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. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Ziyad
vs
Harrison

188 cm
27
191 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

185 cm
29
195 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Rōnin

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 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tariq Ziyad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, William Harrison!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harrison takes a swing at Ziyad's ribcage but misses.
Harrison takes a swing at Ziyad's ribcage but misses.
Harrison fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ziyad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Harrison swings widly with a right hand
and Ziyad counters with a body kick that stops Harrison in his tracks momentarily.
Ziyad scores with a spinning back kick!
Harrison throws an overhand right that lands on Ziyad's shoulder, as Ziyad tries to avoid the shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ziyad, right into the meat.
Harrison throws out a loose jab but Ziyad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ziyad lands a nice looking kick to the body. Harrison takes a step back to recover.
Ziyad ducks under a wild hook from Harrison.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison missing with a left hand there. Ziyad was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Ziyad changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Harrison looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Harrison is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Harrison is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Ziyad thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Harrison is not content to let Ziyad control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison tries to buck Ziyad off but Ziyad is having none of it.
Harrison defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harrison is looking for a sweep.
Harrison trying to remain calm as Ziyad controls from the top position.
Harrison is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Harrison manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ziyad's best efforts.

Ziyad is working for a submission of some sort.
Harrison has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ziyad is working away from the top position though.

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.
Harrison is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ziyad is staying active.

Harrison is defending against the submission attempts here by Ziyad.
Harrison controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ziyad tries a low kick but Harrison avoids it.
Ziyad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Harrison scores with a sloppy right hand. Ziyad should have avoided that one.
Harrison jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Harrison throws a combination. Ziyad tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harrison tries to bum rush Ziyad with a series of wild strikes but Ziyad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Harrison shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ziyad but Ziyad pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Harrison throws a jab but it's blocked by Ziyad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison scores with a one two! Ziyad had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Harrison ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ziyad moves away.
Ziyad throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Harrison to counter with a crisp jab.
Harrison misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Harrison misses the target.
Ziyad ducks under a wild hook from Harrison.
Harrison throws a poor cross that misses
and Ziyad counters with a low kick, right behind Harrison 's knee.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ziyad, right into the meat.
Ziyad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ziyad fails with the takedown
and Harrison counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison fails with the takedown
and Ziyad counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Harrison is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Harrison throws a hook but Ziyad avoids it easily.
Harrison's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ziyad under the eye.
Ziyad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ziyad wants it to stay on the feet.
Tariq Ziyad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Harrison.
Harrison misses with a body shot
and Ziyad finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ziyad misses with a body kick.

Harrison gets caught napping as Ziyad dives in and scores a takedown. Harrison manages to retain guard.
Ziyad stands and throws Harrison's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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!
Harrison tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Harrison gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Harrison is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ziyad's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ziyad's back!
Harrison wants to control but Ziyad manages to buck him off and is now in Harrison's guard! Nice work there by Ziyad!

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.
Harrison wants to hit a switch here but Ziyad passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Harrison there!
Harrison is looking to get to half guard.
Ziyad landing shots from mount.
Harrison keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Ziyad fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ziyad with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Harrison throws a body punch but Ziyad moves out of range.
Harrison blocks a head kick by Ziyad.
Harrison throws an overhand right that lands on Ziyad's shoulder, as Ziyad tries to avoid the shot.
Harrison waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ziyad.
Harrison swings widly with a right hand
and Ziyad makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Harrison shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Harrison works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ziyad is refusing to be controlled, as Harrison sits in half guard.

Harrison is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ziyad is just riding it out for now. Harrison eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harrison is working for a kimura but Ziyad is defending it quite comfortably.
Ziyad makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ziyad.
Ziyad wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Harrison stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ziyad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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 keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Harrison's head.
Harrison trying to keep a closed guard but Ziyad is proving a slippery customer.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Harrison keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad postures up and lands a big shot to Harrison's brow.
Harrison is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Harrison looking for a guillotine here but Ziyad defends easily.
Harrison bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ziyad's guard.
Ziyad wants to sweep but no luck.

Ziyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Harrison defends well.
Tariq Ziyad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harrison slips nicely into half guard.
Ziyad is in trouble now - Harrison has advanced to mount!
Harrison tries to control but Ziyad wriggling away.

Harrison moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ziyad has worked his arm free - good work by Ziyad!
Harrison wants to control but Ziyad is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tariq Ziyad did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Harrison fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Ziyad.
Harrison fails with the takedown
and Ziyad counters with a slapping leg kick.
Harrison thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Ziyad or perhaps it was just good defense by Harrison which made him look bad.
Harrison throws a body punch but Ziyad moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Harrison misses with an uppercut. Ziyad saw that one coming.
Good exchange - Harrison coming out on top.
Harrison thows a body shot but no joy.
Harrison misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Harrison fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ziyad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Harrison throws out the jab.

Harrison shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Harrison is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ziyad has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ziyad!

Harrison is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Harrison is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison wants to sweep but no luck.
Ziyad throws a big right hand that misses.

Ziyad got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harrison has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ziyad has managed to get both his arms back between Harrison's legs - danger averted.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Harrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Harrison looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ziyad has picked Harrison up and slammed him! Harrison can't keep hold of the triangle and Ziyad manages to pass to side control!
Harrison is looking for a sweep.

Ziyad thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Harrison 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.
Ziyad controlling the position from side mount.
Harrison is trying to get back to half guard.
Ziyad grinds an elbow into Harrison's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ziyad working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Harrison swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harrison throws the left hand but Ziyad avoids the punch easily.
Harrison throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ziyad sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Harrison.
Harrison misses with a takedown attempt
and Ziyad counters with a leg kick.
Ziyad moves out of range as Harrison strikes.
Harrison throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ziyad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziyad throws a head kick that misses.
Ziyad chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Harrison blocks a head kick by Ziyad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad takes one on the button.
Harrison takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ziyad buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Harrison lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ziyad circles away quickly and effectively.
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 doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ziyad counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Tariq Ziyad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Harrison.
Harrison tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ziyad was well out of range. Poor timing from Harrison.
Harrison thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ziyad was well out of range. Poor timing from Harrison.
Harrison fails with the takedown
and Ziyad counters with an inside leg kick.
Harrison is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Harrison throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Harrison just misses with a punch to the body.
Ziyad scores with a nice body kick.
Ziyad throws a head kick but Harrison moves out of range.
Harrison misses with a looping left.

Ziyad scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harrison regains half guard.
Harrison gets full guard.
Ziyad stands and throws Harrison's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Harrison wants to control but Ziyad postures up.
William Harrison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad trying to control the position but Harrison is working away.

Ziyad is trying to get an arm triangle but Harrison is defending well.
Harrison tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ziyad wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tariq Ziyad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ziyad wants to control but Harrison is keeping him busy.
Harrison trying to remain calm as Ziyad controls from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tariq Ziyad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ziyad has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:46
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tariq Ziyad!
Tariq Ziyad retains his middleweight title!