PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tariq Ziyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Harrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harrison has chosen God's Gonna Cut You Down as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ziyad
vs
Harrison

188 cm
24
191 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

185 cm
27
195 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tariq Ziyad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, William Harrison!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Harrison is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ziyad's half guard.

Harrison wants to work for an arm triangle but Ziyad is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Harrison is working for a kimura but Ziyad is defending it quite comfortably.

Ziyad is defending against the submission attempts here by Harrison.
Ziyad is looking for a sweep. Harrison is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Harrison passes to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harrison with the ground and pound but Ziyad regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ziyad is trying to keep Harrison in close.
Ziyad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Ziyad lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Harrison is trying to reverse the position but instead Ziyad has taken his back - oops!
Ziyad just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Ziyad controlling well, preventing Harrison from escaping the position.
Harrison trying to control the position but Ziyad manages to sink in the hooks.

Ziyad has got his arm under Harrison's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Harrison has spun round into Ziyad's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Harrison controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison postures up.
Harrison advances position into side control!
Ziyad is trying to get back to half guard.
Ziyad is not content to let Harrison control the position.
Ziyad manages to work his way to half guard, despite Harrison's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harrison is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ziyad sees it coming and defends easily.
Ziyad works his way to full guard. Good work.
Harrison looking to pass the guard.
Harrison preventing the sweep.
Ziyad keeping full guard, as Harrison tries to pass.
Harrison looking to sit in guard and control but Ziyad gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ziyad looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Harrison has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ziyad has passed into side control.

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.

Ziyad tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ziyad has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ziyad wants to control but Harrison is keeping him busy.
Ziyad lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Harrison down.
Ziyad is looking to take a break and control but Harrison is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Harrison is looking for a sweep.

Ziyad is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Harrison knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ziyad shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Harrison shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ziyad sprawls well. Ziyad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harrison gets slowly back to his feet.
Harrison tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ziyad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziyad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Harrison.
Harrison ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ziyad moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison blocks a leg kick.
Ziyad is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ziyad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good work by Harrison as he checks the leg kick.

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

Harrison is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ziyad is aware though and is defending well.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Harrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad stays in close to Harrison's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad landing with the ground and pound.

Harrison escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ziyad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ziyad stopping the sweep attempt from Harrison.
Ziyad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Harrison is looking for a triangle but Ziyad pushes his legs off easily.

Harrison looking for subs off his back but Ziyad has passed one foot through into half guard.
Harrison is breathing heavily.
Well, if Ziyad 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Harrison is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Harrison is staying active underneath Ziyad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Harrison wants to get back to full guard.
Ziyad is looking to take a break and control but Harrison is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ziyad is stalling here. Harrison is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Ziyad seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Harrison has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Harrison working away.
Harrison wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ziyad keeps working.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Harrison has his takedown stuffed
and Ziyad makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Harrison really felt that one!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrison takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Ziyad tries for a takedown but Harrison sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ziyad connects with a solid leg kick.
Ziyad throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ziyad throws a head kick but Harrison moves out of range.

Harrison gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ziyad to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ziyad throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Harrison has his takedown stuffed

and Ziyad counters with a single leg into guard. Harrison didn't expect that.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Harrison keeps moving.
Ziyad with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ziyad is looking to work some ground and pound but Harrison has wrist control.
Harrison is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Harrison can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ziyad controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad wants to pass the guard but Harrison is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Harrison is on top in guard.

Ziyad looking for a guillotine here but Harrison defends easily.
Harrison controls from within his opponent's guard.
Harrison trying to control the position from guard on top but Ziyad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Harrison postures up in Ziyad's guard and throws a big left but Ziyad blocks it.
Tariq Ziyad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harrison wants to control from the top but Ziyad keeps moving.
Ziyad looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harrison is one step ahead there.
Harrison trying to control the position from guard on top but Ziyad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad is controlling Harrison's posture.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harrison throws the left hand but Ziyad avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ziyad.
Harrison shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ziyad counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ziyad.
Ziyad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harrison swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Harrison wants to sweep here but Ziyad controlling him for the moment.
Ziyad passes Harrison's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Harrison trying to control from the bottom.
Ziyad is keen to just control but Harrison is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrison wants to sweep but Ziyad has passed to side control!

Ziyad is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Harrison has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Harrison can't do much from the bottom here.
Harrison is looking for a sweep.
Ziyad lands some shots froms side control.
Harrison is looking for a sweep.
Harrison struggling a bit here.

Ziyad is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Harrison is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ziyad gets caught flat footed, as Harrison shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Harrison trying to control the position from guard on top but Ziyad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harrison stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ziyad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ziyad can't keep his opponent in guard - Harrison advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Harrison is looking for a kimura here.
Harrison is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Harrison is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad tries to roll over but Harrison keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Harrison looks to land a right hand but Ziyad moved out of range.

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.

Ziyad bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Harrison is looking to reverse the position.
Ziyad trying to control the action but Harrison is working from the bottom.
Harrison is looking to regain half guard here but Ziyad keeps moving and retains side control.
Harrison wants to control but Ziyad postures up.
Harrison is trying to improve his position.

Ziyad working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harrison keeps working.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ziyad tries to close the distance and clinch up but Harrison swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Harrison tries for a takedown but Ziyad circles away easily

and Ziyad counters with a shoot takedown. Harrison fights it but they end up in guard.
Ziyad looking to sit in guard and control but Harrison gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ziyad keeping moving, preventing Harrison from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harrison drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ziyad dives on top into guard.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Harrison keeps moving.
Ziyad is in close to Harrison's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Harrison escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ziyad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ziyad landing with the ground and pound.
Harrison striking off his back but it's not causing Ziyad any problems.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad had his way with William Harrison in 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Harrison chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ziyad can pounce on him.
Ziyad thuds his shin into the meat of Harrison's side.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Harrison but Harrison pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tariq Ziyad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harrison shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ziyad counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Harrison with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ziyad counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ziyad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harrison.
Harrison is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Harrison avoids a kick to the body.
Harrison shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ziyad counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tariq Ziyad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Harrison.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison looking to control but Ziyad passes into half guard.
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. Ziyad connects with a nice short shot to Harrison's temple.

Ziyad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ziyad slips a nice elbow through Harrison's hands, connecting with Harrison's forehead.
Harrison is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Harrison looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ziyad prevents Harrison from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison wants to control but Ziyad is keeping busy.
Harrison is not content to let Ziyad control the position.

Ziyad seems to be looking for submissions.

Ziyad is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Harrison doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ziyad.
Harrison trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Harrison with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ziyad counters with a leg kick.
Ziyad tries for a takedown but Harrison circles away easily

and Harrison counters with a single leg into guard. Ziyad didn't expect that.
William Harrison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harrison trying to control but Ziyad is working from the bottom.

Ziyad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Harrison gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Harrison pushing down on Ziyad's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Harrison controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harrison is trying for a kimura here. Ziyad looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Harrison wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). William Harrison!
William Harrison is the new middleweight champion!