PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dustin Waller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samir Aljani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Samir Aljani has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Waller
vs
Aljani

156 cm
24
194 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dustin Waller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samir Aljani!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Aljani.

Waller fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Aljani sprawls well initially but Waller persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Aljani told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Waller seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Aljani is looking to escape.

Waller decides to stand and escape the position.
Waller misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Aljani misses.
Waller circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aljani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Waller fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Aljani misses with a double jab.
Samir Aljani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aljani tries a head kick but it misses.
Aljani is looking to clinch.

Waller shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Aljani tries to get to full guard but Waller has control of the leg.
Waller passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Waller fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Waller in side control, throwing shots but Aljani defends.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Waller decides to stand up, so the ref orders Aljani to his feet.
Aljani shoots and misses

and Waller counters with a single leg into guard. Aljani didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Waller gets to his feet. Aljani looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Waller shoots in and gets a takedown into Aljani's guard.
Aljani looks winded!
Waller engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Waller really is a fat lump.

Dustin Waller has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Aljani looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Waller blocks the body kick.
Aljani moves in looking to clinch but Waller pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waller doesn't manage to clinch there - Aljani circles away.
Aljani tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Waller counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aljani is trying to stand up here but Waller is controlling him well.
Waller landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Waller not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Waller seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Waller's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Aljani lands with a kick to the temple. Waller shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Aljani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aljani misses with a wild combination.
Aljani lands a jab-cross combination.
Waller is looking to clinch.
Waller moves forwards but Aljani connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aljani connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Waller darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Waller looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Waller thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Aljani's head.
Waller wants to take a breather but Aljani is having none of it.

Dustin Waller has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Aljani throws a series of punches but Waller moves out of range.
Aljani misses with a head kick.
Aljani misses with an attempted mid kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Aljani.
Aljani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aljani is breathing heavily.
Waller slips under a jab from Aljani.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aljani tries to work over Waller's front leg with a kick but Waller checks it.
Waller takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Aljani throws a head kick that misses.

Waller closes the distance and pushes Aljani back into the cage.
Aljani jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Waller walks away with a smile on his face. Aljani gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Waller changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Aljani looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aljani tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Waller easily slips into full mount!
Aljani tries to buck Waller off but Waller takes his back!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Waller controlling the positon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waller punches the canvas rather than the man.

Waller is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Aljani with him. Aljani is trying to defend but Waller has an arm under the chin now! Aljani grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dustin Waller!
In defeat, Samir Aljani stepped up to the mic, saying 'Sometimes you can learn more from a loss than a win, I'll go away rebuild and come back stronger!'.