PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dante Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jabari Jelani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dante Hicks could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jabari Jelani's chin.

Hicks
vs
Jelani

191 cm
23
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
275 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Decent elbows
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry
Cobra Pharmaceuticals (159++ Stamina)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dante Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jabari Jelani!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hicks moves into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jelani obliges.
Jelani tries to circle away but Hicks has him pinned against the cage.

Hicks lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Hicks is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jelani is looking to control Hicks's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jelani avoid being mounted?
Hicks looks to land a strike but Jelani avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Jelani has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jelani looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks trying to control but Jelani is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hicks tries to clinch but Jelani moves out of range.
Hicks avoids a kick to the body.
Hicks tries to clinch but Jelani is having none of it.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jelani throws a low kick but Hicks avoids it.
Jelani looks to land a right hand but Hicks moved out of range.
Nice cross by Hicks.
Hicks has a takedown stuffed.
Hicks takes a swing at Jelani's ribcage but misses.
Jelani misses with the combination.
Hicks scores with a nice head shot.
Jabari Jelani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jelani throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hicks sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hicks misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jelani fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A jab from Jelani misses.
Hicks wants to clinch up but Jelani keeps it at a distance.
Hicks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jelani shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jelani scores with a one two! Hicks had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Dante Hicks has been cut.
A swing and a miss from Hicks.
Hicks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jelani moves away.
Jelani keeps Hicks at a distance using the push kick.
Hicks cracks Jelani with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hicks throws a head kick but Jelani moves out of range.
Hicks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jelani lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Hicks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hicks avoids a punch combination nicely.

Hicks closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Jelani changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hicks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jelani tries to land a front kick but Hicks steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jabari Jelani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dante Hicks's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hicks shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hicks was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hicks throws some wild stikes that Jelani manages to avoid easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jelani holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Hicks tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Hicks unloads with some shots from mount but Jelani bucks and avoids them well.
Jelani tries to lock up and control but Hicks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hicks throwing strikes here but Jelani is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hicks avoids the attempt from Jelani to control.
Hicks throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jelani is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hicks punching from mount but Jelani doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Jelani is looking to get to half guard.
Hicks with shots to the head and body - Jelani looks very uncomfortable down there.

It looks like Jabari Jelani has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throwing strikes but Jelani bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.

Hicks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jelani passes into side control.
You can see the frustration on Hicks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
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!
Hicks is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jelani's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is trying to maintain the position but Jelani is very close to passing his half guard.
Hicks gets back to full guard.

Hicks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jelani passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks manages to get to full guard.
Hicks is striking from the bottom but Jelani uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Hicks dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hicks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jelani as he jumps to the side.
Jelani is looking to score with low kicks.
Hicks dodges the punch combination from Jelani.
Jabari Jelani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hicks on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Jelani swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hicks doesn't manage to clinch there - Jelani circles away.
Hicks with a hook.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws an elbow that misses. Jelani uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hicks's guard. Nice move by Jelani!
Hicks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jelani manages to get himself to full guard.
Hicks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hicks won't allow Jelani to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hicks has gone for a leg lock! Jelani slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hicks's guard.

Hicks has an active guard here but Jelani has managed to pass into half guard.

Hicks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hicks actively working from the bottom here.

Hicks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Hicks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hicks is trying to control but Jelani manages to pass to mount!
Hicks bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Hicks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hicks 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Hicks!