PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Mezhidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and bilawar idrees (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Mezhidov
vs
idrees

200 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

184 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ramazan Mezhidov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, bilawar idrees!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mezhidov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with idrees but idrees pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mezhidov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around idrees's waist but idrees gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mezhidov off to one side.
Mezhidov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramazan Mezhidov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
idrees displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mezhidov.

idrees decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

idrees is working for a kimura but Mezhidov is defending it quite comfortably.
Mezhidov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
idrees wants to take a breather but Mezhidov is having none of it.
Mezhidov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. idrees is working away from the top position though.
idrees is trying to control. Mezhidov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mezhidov trying to control but idrees postures up.
Well, if idrees is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mezhidov with a poor takedown

and idrees counters with a takedown into side control.
idrees in side control, just content to control the action for now.

idrees is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mezhidov has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Mezhidov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mezhidov tries to bench press idrees off him but idrees keeps the position.

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.
Mezhidov regains half guard there - taking advantage of idrees's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
idrees moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Mezhidov.
Mezhidov is trying to get back to his feet.
idrees in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bilawar idrees dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

idrees darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

idrees is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
idrees is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mezhidov is trying to maintain the position but idrees is very close to passing his half guard.

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.
idrees prevents Mezhidov from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mezhidov is looking to control idrees's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mezhidov avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mezhidov tries to clinch but idrees moves away

and idrees counters with a nice double leg into guard.
idrees content to stall in guard here.
Mezhidov trying to keep a closed guard but idrees is proving a slippery customer.
idrees slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mezhidov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but idrees has passed into side control.
Mezhidov is trying to control idrees's posture but idrees avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bilawar idrees showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mezhidov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Mezhidov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! idrees is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! idrees has escaped and now he's on top!
idrees is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
idrees wants to control from the top but Mezhidov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
idrees looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Mezhidov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
idrees trying to control the position from guard on top but Mezhidov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mezhidov looking to control but idrees passes into half guard.
Mezhidov is trying to get back to full guard.
Mezhidov is staying active underneath idrees, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mezhidov wants to sweep but idrees has passed to side control!
Mezhidov holding on.
idrees working away.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mezhidov is trying to get back to half guard.

idrees goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mezhidov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in idrees's guard! Nice work there by Mezhidov!
idrees keeping moving, preventing Mezhidov from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ramazan Mezhidov.
Well idrees 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bilawar idrees!