PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tariq Ziyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aldo Raine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raine is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Slaughter - Billy Preston. Aldo Raine will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ziyad
vs
Raine

188 cm
29
191 lbs
19 - 4 - 0

183 cm
27
198 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Rōnin
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 19 - 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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aldo Raine!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziyad throws a head kick but Raine moves out of range.
Raine shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Ziyad looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Raine is trying to control the position but Ziyad postures up.
Raine is pulling down on Ziyad's head. It's preventing any offense from Ziyad, at least for the moment.

Raine had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ziyad defends it easily.
Ziyad won't allow Raine to sweep him here.
Raine keeping moving, preventing Ziyad from controlling successfully.
Raine tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ziyad looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Raine looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raine trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ziyad looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Aldo Raine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raine stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ziyad.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raine. Ziyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ziyad is looking to land body kicks.
Raine avoids the head kick by Ziyad.
Raine throws a jab but it's blocked by Ziyad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raine moves out of range as Ziyad throws a body kick.
Raine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ziyad swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tariq Ziyad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziyad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A jab from Raine finds it's way through Ziyad's defenses.
Ziyad takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raine throws a low kick but Ziyad moves out of range easily.
Ziyad moves out of range of the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ziyad.

Ziyad closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Raine to the mat! Raine manages to get full guard.
Raine 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raine wants to control but Ziyad passes easily into half guard.
Ziyad stops Raine from getting back to his feet.
Ziyad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raine keeps working.
Raine is positioning himself well to prevent Ziyad advancing to mount.
Ziyad scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ziyad prevents Raine from improving his position.
Ziyad missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raine tries to kick Ziyad off but Ziyad keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Raine wants to sweep but Ziyad has passed to side control!
Ziyad trying to control the action but Raine is working from the bottom.

Ziyad is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Raine is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad lands a nice forearm strike.
Ziyad creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Raine sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The ground and pound from Ziyad seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Raine regains half guard.
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!
Ziyad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Raine is looking to escape.
Raine tries to get to full guard but Ziyad has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ziyad working over Raine with some ground and pound. Raine looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ziyad is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Raine has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ziyad is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Raine fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ziyad looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Both fighters circling a little - Ziyad finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Ziyad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Raine keeps moving.
Raine pulls Ziyad in close to his closed guard and prevents Ziyad from doing any damage or advancing position.

Raine is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ziyad is aware though and is defending well.
Ziyad trying to control but Raine is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ziyad throwing strikes from guard but Raine blocks nicely.
Raine wants to stand but Ziyad is controlling the position.
Raine keeping full guard, as Ziyad tries to pass.
Raine controls Ziyad momentarily but Ziyad frees himself.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raine. Ziyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ziyad tries a head kick but it misses.
Ziyad throws a head kick but Raine moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Raine does it's job there.
Raine digs a good body shot into Ziyad's ribs.
Ziyad lands a nice leg kick that just misses Raine's sensitive parts.
Raine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raine connects with a leg kick. Ziyad looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Raine wants to clinch.
Raine checks a low kick from Ziyad.
Raine throws a chopping leg kick but Ziyad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Raine is out of range.
Raine misses with a body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Raine.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raine. Ziyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ziyad throws a nice inside leg kick.
Raine tries to clinch up but Ziyad circles away and keeps his distance.
Raine is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ziyad rather than just go for the knockout.

Raine closes the distance and clinches.
Raine throws a punch but it's blocked by Ziyad.
Raine lands a nice shot to the body.
Ziyad blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ziyad is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Raine is defending well.
Raine doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ziyad wants to take the fight to the mat but Raine manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ziyad tries to score a body lock takedown but Raine shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tariq Ziyad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raine lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Raine.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ziyad wants to take the fight to the mat but Raine manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Raine tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ziyad's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldo Raine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ziyad throws a front kick aimed at Raine's knee but Raine avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Raine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Raine trying to land knees to the body.
Raine tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Raine prevents the takedown attempt.
Raine lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ziyad backwards.
Raine presses Ziyad against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Raine makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine misses with a punch on the inside.
Raine swings wildly with an uppercut but Ziyad uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hook to the body lands for Raine.
Raine slows down the pace here.
Raine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ziyads head.
Raine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Raine obliges.
Raine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ziyad has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Raine avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Raine landing knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Raine.
Raine working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aldo Raine seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Raine working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Raine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ziyad wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tariq Ziyad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raine lands an uppercut.
Raine scores with a shoulder strike.
Ziyad blocking some punches.
Ziyad on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Raine tries a knee to the head but Ziyad blocks it.
Raine misses with a punch to the body.
Raine lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Tariq Ziyad has been cut.
Raine scores a nice knee to the body.
Raine tries a knee to the head but Ziyad blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Raine.
Raine misses with a knee to the head.
Raine stops a takedown attempt from Ziyad.
Raine content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Raine misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raine.
Raine swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aldo Raine really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tariq Ziyad's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Raine tried to score with a low kick but Ziyad checks it.
Aldo Raine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ziyad fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ziyad is looking to slow Raine down with leg kicks.
Ziyad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ziyad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Raine throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Raine avoids a kick to the body.
A low kick from Ziyad misses

and Raine counters by clinching up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raine.
Ziyad has Raine pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Raine manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad managing to block the knees to the body from Raine.
Ziyad tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ziyad on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ziyad drops down looking for an ankle pick but Raine pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tariq Ziyad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raine checks a leg kick nicely.

Ziyad bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Raine struggling a bit here.
Raine is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Raine's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Ziyad is trying to get an arm triangle but Raine is defending well.
Raine tries to improve position but can't.
Tariq Ziyad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Raine is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ziyad is looking to take a break and control but Raine is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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 controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Raine tries to escape but Ziyad is in control.
Raine is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ziyad's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Raine tries to roll over but Ziyad keeps him under control.
Raine is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad controlling the action here.
Ziyad trying to pass the guard but Raine defending well.
Ziyad has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Ziyad is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Raine wants to control but Ziyad is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ziyad is looking for a kimura but Raine is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ziyad to get the leverage.
Raine is holding on to half guard well.
Ziyad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad had his way with Aldo Raine in that round.
The cut man is working on Tariq Ziyad's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ziyad shoots in looking for a takedown but Raine manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ziyad's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ziyad tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ziyad throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ziyad scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Raine connects with an inside leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Ziyad blocks the low kick.
Ziyad checks a low kick from Raine.
Raine swings for the body but Ziyad moves out of range.

Ziyad tries to keep at a distance but Raine has taken the fight into the clinch.
Raine has a couple of punches blocked by Ziyad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raine misses with the head strike.
Ziyad is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raine pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Raine crunches a lovely knee into Ziyad's ribcage.
Raine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ziyad is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Raine gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tariq Ziyad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ziyad has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Raine after a bit of a struggle.
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.
Raine misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raine with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Raine misses with a body punch.
Ziyad blocks a body shot from Raine.
Ziyad changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Raine fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Raine scoring well with a low kick there.
Ziyad shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Raine pinned against the cage. Raine gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raine lands with an uppercut that bounces Ziyad off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raine wants to clinch.
Raine wants to slow Ziyad down by chopping away at his legs.
A good leg kick by Ziyad.
Ziyad moves out of range of the body kick from Raine.
Ziyad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ziyad explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raine misses with a kick to the body
and Ziyad makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Raine really felt that one!
Ziyad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Raine defends it nicely.

Raine has closed the distance and engaged Ziyad in a clinch.
Raine is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aldo Raine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Raine has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aldo Raine!
Aldo Raine is the new middleweight champion!
Aldo Raine tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.