PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zakir Hussain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xapiolas Rocky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hussain
vs
Rocky

167 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zakir Hussain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Xapiolas Rocky!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Matheus Silva and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocky throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Rocky feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Hussain working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rocky has passed into half guard!
Hussain missing with punches from the bottom.
Rocky sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rocky prevents Hussain from improving his position.

Hussain looking for submissions off his back.

Hussain looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussain manages to get to full guard.

Rocky stands up and waves to Hussain to follow him.
Hussain throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hussain really is a fat lump.
Hussain throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Rocky pushes Hussain up against the cage in a clinch.
Hussain looking to stall.

Rocky is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hussain can't fight it off and eventually Rocky manages to take the fight to the floor. Hussain looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Rocky controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hussain has an active guard here but Rocky has managed to pass into half guard.
Rocky looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Hussain is defending against the submission attempts here by Rocky.
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!
Rocky prevents Hussain from improving his position.
Rocky wants to free his trapped foot but Hussain is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rocky controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain is looking to improve his position.
Rocky working Hussain over with strikes.
Hussain trying to control here.
Rocky with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Hussain looking for submissions off his back.
Hussain is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rocky's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rocky's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hussain missing with strikes.
Rocky wants to escape the position.
Rocky trying to control but not successfully.
Hussain scores with punches and elbows.
Rocky manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hussain's guard. Nice work there by Rocky.
Rocky trying to control but Hussain is working from the bottom.
Rocky must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hussain 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.

Hussain had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rocky defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xapiolas Rocky dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rocky has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rocky fails to land with a series of punches.

Rocky gets a double leg takedown into Hussain's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hussain manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rocky tries to lock up and control but Hussain gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hussain lands a nice shot to the head.
Hussain lands a big elbow.
Hussain lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hussain working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Hussain landing strikes from the mount and Rocky is in trouble!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocky is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Hussain goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rocky turns into him and now he's in Hussain's guard.
Rocky won't allow Hussain to sweep him here.

Hussain working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rocky doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rocky manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hussain is trying to control the position but Rocky postures up.
Rocky lands a couple of elbows.
Rocky tries to stand but Hussain is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocky is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rocky is breathing heavily.

Hussain is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Rocky decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hussain, up you get!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Hussain misses.
Rocky looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Hussain does it's job there.
Hussain connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hussain lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussain keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice cross by Hussain.
Hussain connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hussain paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rocky scores with a spinning back kick!

Hussain tries to sprawl but Rocky drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hussain works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hussain keeping full guard, as Rocky tries to pass.
Hussain lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rocky!
Hussain scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hussain has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rocky's face.
Rocky tries to lock up and control but Hussain gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rocky taking shots to the head.
BOOM! Hussain connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hussain in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Rocky is controlling an arm, preventing Hussain from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Hussain breaks from Rocky's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hussain is trying to take his opponent's back.

Hussain looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hussain is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Hussain!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Zakir Hussain!
In his post fight interview, Zakir Hussain started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.