PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Neo Nova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamid Zaferani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nova
vs
Zaferani

171 cm
28
137 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

170 cm
24
145 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Neo Nova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hamid Zaferani!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Zaferani does it's job there.
Nova fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nova lands with a slapping head kick.
Nova takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nova misses with a head kick.
Nova looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zaferani dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nova. That did some damage!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nova, right into the meat.
Zaferani throws a body kick the misses
and Nova makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nova moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nova throws a body kick that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaferani cracks Nova with an open hand slap.
Zaferani takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nova throws a head kick that misses.
Nova walks into a jab.
Zaferani scores with a jab to the body.
Nova jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaferani scores with a body shot.
Zaferani moves out of range of the leg kick from Nova.
Nova takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nova throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Zaferani counter with a right hand.
Nova uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zaferani.
Nova throws a low kick, looking for Zaferani's leg but Zaferani calmly moves out of range.
Zaferani throws the kick towards the body but Nova avoids it.
Nova misses with a low kick as Zaferani jumps back.
A good leg kick by Nova.
Zaferani throws a head kick that misses.
Nova throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zaferani.
Nova defending well as Zaferani loads up on a big left hand.
Nice shot by Zaferani.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Zaferani crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nova - the referee stops the clock and Zaferani gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nova. Zaferani manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nova tries to land a leg kick but Zaferani saw it coming and moves away.
Zaferani looks to throw the jab but Nova is out of range.

Zaferani gets caught napping as Nova dives in and scores a takedown. Zaferani manages to retain guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nova postures up.
Zaferani controlling Nova's posture.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova stays in close to Zaferani's body and controls the position.
Nova looking to sit in guard and control but Zaferani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zaferani slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zaferani must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hamid Zaferani wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zaferani connects with a solid leg kick.
Zaferani pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nova is out of range and Zaferani settles back down.
Nova throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zaferani misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nova misses with a leg kick.
Nova is looking to chop away at Zaferani's legs.
Nova throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zaferani throws a series of punches but Nova moves out of range.
Nova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nova throws a leg kick
and Zaferani counters with a left and a right that stings Nova.
Nova swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zaferani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaferani throws a right and a left that both miss.
Neo Nova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nova!
Nova pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaferani. Nova does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nova throws a body kick the misses
and Zaferani counters with a body kick.
Nova tries to land a leg kick but Zaferani saw it coming and moves away.
Nova lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nova uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaferani.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani cracks Nova with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nova fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nova moves forwards but Zaferani connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zaferani is looking to chop away at Nova's legs.
Zaferani fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nova checks it well.
Zaferani bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nova looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zaferani throws a hook but Nova blocks it.
Nova throws the kick towards the body but Zaferani avoids it.
Nova throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zaferani is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zaferani tried to score with a low kick but Nova checks it.
Zaferani lunges at Nova with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nova's hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zaferani slips a straight right by Nova.
Nova throws a sloppy head kick and Zaferani moves out of range easily.
Nova tries a head kick but it misses.
Zaferani tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamid Zaferani dominated that round.
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.

