PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hamad Al Zahran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Holden Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie has chosen Metallica Enter Sandman as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Al Zahran
vs
Gracie

188 cm
30
178 lbs
19 - 11 - 2

190 cm
36
179 lbs
33 - 14 - 4

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

GREEN!160

Namunamu Clothing

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 19 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Hamad Al Zahran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 14 - 4, fighting out of St Petersburg, Holden Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Zahran steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've been informed that Gracie has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Al Zahran throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gracie was covering up waiting for the punch and Al Zahran finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Al Zahran landing with the ground and pound.
Al Zahran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gracie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Zahran looking to pass the guard.
Al Zahran won't allow Gracie to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Zahran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Al Zahran trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Al Zahran postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Gracie pushes Al Zahran off and scrambles back to his feet.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Zahran. Al Zahran obviously looking to wear him down.
Al Zahran throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.
Jab, jab by Gracie - just one landing.

It looks like Hamad Al Zahran has been cut.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand

and Al Zahran counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gracie!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran looks up at the clock and then as Gracie takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Al Zahran smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Zahran trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Al Zahran throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gracie stops Al Zahran from passing to mount.
Al Zahran is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Gracie's shoulder. That is not cool.
Gracie stops Al Zahran from passing to mount.
Al Zahran wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Zahran is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gracie has escaped the position, nice work there.
Al Zahran is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie is trying to get back to his feet.
An elbow from Al Zahran crashes against the mat.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Al Zahran trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Al Zahran's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Al Zahran is pressing down on Gracie's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gracie is holding on for now.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Al Zahran has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Zahran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamad Al Zahran dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hamad Al Zahran's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Al Zahran shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gracie looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Al Zahran with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Zahran shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Al Zahran gets a clinch.
Al Zahran pushes Gracie back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Al Zahran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zahran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Gracie tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Al Zahran.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Al Zahran.
Gracie slowing the pace effectively.

Al Zahran lands a takedown into guard.
Al Zahran throws a big right hand that misses.

Al Zahran stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Al Zahran tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Al Zahran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran lands a nice looking body shot.
Al Zahran scores with a jab.
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!
Gracie throws a jab when Al Zahran was well out of range.
Al Zahran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gracie sprawls and moves away.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie throws a low kick, looking for Al Zahran's leg but Al Zahran calmly moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gracie lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Al Zahran has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Al Zahran and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Al Zahran attempts a counter takedown but Gracie avoids it well and moves away.
Gracie throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Al Zahran's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Al Zahran.
Al Zahran lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Al Zahran scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Al Zahran.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Al Zahran blocks the low kick.
Al Zahran tries to counter with a takedown but Gracie is quick to defend against it.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Al Zahran is out of range.
Gracie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Al Zahran.
Al Zahran tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gracie takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hamad Al Zahran dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hamad Al Zahran's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gracie lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gracie moves out of range of the leg kick from Al Zahran.
Al Zahran scores with a hook.
Al Zahran lands with a good body shot.
Al Zahran works Gracie's body with a nice hook.

Al Zahran decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie pushes Al Zahran off looking to stand but Al Zahran dives back in and keeps control.
Al Zahran not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Al Zahran stands up out of the half guard.
Al Zahran lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zahran avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Al Zahran moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hamad Al Zahran is winning the standup battle so far.
Al Zahran connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
Al Zahran slips a jab from Gracie.
Gracie takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Al Zahran takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Al Zahran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Zahran moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Al Zahran does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Al Zahran with a hook.
Hamad Al Zahran is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Al Zahran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gracie sprawls and moves away.
Al Zahran swinging wildly here.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holden Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Zahran tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Al Zahran blocks a jab.
Al Zahran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gracie sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a head kick but Al Zahran moves out of range.
Gracie throws a big shot that misses.
Al Zahran attempts a counter takedown but Gracie avoids it well and moves away.
Al Zahran thuds his shin into the meat of Gracie's side.
Al Zahran lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
Holden Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie misses with an attempted mid kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Al Zahran is defended easily by Gracie.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Al Zahran is out of range.
Al Zahran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gracie sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A low kick from Gracie misses

and Al Zahran counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Al Zahran passes the guard and advances to mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie blocking the ground and pound.
The referee warns Gracie that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gracie is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Al Zahran cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

And that's the end of the fight!
Hamad Al Zahran showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Al Zahran has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hamad Al Zahran!
Hamad Al Zahran decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.