PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Victor Blitzkof (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tariq Ziyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blitzkof's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, In The End. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Blitzkof
vs
Ziyad

188 cm
26
193 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

188 cm
32
191 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

5th Round Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Victor Blitzkof!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tariq Ziyad!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Lou da Vinci and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ziyad looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ziyad postures up and lands a big shot to Blitzkof's brow.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Blitzkof is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ziyad drops back looking for a leg! Blitzkof is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Blitzkof manages to kick Ziyad off! Ziyad jumps back into Blitzkof's guard.
Blitzkof looking to control.
Ziyad postures up and lands a big shot to Blitzkof's brow.
Ziyad wants to pass the guard but Blitzkof is keeping the position.
Blitzkof keeping moving, preventing Ziyad from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blitzkof can't keep his opponent in guard - Ziyad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ziyad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ziyad is trying to control. Blitzkof wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Ziyad is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Blitzkof doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ziyad.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ziyad missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Blitzkof actively working from the bottom here.
Ziyad is trying to control. Blitzkof wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ziyad with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad tries to pass to full mount but Blitzkof defends it.
Blitzkof has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ziyad is working away from the top position though.

Ziyad seems to be working for a kimura but Blitzkof defends the submission attempt.
Ziyad with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ziyad lands strikes from half guard.
Blitzkof missing with punches from the bottom.
Blitzkof trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad blocks the strikes from Blitzkof.

Ziyad is working for a submission of some sort.
Blitzkof is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ziyad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blitzkof keeps working.
Blitzkof is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ziyad scores with a couple of nice shots.
Well, if Ziyad is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Blitzkof wants to control but Ziyad is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad is looking to take a break and control but Blitzkof is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Blitzkof trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Blitzkof tries to reverse the position but Ziyad maintains control.
Ziyad has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ziyad can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Blitzkof is looking to escape.

Ziyad looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ziyad has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Blitzkof's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ziyad shoots for a double leg takedown but Blitzkof sprawls well. He's pushed Ziyad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ziyad scores with a leg kick.
Ziyad circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ziyad counters with a nice leg kick.
Blitzkof misses the jab.

Ziyad looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Blitzkof is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blitzkof is trying to control the position but Ziyad postures up.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Blitzkof is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ziyad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blitzkof works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad throwing strikes from guard but Blitzkof blocks nicely.

Blitzkof is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Blitzkof keeping moving, preventing Ziyad from controlling successfully.

Ziyad drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ziyad jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ziyad is in close to Blitzkof's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ziyad slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Blitzkof manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad with a flurry of punches that miss.

Blitzkof has his foot on Ziyad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ziyad works his way back into a safe position though.
Tariq Ziyad has got the better of the ground game so far.

Blitzkof escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ziyad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ziyad trying to control but Blitzkof is working from the bottom.
Ziyad distracts Blitzkof with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ziyad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ziyad missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ziyad postures up in Blitzkof's guard and throws a big left but Blitzkof blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ziyad with a nice head shot there.
Ziyad trying to control but Blitzkof is working from the bottom.
Ziyad working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blitzkof has his foot on Ziyad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ziyad works his way back into a safe position though.
Ziyad controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Blitzkof is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blitzkof utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Blitzkof keeps moving.
Ziyad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Blitzkof's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blitzkof is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ziyad passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ziyad controlling the position from side mount.

Ziyad is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Blitzkof knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ziyad wants to control but Blitzkof is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ziyad swings around for an armbar but Blitzkof sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ziyad's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ziyad thows a leg kick but Blitzkof checks it
letting Blitzkof counter with a right hand.
Victor Blitzkof has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body kick there by Ziyad.
Ziyad throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Blitzkof tries to clinch up but Ziyad circles away and keeps his distance.
Ziyad throws a low kick, looking for Blitzkof's leg but Blitzkof calmly moves out of range.
Blitzkof checks a low kick from Ziyad.
Ziyad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Blitzkof tries to clinch
and Ziyad counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Blitzkof is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Blitzkof misses with a wild body shot.
Ziyad throws a low kick, looking for Blitzkof's leg but Blitzkof calmly moves out of range.
A low kick from Ziyad is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Blitzkof looks to land a right hand but Ziyad moved out of range.

Blitzkof gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Blitzkof lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Blitzkof throws a punch but it's blocked by Ziyad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad blocking some punches.
Ziyad is trying to pull guard but Blitzkof has him pressed against the cage.
Blitzkof slows down the pace here.
Ziyad blocking some punches.
Ziyad fails to pull guard.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Blitzkof.
A nice left hand lands by Blitzkof.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blitzkof lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Blitzkof wants to stall.
The referee is keeping an eye on Blitzkof - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ziyad.
Ziyad tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Victor Blitzkof has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tariq Ziyad.
Ziyad tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Blitzkof just stands there and leans against the cage.
Blitzkof content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Blitzkof throws a punch but it's blocked by Ziyad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blitzkof has a couple of punches blocked by Ziyad.
Blitzkof stalling in the clinch but Ziyad improves position.

Ziyad jumps into guard, dragging Blitzkof to the mat.
Blitzkof wanted to stand there but Ziyad had control of the position.
Ziyad looking for a sweep. Not yet Ziyad, not yet.
Ziyad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Ziyad goes for an armbar but Blitzkof turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Blitzkof.
Blitzkof stands and throws Ziyad's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Blitzkof crashes against the mat.
Ziyad is trying to control Blitzkof's posture but Blitzkof avoids it.
Blitzkof working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Tariq Ziyad is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ziyad manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Blitzkof misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ziyad trying to control the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Victor Blitzkof.
I think Ziyad 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tariq Ziyad!
Tariq Ziyad really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Rōnin logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.