PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abu Dubai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dubai comes into the arena with Samurai blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Dubai
vs
Vera

175 cm
27
165 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
163 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]
•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Abu Dubai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brandon Vera!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dubai wants to clinch but Vera slips to the side
and Vera connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vera is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dubai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dubai connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vera misses with a takedown attempt
and Dubai counters with a body kick that stops Vera in his tracks momentarily.
Abu Dubai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Vera.

Dubai lands a left and a right that send Vera crashing to the mat, dazed. Dubai thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Vera is rocked!

It looks like Brandon Vera has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dubai connects with an inside leg kick.
Vera is still on wobbly legs! Can Dubai finish him?
Abu Dubai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vera looks gassed!
Dubai darts in trying to clinch

and Vera counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Vera seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dubai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Dubai pushes Vera off and scrambles back to his feet.
Dubai misses with the body kick

and Vera counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vera.
Dubai keeping full guard, as Vera tries to pass.
Dubai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dubai is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Vera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vera has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dubai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Vera's guard.
Dubai trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vera has a closed guard, preventing Dubai from standing up.

Vera working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dubai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dubai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dubai wants to get up but he can't break Vera's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Dubai controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Dubai decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dubai closes the distance looking to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubai darts in trying to clinch

and Vera counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vera is looking to work some ground and pound but Dubai has wrist control.

Dubai wriggles free and stands up.
Some wild striking there from Vera.
Vera throws a body punch but Dubai moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dubai scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dubai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Vera paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dubai wants to clinch up but Vera keeps it at a distance.
Dubai throws a leg kick which misses Vera's front leg but catches the back leg as Vera tries to avoid it.
Dubai throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Vera avoids the body shot from Dubai.
Dubai lands a nice leg kick that just misses Vera's sensitive parts.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dubai tries to clinch

and Vera counters with a single leg into guard. Dubai didn't expect that.
Dubai wants to sweep here but Vera controlling him for the moment.
Dubai wants to stand but Vera is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abu Dubai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brandon Vera's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dubai.
Dubai looks to clinch

and Vera counters with a shoot takedown. Dubai fights it but they end up in guard.
Vera landing with the ground and pound.
Dubai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vera is one step ahead there.
Vera won't allow Dubai to get back to his feet.
Vera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dubai controlling the position.
Dubai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vera tries to free his leg and advance position but Dubai is retaining full guard.

Vera drops back looking for a leg! Dubai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dubai manages to kick Vera off! Vera jumps back into Dubai's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dubai wants to sweep but no luck.
Vera forces his way into half guard.
Dubai trying to control here.

Vera is looking for a kimura but Dubai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vera to get the leverage.

Vera seems to be working for a kimura but Dubai defends the submission attempt.
Dubai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dubai wants to improve his position but Vera is controlling well.
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.
Dubai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vera's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dubai keeps control of the position as Vera tries to break free.
Dubai has good solid back control here.
Dubai softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Dubai doesn't have the hooks in and Vera manages to turn into his guard.
Vera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dubai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vera passes Dubai's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Dubai wants to control but Vera is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Dubai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vera's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vera's back!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dubai tightening his grip on Vera, looking for the choke.
Vera manages to reverse the position and now he's in Dubai's guard. Nice work there by Vera.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera cracks Dubai with a solid left hand.
Brandon Vera has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Vera is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dubai is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Dubai is trying to control the action in half guard but Vera is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Vera looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dubai seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Dubai performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four 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.
Dubai is looking to stall here but Vera recovers full guard.

