PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ghazala Hussein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Zarubaylo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hussein comes into the arena with -[ Enae Volare Mezzo ]- blaring out of the sound system. Zarubaylo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Fame - Remember My Name. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hussein
vs
Zarubaylo

179 cm
25
159 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

177 cm
23
165 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conviction

Australian Xtreme - Elite Supplements
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ghazala Hussein!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Zarubaylo!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hussein checks the leg kick.
Ghazala Hussein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hussein avoids a kick to the body.
Hussein thows a body shot but no joy.
Zarubaylo tries to land a front kick but Hussein steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zarubaylo looks for the body kick but Hussein saw that one coming.
Zarubaylo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hussein fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hussein checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zarubaylo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zarubaylo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zarubaylo moves away.
A big right from Hussein misses.
Zarubaylo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zarubaylo misses with a head kick.
Hussein looks to land a right hand but Zarubaylo moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarubaylo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hussein.
Zarubaylo slips a straight right by Hussein.
A big left from Hussein misses.
Hussein throws a jab but it's blocked by Zarubaylo.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarubaylo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Hussein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hussein jabs at Zarubaylo's body.
Zarubaylo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hussein throws out a loose jab but Zarubaylo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zarubaylo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hussein.
Hussein misses with a looping left.
Hussein thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circling - Hussein throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zarubaylo wants to slow Hussein down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Zarubaylo darts in and clinches Hussein up against the cage.
Hussein lands a body shot.
Knees to the body from Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hussein avoids it.
Hussein avoiding damage as Zarubaylo throws knees to the body.
Zarubaylo misses with an elbow strike.
Zarubaylo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hussein blocks it with crossed arms.
Zarubaylo landing knees to the head.
Zarubaylo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hussein blocks it with crossed arms.
Zarubaylo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hussein takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hussein is breathing heavily.
Zarubaylo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hussein.
Zarubaylo throws an elbow that misses.
Zarubaylo misses with an elbow strike.
The referee calls for Hussein to work.
Zarubaylo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hussein avoids it.
Zarubaylo tries a knee to the head but Hussein blocks it.
Hussein blocks the elbow strike.
Zarubaylo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Hussein jumps guard and drags Zarubaylo to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zarubaylo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hussein looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hussein looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hussein!
Hussein creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zarubaylo sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Zarubaylo is not content to let Hussein control the position.
Zarubaylo parries the strikes from Hussein easily there. Hussein is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zarubaylo to escape.
Sloppy strikes there by Hussein.
An elbow from Hussein crashes against the mat.
Zarubaylo tries to bench press Hussein off him but Hussein keeps 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.
Zarubaylo parries the strikes from Hussein easily there. Hussein is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zarubaylo to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hussein scores with a couple of short elbows.
Hussein working the ground and pound.
Zarubaylo is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Zarubaylo is looking to regain half guard here but Hussein keeps moving and retains side control.
Hussein misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hussein trying to control the action but Zarubaylo is working from the bottom.
Hussein landing strikes.
Zarubaylo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Zarubaylo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zarubaylo ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Hussein fails to land with a series of punches.
Zarubaylo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Zarubaylo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hussein paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zarubaylo ducks right into an uppercut from Hussein.
Zarubaylo avoids the body shot from Hussein.
Hussein throws a shot to the body.
Hussein misses with a looping left.
Hussein chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zarubaylo can pounce on him.
Hussein misses with a body shot.
Hussein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice cross by Hussein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Hussein.
Zarubaylo feints and then cracks Hussein's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hussein down.
Hussein looks to score with a jab to the body but Zarubaylo is just out of range.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Zarubaylo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zarubaylo throws a body kick that misses.
Hussein throws a jab when Zarubaylo was well out of range.
Zarubaylo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hussein.
Zarubaylo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hussein throws a body punch but Zarubaylo moves out of range.
Zarubaylo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hussein scores with a body shot.
A shot to de liver by Hussein. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein misses with a wild combination.
Zarubaylo moves out of range of the strikes.
Zarubaylo moves away from the strike by Hussein.
Zarubaylo moves away from the strike by Hussein.
Hussein looks to land a combination but Zarubaylo avoids it well.
Zarubaylo throws a low kick, looking for Hussein's leg but Hussein calmly moves out of range.
Nikolay Zarubaylo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hussein fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zarubaylo slaps away a takedown attempt from Hussein, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hussein scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hussein throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zarubaylo misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussein looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hussein sizes up Zarubaylo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Zarubaylo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hussein to score with a decent uppercut.
Zarubaylo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hussein.
Zarubaylo moves out of range of the strikes.
Hussein connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zarubaylo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hussein.
Zarubaylo throws a leg kick but Hussein moved away.
Decent striking displayed by Hussein there.
A jab from Hussein misses.
Hussein throws a series of punches but Zarubaylo avoids them all with ease.
Zarubaylo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zarubaylo doesn't manage to clinch there - Hussein circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarubaylo ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Zarubaylo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hussein.
Hussein misses with a straight left.
Donk. Hussein catches Zarubaylo right on the button with a cross.
Hussein takes a swing at Zarubaylo's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Hussein misses.
Hussein lands an overhand right.
A clash of legs there as Hussein blocks the low kick.
Zarubaylo throws a head kick that Hussein semi-blocks.
Zarubaylo looks for the body kick but Hussein saw that one coming.
Zarubaylo moves out of range of the strikes.
Zarubaylo defending well as Hussein loads up on a big left hand.
Zarubaylo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hussein swings for the body but Zarubaylo moves out of range.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zarubaylo moves away.
A swing and a miss from Hussein.
Hussein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarubaylo manages to avoid it.
Hussein scores with a shot to the body.
Hussein lands with an uppercut that bounces Zarubaylo off the cage and back into rage.
Zarubaylo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zarubaylo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zarubaylo blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Hussein.
Hussein connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zarubaylo. Zarubaylo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hussein misses with a looping left.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarubaylo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Hussein checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein throws a lazy right hand but Zarubaylo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hussein looks to land a combination but Zarubaylo avoids it well.
Zarubaylo moves out of range of the strikes.
Hussein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hussein works Zarubaylo's body with a nice hook.
Nice shot by Hussein.

