PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Firnanda Talha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Zibanejadass (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Talha comes to the cage accompanied by radioactive -Imagine Dragon. Mika Zibanejadass will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Talha
vs
Zibanejadass

170 cm
30
143 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

170 cm
29
138 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Firebird Designs - 10% Laundry commission

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 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Firnanda Talha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mika Zibanejadass!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Talha avoids the head kick by Zibanejadass.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that Talha semi-blocks.
Talha lands with a right hand.
Talha misses with a takedown attempt
and Zibanejadass counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Talha is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Talha with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Talha tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zibanejadass sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Talha somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Firnanda Talha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Talha doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Zibanejadass to counter with a crisp jab.
Zibanejadass has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Talha shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zibanejadass counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Talha is rocked!
Talha throws a looping overhand right but Zibanejadass ducks down to avoid it.
Talha fails to land the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Talha shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zibanejadass manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Talha accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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.
Talha with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zibanejadass looking to hit a scissor sweep but Talha is one step ahead there.
Talha throws a strike but Zibanejadass rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Talha being controlled here, momentarily.
Talha has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Zibanejadass stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Talha swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Talha looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Zibanejadass has picked Talha up and slammed him! Talha can't keep hold of the triangle and Zibanejadass manages to pass to side control!
Talha being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zibanejadass wants to lay and pray for a moment but Talha keeps working.
Talha is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Zibanejadass is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Talha is looking to get to half guard.
Talha is squirming around, avoiding Zibanejadass's attempts to control the action.
Talha tries to reverse the position but Zibanejadass maintains control.
Zibanejadass looking to control but Talha is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zibanejadass controlling the position easily from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mika Zibanejadass.
Talha tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zibanejadass sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Talha somewhat.
Horrible takedown by Talha or perhaps it was just good defense by Zibanejadass which made him look bad.
Talha shoots in but Zibanejadass avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zibanejadass misses with a head kick.
Zibanejadass fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Talha is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Talha decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zibanejadass is looking to control Talha's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zibanejadass avoid being mounted?
Zibanejadass is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Talha's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Talha's back!
Zibanejadass controls the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Zibanejadass's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Talha is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Slaughterhouse MMA (Redesigned), so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Talha tries to escape the position.
Talha prevents Zibanejadass from getting a body triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Talha rolls, trying to escape but Zibanejadass keeps control of the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Zibanejadass dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Talha avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Talha with a poor takedown
and Zibanejadass makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Talha misses with a double jab
and Zibanejadass counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Talha takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice takedown defense from Zibanejadass. No joy for Talha on that attempt.
Zibanejadass throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zibanejadass pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Talha tries for a takedown but Zibanejadass circles away easily
and Zibanejadass counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Oh Talha is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Firnanda Talha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Talha thows a body shot but no joy.
Talha seems to have got his legs back now.
Zibanejadass stuffs the takedown attempt from Talha. Talha gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Talha gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zibanejadass trying to stall but Talha improves his position.
Zibanejadass throws an elbow but it misses.

Talha is trying to trip Zibanejadass. He has hold of a leg but Zibanejadass is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Talha persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Talha throws a big right hand that misses.
Talha with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zibanejadass looking for a sweep. Not yet Zibanejadass, not yet.
Zibanejadass pulls Talha in close to prevent any damage.
Talha throws a big elbow that misses.
Talha trying to control the position from guard on top but Zibanejadass is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Talha throws a strike but Zibanejadass rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zibanejadass is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mika Zibanejadass wasn't active enough on the ground.
Talha misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zibanejadass lands with a nice body punch.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zibanejadass throws a push kick but Talha slaps the foot to one side.
Zibanejadass keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A solid body kick from Zibanejadass.
Firnanda Talha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Talha misses with a takedown attempt
and Zibanejadass counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Mika Zibanejadass seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Zibanejadass lands a big head kick that sends Talha tumbling to the mat! Zibanejadass takes a step backwards and waves Talha back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Talha shoots in but Zibanejadass avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zibanejadass feints and then cracks Talha's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Talha down.
Talha throws a hook but Zibanejadass blocks it.
Talha tries for a takedown but Zibanejadass circles away easily
and Zibanejadass counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Talha closes the distance and clinches up with Zibanejadass, looking for a takedown. Talha pushes Zibanejadass against the cage but Zibanejadass circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zibanejadass closes the distance and pushes Talha back into the cage.
Zibanejadass comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Talha blocks the elbow strike.
Talha is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Talha takes an elbow to the temple.
Talha is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zibanejadass stalling the fight.
Zibanejadass gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zibanejadass lands an elbow just above Talha 's eye.
Talha has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zibanejadass is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zibanejadass throws an elbow but it misses.
The referee calls for Zibanejadass to work.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Zibanejadass showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Zibanejadass.
Zibanejadass swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Talha.
Zibanejadass tries a head kick but it misses.
Talha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zibanejadass defends it nicely.
Zibanejadass dips to his left and cracks Talha with an uppercut!
Zibanejadass pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Talha tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Firnanda Talha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Talha shoots in looking for a takedown. Zibanejadass tries to sprawl out of it but Talha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zibanejadass manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Talha.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Firnanda Talha. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zibanejadass misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zibanejadass stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zibanejadass wants it to stay on the feet.
Zibanejadass motions for Talha to come forward. Zibanejadass throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mika Zibanejadass is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses.
Zibanejadass is looking to slow Talha down with leg kicks.
The fighters circle momentarily. Talha darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses.
Zibanejadass fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Talha is out of range.
Zibanejadass displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Talha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zibanejadass turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zibanejadass is looking to slow Talha down with leg kicks.
Talha throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zibanejadass lands with a slapping head kick.
Zibanejadass defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Talha.
Talha blocks a head kick by Zibanejadass.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zibanejadass throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Talha gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zibanejadass counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Talha shoots for a double leg takedown but Zibanejadass sprawls well. He's pushed Talha's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zibanejadass throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zibanejadass keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Talha shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zibanejadass misses with a lunging right hand

and Talha counters with a single leg into guard. Zibanejadass didn't expect that.
Zibanejadass not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Firnanda Talha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zibanejadass has control of Talha's left arm, preventing Talha from doing any damage.
Talha throwing strikes from guard but Zibanejadass blocks nicely.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Talha's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zibanejadass wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zibanejadass is controlling Talha's posture.
Firnanda Talha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Talha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zibanejadass keeping moving, preventing Talha from controlling successfully.
Zibanejadass bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Talha's guard.

Zibanejadass got a little sloppy there for a moment and Talha has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zibanejadass has managed to get both his arms back between Talha's legs - danger averted.

Talha working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zibanejadass doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zibanejadass manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Talha keeping full guard, as Zibanejadass tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zibanejadass's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mika Zibanejadass comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zibanejadass 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mika Zibanejadass!
Mika Zibanejadass gave a mention to Fury Nutrition Inc. in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).