Vera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dubai is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Dubai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dubai tries to stand but Vera is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Abu Dubai wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Vera tries to keep at a distance but Dubai has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brandon Vera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Brandon Vera's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vera moves out of range as Dubai throws a body kick.
Vera fails with a takedown attempt.
Dubai moves in looking to clinch but Vera pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dubai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vera's head backwards.
Dubai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vera swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dubai walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera avoids the body shot from Dubai.
Dubai lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Horrible takedown by Vera or perhaps it was just good defense by Dubai which made him look bad.
Dubai is looking to clinch but Vera is avoiding it.
Vera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dubai can pounce on him.
Abu Dubai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dubai throws the kick towards the body but Vera avoids it.
Dubai thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vera if he has to take too many more of those.
Vera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dubai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Vera's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera moves out of range of the leg kick from Dubai.
Dubai tries to clinch there but Vera circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Dubai as Vera shoots in.
Abu Dubai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Vera.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Vera crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Dubai - the referee stops the clock and Vera gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Dubai. Vera manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dubai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dubai wants to clinch but Vera slips to the side

so Vera counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vera accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dubai wants to sweep but no luck.
Dubai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dubai holds on and takes a little breather.
Dubai looking to control.
Dubai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dubai wants to stand but Vera is controlling the position.
Vera scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vera lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Dubai throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Vera's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Vera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dubai wants to stand and escape but Vera is having none of it.

Vera is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Vera is in close to Dubai's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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.
Vera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Vera drops back looking for a leg! Dubai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dubai manages to kick Vera off! Vera jumps back into Dubai's guard.
Vera throws a big right hand that misses.
Vera prevents Dubai from getting back to his feet.
Dubai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vera is looking to work some ground and pound but Dubai has wrist control.
Vera is looking to work some ground and pound but Dubai has wrist control.
Dubai keeping full guard, as Vera tries to pass.
Dubai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abu Dubai clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Brandon Vera's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dubai jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dubai lands a nice hook to Vera's body. Vera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vera stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dubai.
Vera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dubai. Dubai obviously looking to wear him down.
Dubai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dubai tries to clinch but Vera is having none of it.
Dubai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dubai connects with a leg kick. Vera looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vera is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dubai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dubai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vera backs up against the ropes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dubai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dubai works over Vera's head and body with a nice combination.
Dubai lets loose with a powerful body kick. Vera will feel that in the morning.
Dubai connects with a solid leg kick.
Dubai throws a head kick but Vera moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Vera 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dubai cracks the inside of Vera's front leg.
Dubai connects with an inside leg kick.
Dubai tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Vera manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vera fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That kick from Dubai tenderised Vera's leg. Vera is trying to keep his angry face on.
A solid body kick from Dubai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubai tries to clinch but Vera moves out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Dubai. Vera shrugs it off though.
Dubai throws a sloppy head kick and Vera moves out of range easily.
Abu Dubai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dubai lands a nice looking body shot.
Dubai is looking to clinch.
Dubai tries to clinch up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dubai.
Dubai scores with a sloppy right hand. Vera should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dubai looks to clinch

and Vera decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dubai's guard.
Dubai wants to sweep but no luck.
Vera throwing strikes but missing.
Vera with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vera throwing strikes from guard but Dubai blocks nicely.
Dubai looking for a sweep. Not yet Dubai, not yet.
Dubai has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Dubai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dubai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abu Dubai had his way with Brandon Vera in that round.
The cut man is working on Brandon Vera's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Dubai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dubai doesn't manage to clinch there - Vera circles away.
Dubai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dubai tries to clinch up

and Vera counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Dubai manages to get to full guard.
Vera postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera postures up in Dubai's guard and throws a big left but Dubai blocks it.
Vera throwing strikes but missing.
Dubai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dubai looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Dubai wants to sweep but no luck.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Vera's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dubai has momentary wrist control but Vera slips an elbow through the middle.
Vera loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vera preventing the sweep.
Vera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brandon Vera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dubai is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vera, into his guard.
Vera keeping full guard, as Dubai tries to pass.
Dubai stands and throws Vera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Vera manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dubai's best efforts.

Dubai is working for a submission of some sort.
Dubai prevents Vera from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubai keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Dubai is working for a kimura but Vera is defending it quite comfortably.
Vera wants to improve his position but Dubai is controlling well.
Dubai tries to stand and escape but Vera actually recovers to full guard.

Dubai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dubai won't allow Vera to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dubai with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dubai trying to control but Vera is working from the bottom.
Vera being controlled here, momentarily.
Vera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dubai sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Abu Dubai.
Vera closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dubai circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Vera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dubai 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 48:47
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abu Dubai!
Abu Dubai retains his lightweight title!