A jab from Zaferani misses.
Zaferani scores with a shot to the body.
Nova checks a leg kick.
Nova looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zaferani closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nova misses with a low kick.
Nova pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hamid Zaferani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaferani throws a low kick but Nova moves out of range easily.
Nova looks for the body kick but Zaferani saw that one coming.
Nova misses with a body shot
and Zaferani counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zaferani is looking to clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nova!
Nova is looking to land body kicks.
Zaferani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nova slips under a jab.
Nova throws out a leg kick but Zaferani moves out of range and Nova only half commits.
Zaferani smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaferani stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nova.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nova closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zaferani to the mat! Zaferani manages to get full guard.
Nova looking to sit in guard and control but Zaferani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nova has an active guard here but Zaferani has managed to pass into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zaferani works his foot free and advances to mount.
Zaferani controlling from the full mount.
Nova can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Zaferani in particular looking to stall.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nova wants to get back to full guard.
Zaferani controlling the pace.
Nova is looking for a sweep. Zaferani is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hamid Zaferani hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Zaferani throws the left hand but Nova avoids the punch easily.
Nova misses with a low kick.
Nova ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
That kick from Zaferani tenderised Nova's leg. Nova is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zaferani moves to clinch but Nova breaks away
and Nova counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A combination from Zaferani does no damage.
Zaferani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nova connects with a high kick.
Hamid Zaferani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zaferani gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nova.
Zaferani fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zaferani connects with a right hand. Nova shakes it off.
Nova misses with an uppercut
enabling Zaferani to counter with a crisp jab.
Nova misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaferani.
Nova lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nova changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zaferani tries to avoid it but Nova manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zaferani to the ground. Zaferani escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zaferani's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A shot to the liver by Nova. Beautiful body shot.
Zaferani tries to clinch there but Nova circles away.
Zaferani cracks Nova with a good jab.
Nova steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaferani.
Nova motions for Zaferani to come forward. Nova throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nova throws a lazy right hand but Zaferani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zaferani lands a head shot.
Zaferani misses the shot to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zaferani.
Nova fails to land with a series of punches.
Nova punishes Zaferani's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nova misses with a low kick.
Zaferani lands a head shot.
Zaferani scores with a jab.
Zaferani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nova doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamid Zaferani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zaferani swings for the body but Nova moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nova. That's going to slow Zaferani down.
Zaferani ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zaferani lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nova.
Zaferani moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nova looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A punch combination from Zaferani misses.
Zaferani scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nova doesn't seem bothered though.
Zaferani misses with a looping left.
Nova is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nova buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nova throws a low kick but Zaferani avoids it.
Nova looks for the body kick but Zaferani saw that one coming.
Nova misses with an uppercut
and Zaferani counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nova circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nova shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zaferani defends it nicely.
Nova thows a leg kick but Zaferani checks it
and Zaferani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nova looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Decent striking displayed by Zaferani there.
Zaferani tried to score with a low kick but Nova checks it.
Nova just misses with a punch to the body.
Nova is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Nova misses the target.
Nova lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zaferani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nova.
Zaferani misses the shot to the body.
Zaferani throws a shot from downtown. Nova moves away and avoids it.
Nova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zaferani has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nova.
Zaferani wants to clinch.
Nova throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zaferani.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova throws a head kick but Zaferani moves out of range.
Nova tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zaferani lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nova is looking to wear down Zaferani with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nova throws a leg kick
and Zaferani counters with a nice body kick.
Zaferani scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaferani throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good standup being displayed there by Zaferani as he connects with a hook.
Zaferani throws a sloppy head kick and Nova moves out of range easily.
Nova throws a front kick aimed at Zaferani's knee but Zaferani avoids it well.
Some bone on bone action there as Zaferani checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nova looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zaferani misses with a wild body shot.
Nova throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nova tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaferani was well out of range. Poor timing from Nova.
Zaferani scores with a body shot.
Zaferani works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nova's corner calls for a 1-2. Nova obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Neo Nova has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaferani scores with a nice right hand.
Zaferani misses with a lunging right hand
and Nova counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zaferani lands with an uppercut that bounces Nova off the cage and back into range.
Nova misses with a two punch combination.
Zaferani throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaferani feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nova's calf.
Zaferani checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Zaferani is looking to clinch but Nova is avoiding it.
Nova lands with a slapping head kick.
Zaferani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nova manages to avoid it.
Zaferani throws out a loose jab but Nova uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head kick from Nova lands but Zaferani takes it in his stride.
Nova throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Zaferani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hamid Zaferani is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nova ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nova uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from Zaferani.
Nova tries a head kick but it misses.
Zaferani lands a nice shot that snaps Nova's head back.
Zaferani throws a looping overhand right but Nova ducks down to avoid it.
Zaferani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaferani tries to close the distance and clinch but Nova swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zaferani slips a jab and a cross from Nova.
Zaferani misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nova throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nova throws a sloppy head kick and Zaferani moves out of range easily.
Zaferani connects with a body shot that sends Nova's belly button to the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hamid Zaferani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaferani winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hamid Zaferani!
A relieved looking Hamid Zaferani thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.