PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russell Kairouz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derrick Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kairouz's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Metallica - Seek and Destroy. Hicks has chosen It's Amazing as his entrance music. Derrick Hicks has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kairouz
vs
Hicks

185 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
179 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Hellbent, Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Russell Kairouz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Derrick Hicks!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kairouz shoots for a double leg takedown but Hicks sprawls well. He's pushed Kairouz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hicks misses with a hook. Kairouz ducked under it nicely.
Kairouz shoots in for a takedown but Hicks shows good takedown defense.

Kairouz drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hicks is looking to regain half guard here but Kairouz keeps moving and retains side control.
Hicks should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Kairouz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hicks is looking for a sweep.
Hicks is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hicks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hicks wants to get back to full guard.
Hicks manages to get to full guard.
Kairouz won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Kairouz throws a big right hand that misses.
Kairouz wants to pass the guard but Hicks is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.

Kairouz drops back looking for a leg! Hicks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hicks manages to kick Kairouz off! Kairouz jumps back into Hicks's guard.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kairouz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russell Kairouz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kairouz is breathing heavily.
Kairouz ducks under a wild hook from Hicks.
Kairouz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hicks connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kairouz's hands.

Hicks closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hicks wants to control but Kairouz is keeping him busy.

Hicks looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hicks advances to full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks fails to advance to Kairouz's back.

Hicks wants to finish this one by submission but Kairouz is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hicks.
Kairouz is trying to escape the mount.
Kairouz tries to hold on but Hicks pushes him away.
Hicks trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kairouz wants to control but Hicks is having none of it.

Hicks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kairouz manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kairouz wants to control but Hicks postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hicks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kairouz's waist but Kairouz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hicks off to one side.
Kairouz with a poor takedown

and Hicks counters with a shoot takedown. Kairouz fights it but they end up in guard.

Hicks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kairouz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hicks looking to pass the guard.

Kairouz is looking for a triangle but Hicks pushes his legs off easily.

Kairouz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hicks drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hicks jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hicks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hicks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kairouz is trying to control the position but Hicks postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hicks thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kairouz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hicks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hicks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kairouz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hicks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hicks looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hicks pushes down on Kairouz's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Hicks dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kairouz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hicks circles away.

Hicks drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hicks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kairouz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kairouz wants to sweep here but Hicks controlling him for the moment.
Kairouz keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Hicks pushes down on Kairouz's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Hicks seems to be looking for submissions.
Kairouz is looking to control Hicks's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kairouz avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kairouz is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Hicks pulls his head out easily.
Hicks is keen to just control but Kairouz is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kairouz gets full guard.

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

Kairouz looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hicks has picked Kairouz up and slammed him! Kairouz can't keep hold of the triangle and Hicks manages to pass to side control!
Kairouz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hicks wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hicks passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kairouz!
Hicks avoids the attempt from Kairouz to control.
Hicks trying to control but Kairouz is having none of it.

Hicks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kairouz manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Hicks wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kairouz, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hicks is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kairouz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kairouz manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hicks's best efforts.

Hicks is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kairouz defends it well.

Hicks is looking for a kimura here.
Kairouz gets back to full guard.

Kairouz looking for a guillotine here but Hicks defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks looking to pass the guard.

Hicks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Kairouz is keeping the position.
Hicks preventing the sweep.

Kairouz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hicks is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kairouz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hicks's back instead.

Kairouz tightening his grip on Hicks, looking for the choke.
Hicks manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kairouz's guard. Nice work there by Hicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kairouz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kairouz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Kairouz keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Hicks shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Hicks tries to control but Kairouz wriggling away.

Hicks looking for a guillotine from mount but Kairouz is having none of it.

Hicks looking to secure an arm triangle but Kairouz defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Hicks 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.

Kairouz with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hicks counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kairouz!

Hicks working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kairouz tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hicks working for a submission but Kairouz is keeping him at bay.
Kairouz is looking to get to half guard.
Derrick Hicks has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hicks is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Kairouz is in real trouble.
Kairouz is in bad spot here.

Hicks working for a choke but Kairouz is defending well.

Hicks is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hicks looking for the choke but no joy.

Hicks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kairouz is defending well though. Hicks let's go of the attempt for now.

Hicks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kairouz is defending well though. Hicks let's go of the attempt for now.
Kairouz trying to control the hands but Hicks breaks the grip.

Hicks looking for the choke from the back.

Hicks working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Hicks is trying to stick to Kairouz's back but Kairouz is turning into Hicks. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hicks's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kairouz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Hicks is looking for a triangle but Kairouz pushes his legs off easily.
Kairouz passes into half guard.
Hicks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hicks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hicks wants to sweep here but Kairouz controlling him for the moment.
Kairouz stands and throws Hicks's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hicks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kairouz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks is looking to reverse the position.

Kairouz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hicks knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hicks regains half guard.
Hicks is trying to get back to full guard.
Kairouz is tying to control. Hicks wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Kairouz is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kairouz trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.

Hicks is looking for a triangle but Kairouz pushes his legs off easily.

Hicks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kairouz postures up.

Kairouz drops back looking for a leg! Hicks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hicks manages to kick Kairouz off! Kairouz jumps back into Hicks's guard.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Hicks really 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.

Kairouz misses with a takedown

and Hicks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Hicks is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Kairouz has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kairouz is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Hicks pulls his head out easily.

Kairouz is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Hicks pulls his head out easily.
Hicks wants to free his trapped foot but Kairouz is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Hicks looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hicks trying to mount his opponent but Kairouz defends it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kairouz trying to hold on to Hicks's head to control him but Hicks postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kairouz looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kairouz won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Kairouz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hicks's guard.
Hicks tries to roll over but Kairouz keeps him under control.
Hicks moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.
Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but Kairouz is retaining full guard.
Hicks slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Hicks is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kairouz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kairouz manages to get back to half guard.
Hicks trying to control from half guard but Kairouz is working away.
Kairouz is looking for a sweep. Hicks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kairouz is staying active underneath Hicks, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hicks trying to mount his opponent but Kairouz defends it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kairouz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hicks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hicks.

Kairouz working for a triangle but Hicks defends it easily.

Kairouz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hicks sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kairouz's guard.
Kairouz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hicks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kairouz is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kairouz working for a triangle but Hicks defends it easily.

Kairouz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hicks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hicks passes Kairouz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hicks trying to pass the guard but Kairouz defending well.
Kairouz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hicks drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hicks jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Hicks dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Kairouz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kairouz doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hicks counters with a shoot takedown. Kairouz fights it but they end up in guard.

Hicks is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Hicks has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Kairouz to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Hicks is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Kairouz pulls down on the head and he's put Hicks to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Russell Kairouz!
Russell Kairouz retains his welterweight title!