Zarubaylo closes the distance and clinches.
Hussein scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hussein avoiding damage as Zarubaylo throws knees to the body.
Hussein lands a shoulder strike.
Hussein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hussein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zarubaylo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hussein blocks it with crossed arms.
Zarubaylo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hussein avoids it.
Hussein managing to block the knees to the body from Zarubaylo.
Hussein tries to break the clinch but Zarubaylo is controlling the position.
Hussein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two 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.
Hussein pushes Zarubaylo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hussein lands a good knee to the midsection. Zarubaylo won't want to take too many of those.
Hussein avoiding damage as Zarubaylo throws knees to the body.
Zarubaylo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hussein is defending well for now.
Zarubaylo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hussein managing to block the knees to the body from Zarubaylo.
Good body shot from Hussein.
Zarubaylo keeps control of Hussein as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zarubaylo stops a takedown attempt from Hussein.
Zarubaylo trying to land knees to the body.
Zarubaylo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hussein's efforts to push away.
Zarubaylo looking to throw knees to the head but Hussein is blocking nicely.
Zarubaylo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zarubaylo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Hussein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Zarubaylo clinches up against the cage.
Hussein takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zarubaylo.
Hussein lands a nice shot to the body.
Hussein blocks an elbow strike from Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zarubaylo tries a knee to the head but Hussein blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Hussein.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo missing with knees to the body.
Hussein working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zarubaylo being controlled against the cage.
Zarubaylo tries to land a knee to the head but Hussein blocks with his arms.
Hussein pushes Zarubaylo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zarubaylo gets underhooks to prevent Hussein's takedown attempt.

Hussein's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hussein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarubaylo manages to avoid it.
Zarubaylo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zarubaylo looks to throw the jab but Hussein is out of range.
Zarubaylo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zarubaylo - that will leave a mark!
Zarubaylo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein throws a lazy right hand but Zarubaylo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hussein scores with a hook to the body. Zarubaylo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hussein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarubaylo manages to avoid it.
Zarubaylo moves away from the strike by Hussein.
Hussein lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zarubaylo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hussein paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zarubaylo slips a straight right by Hussein.
Hussein rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zarubaylo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hussein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zarubaylo.
Hussein lands a nice hook to Zarubaylo's body. Zarubaylo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hussein tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hussein loads up on a big right hand but Zarubaylo slips the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazala Hussein clearly takes that 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.

