PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sou Khatib (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vedad Zilic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vedad Zilic is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Khatib
vs
Zilic

185 cm
22
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
170 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sou Khatib!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vedad Zilic!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khatib fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zilic avoids it really well and circles away.
Khatib misses with a takedown attempt - Zilic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Khatib shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zilic as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sou Khatib. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Zilic stands up.
Khatib misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khatib gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Zilic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zilic.
Khatib has his hands on Zilic's head, controlling the position.
Zilic trying to control the position from guard on top but Khatib is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khatib is trying to keep Zilic in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zilic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zilic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Zilic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zilic wants to pass the guard but Khatib is keeping the position.
Zilic pushes down on Khatib's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Zilic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Khatib sees it coming and defends easily.
Zilic looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khatib trying to control here.

Zilic is working for a submission of some sort.
Zilic is thwarting Khatib's attempts to control the position.

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.
Zilic prevents Khatib from improving his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Khatib regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zilic is fighting to break Khatib's control of his arms but Khatib is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zilic looking to pass the guard.
Khatib seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vedad Zilic dominated that round.
That's time! Khatib's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Khatib throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zilic was covering up waiting for the punch and Khatib finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Zilic working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Khatib has passed into half guard!
Khatib is controlling the pace.
Zilic is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khatib is looking to take a break and control but Zilic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Khatib controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Khatib connects with a nice short shot to Zilic's temple.
Khatib is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Khatib is trying to work for a kimura but Zilic is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khatib wants to control but Zilic is keeping him busy.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Sou Khatib just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Khatib shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Khatib was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Khatib working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zilic's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Zilic is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zilic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zilic is squirming around, avoiding Khatib's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sou Khatib dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Khatib with a lazy takedown attempt

and Zilic counters with a takedown into side control.

Zilic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Khatib knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Khatib sneaks back into half guard.
Khatib trying to control but Zilic postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Khatib actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khatib has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zilic is working away from the top position though.

Zilic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Khatib sees it coming and defends easily.
Khatib is pressing down on Zilic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Zilic drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Khatib dives on top into guard.
Khatib tries to free his leg and advance position but Zilic is retaining full guard.
Vedad Zilic has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Zilic bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Khatib's guard.
Khatib keeping full guard, as Zilic tries to pass.
Khatib is adopting a defensive guard.
Khatib is looking to sweep but instead, Zilic has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khatib actively working from the bottom here.
Khatib won't allow Zilic to pass to mount.
Khatib moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Khatib working a defensive guard but Zilic manages to pass into side control anyway.
Khatib can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Zilic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zilic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Zilic looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Khatib tries to buck Zilic off but Zilic is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vedad Zilic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zilic 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vedad Zilic!