve his position but Khalidov is controlling well.
Travis is still trying to improve position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Khalidov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Travis keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Travis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khalidov pulls his head out easily.

Travis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Travis is staying active underneath Khalidov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've been informed that Travis has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Travis looking for submissions off his back.
Travis tries to kick Khalidov off but Khalidov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Travis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khalidov pulls his head out easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Khalidov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Travis shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Khalidov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Travis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Travis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Travis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Khalidov, who protects the arm well.

Travis thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Travis goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Khalidov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Travis but great work by Khalidov.
Travis tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Khalidov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Khalidov tries to control but Travis wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Travis has given up his back here.
Travis trying to control the hands but Khalidov breaks the grip.
Khalidov controlling well, preventing Travis from escaping the position.
Khalidov doesn't have the hooks in and Travis manages to turn into his guard.
Khalidov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Travis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Khalidov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Khalidov wants to get back to his feet but Travis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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

Travis has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Khalidov 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 Travis.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Travis sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Travis is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Khalidov pulls his head out easily.

Travis looking for submissions off his back.
Khalidov is keen to just control but Travis is a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Travis manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Travis is looking to stand up but Khalidov isn't so interested in that idea.

Travis working for a triangle but Khalidov defends it easily.

Khalidov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Travis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Khalidov has managed to get both his arms back between Travis's legs - danger averted.
Khalidov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Travis's guard.
Travis looking for a sweep. Not yet Travis, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Travis has his foot on Khalidov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Khalidov works his way back into a safe position though.
Travis striking off his back but it's not causing Khalidov any problems.

Travis looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Travis is looking for a triangle but Khalidov pushes his legs off easily.

Travis is looking for a triangle but Khalidov pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Travis has his foot on Khalidov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Khalidov works his way back into a safe position though.
Travis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Howie Travis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Travis uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Khalidov has time to react.

Travis feints and as Khalidov raises his hands in defense, Travis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Khalidov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Travis is one step ahead there.
Travis wants to pass the guard but Khalidov is keeping the position.
Travis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Khalidov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Travis is one step ahead there.

Travis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Travis passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Travis is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Khalidov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Travis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Khalidov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Travis is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Khalidov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Travis.

Travis is looking for a kimura here.

Khalidov is defending against the submission attempts here by Travis.
Mamed Khalidov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
Travis trying to mount his opponent but Khalidov defends it.

Travis is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Khalidov has managed to free his arm - good work.

Travis wants to work for an arm triangle but Khalidov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Travis looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Travis is trying to control the action in half guard but Khalidov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khalidov is defending against the submission attempts here by Travis.

Travis seems to be working for a kimura but Khalidov defends the submission attempt.

Travis is trying to work for a kimura but Khalidov is defending well.

Travis is looking for a kimura but Khalidov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Travis to get the leverage.
Travis not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Travis seems to be looking for submissions.
Travis landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four 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.

Travis seems to be working for a kimura but Khalidov defends the submission attempt.
Travis looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Khalidov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Travis seems to be looking for submissions.

Travis is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Khalidov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Travis.
Howie Travis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Travis perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Travis is looking for a kimura but Khalidov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Travis to get the leverage.
Mamed Khalidov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Travis seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Howie Travis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Travis has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight for Howie Travis!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Howie Travis!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Howie Travis!

Howie Travis wins by unanimous decision!
A less than humble Howie Travis misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.