Hussein throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zarubaylo throws a front kick that sends Hussein stumbling back into the cage.
Hussein circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zarubaylo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hussein dives in and grabs Zarubaylo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zarubaylo pushes down on Hussein's head and hops out.
Hussein scores with a shot to the body.
Zarubaylo slips under a jab.
Hussein scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hussein circles away from the clinch attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Hussein blocks the leg kick.
Hussein throws a nice looking combination but Zarubaylo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hussein blocks the body kick.
Zarubaylo on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Hussein.
Zarubaylo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hussein misses the shot to the body.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarubaylo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Nice shot lands for Hussein.
Zarubaylo throws out a leg kick but Hussein moves out of range and Zarubaylo only half commits.
Zarubaylo looks to land a body kick but Hussein moved away.
Zarubaylo misses with a leg kick.
Zarubaylo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hussein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zarubaylo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hussein looks to land a left hand but Zarubaylo moved out of range nicely.

That's two 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.
Zarubaylo ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarubaylo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
Zarubaylo scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zarubaylo dodges the punch combination from Hussein.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hussein.
Zarubaylo misses with a low kick.
Zarubaylo ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Hussein cracks Zarubaylo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ghazala Hussein is winning the standup battle so far.
Hussein fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zarubaylo throws a solid leg kick but Hussein takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zarubaylo.
Hussein scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarubaylo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hussein paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hussein misses the jab.
Zarubaylo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zarubaylo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hussein moves out of range of the body kick from Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo throws a front kick aimed at Hussein's knee but Hussein avoids it well.
Zarubaylo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hussein paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hussein moves out of range of the body kick.
Hussein checks a low kick from Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo pushes Hussein away with a front kick.
Hussein lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zarubaylo circles away quickly and effectively.
Hussein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussein moves out of range of the leg kick from Zarubaylo.
Hussein will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Zarubaylo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zarubaylo tries to land knees in the clinch but Hussein avoids the damage to the body.

Hussein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zarubaylo tries a low kick but Hussein avoids it.
Hussein misses with a looping left.
Hussein with a hook.
Zarubaylo tries to close the distance and clinch but Hussein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zarubaylo slips a jab from Hussein.
Hussein lunges at Zarubaylo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zarubaylo's hand.
Hussein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghazala Hussein had his way with Nikolay Zarubaylo in that round.
That's time! Hussein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zarubaylo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hussein checks a leg kick.
Hussein misses with a hook. Zarubaylo ducked under it nicely.
A combination from Hussein does no damage.
Zarubaylo moves out of range as Hussein strikes.
Zarubaylo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hussein throws out a loose jab but Zarubaylo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hussein misses with the combination.
A big left from Hussein misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussein rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zarubaylo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hussein takes a swing at Zarubaylo's ribcage but misses.
Hussein blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussein lands a jab to the nose.
Zarubaylo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zarubaylo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hussein checks it well.
Zarubaylo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Hussein throws out a powerful jab.
Hussein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarubaylo was well out of range. Poor timing from Hussein.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hussein. Zarubaylo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zarubaylo staying out of range there.
Hussein swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hussein circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hussein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hussein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zarubaylo sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussein chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zarubaylo can pounce on him.
Hussein works the jab nicely.
Zarubaylo misses with a low kick.
Hussein cracks a nice hook into Zarubaylo's ribs.
Hussein scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zarubaylo ducks under a wild hook from Hussein.
Hussein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarubaylo manages to avoid it.
Zarubaylo defending well as Hussein loads up on a big left hand.
Zarubaylo wants to land a leg kick but Hussein is out of range.
A big left from Hussein misses.
Hussein ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zarubaylo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hussein.
Hussein throws a series of punches but Zarubaylo avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zarubaylo.
Zarubaylo avoids the body shot from Hussein.
Hussein misses with a straight left.
Zarubaylo throws a leg kick but Hussein sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hussein just misses with a punch to the body.
Hussein swings for the body but Zarubaylo moves out of range.
Hussein thows a body shot but no joy.
Hussein displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hussein blocks the body kick.
Hussein misses with a hook. Zarubaylo ducked under it nicely.
Zarubaylo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hussein moves out of range of the body kick from Zarubaylo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarubaylo misses with a low kick.
Hussein misses with a looping right.
Hussein digs a good body shot into Zarubaylo's ribs.
Hussein loads up on a big right hand but Zarubaylo slips the punch.
Hussein takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zarubaylo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hussein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ghazala Hussein is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hussein swats away the attempt to clinch by Zarubaylo.
Hussein thows a body shot but no joy.
Hussein looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nikolay Zarubaylo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hussein lands with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ghazala Hussein showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hussein 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 49:46
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 49:46
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghazala Hussein!
Ghazala Hussein retains his lightweight title!