PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hamad Al Zahran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phan Tran Le (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le has chosen Dukes of Hazard Theme Song - Waylon Jennings as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Al Zahran
vs
Tran Le

188 cm
31
178 lbs
22 - 13 - 2

179 cm
33
182 lbs
27 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
GREEN!160

GREEN!160
Spartan Nutrition

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 22 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Hamad Al Zahran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phan Tran Le!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Le misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Zahran.

Le has closed the distance and engaged Al Zahran in a clinch.
Al Zahran drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Al Zahran prevents a body shot from Le.
Al Zahran scores with a hook to the body.
Le lands a good knee to the midsection. Al Zahran won't want to take too many of those.
Le misses with the head strike.
Al Zahran goes for a takedown attempt but Le pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Al Zahran has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Al Zahran there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Hamad Al Zahran has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Zahran slips a straight right by Le.
Al Zahran attempts a counter takedown but Le avoids it well and moves away.

Le darts in and clinches Al Zahran up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Le just misses with a elbow thrown towards Al Zahran's brow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Le takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Le misses with a punch to the body.
Al Zahran pressing his opponent against the cage.
Le throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Le is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Al Zahran cracks Le with a nice body shot.
Al Zahran misses with the head strike.
Al Zahran misses with some punches.
Al Zahran scores with a hook to the body.
Al Zahran has Le pushed against the cage.
Le comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran prevents a body shot from Le.
Al Zahran tries to score a body lock takedown but Le shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hamad Al Zahran. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Le tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've been informed that Le 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.
A head punch on the inside from Le fails to land.
Le's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Le creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Al Zahran looking for a takedown.
Al Zahran avoids the elbow strike from Le, against the cage.
Al Zahran wants a takedown but no success here.
Le lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Al Zahran or not.
Le lands a body punch.
Le comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Al Zahran can't find room to land a body shot as Le controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Le gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Al Zahran blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Le.
Al Zahran blocks an elbow strike from Le.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Le just misses with a elbow thrown towards Al Zahran's brow.
Le lands an elbow inside that Al Zahran shrugs off.
Le works on Al Zahran's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Al Zahran.
Le blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Le swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Le lands a nice knee to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Le misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran misses with the head strike.
Le misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Le just misses with a elbow thrown towards Al Zahran's brow.
Al Zahran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Al Zahran avoids the elbow strike from Le, against the cage.
Le throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Al Zahran changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Le fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Le scores with a jab to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Le keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Le misses with a head kick.
Le throws a half hearted mid kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phan Tran Le dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hamad Al Zahran's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Le is looking to clinch but Al Zahran is avoiding it.
Le has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Le throws a big shot that misses.
Le looks to throw the jab but Al Zahran is out of range.
Al Zahran lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Le misses with a straight right.
Al Zahran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Al Zahran throws a body punch but Le moves out of range.
Le steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Al Zahran moves out of range as Le throws a body kick.
Al Zahran slips a jab from Le.
Le waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Zahran.
Al Zahran half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Le looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Le fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Al Zahran manages to avoid it.
Al Zahran dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Al Zahran shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Le as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le missing with a left hand there. Al Zahran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Al Zahran drops his hands momentarily and Le takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Le misses with a body kick.
Al Zahran misses with a hook. Le ducked under it nicely.
Al Zahran misses with a wild body shot.
Le is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Al Zahran with a body shot.
Al Zahran throws a low kick but Le avoids it.
Le swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Al Zahran half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Al Zahran throws a leg kick but Le sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Le throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Al Zahran attempts a counter takedown but Le avoids it well and moves away.
Al Zahran avoids the head kick by Le.
Al Zahran cracks Le with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Le fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Al Zahran manages to avoid it.
Le doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Zahran circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Le throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Al Zahran's head.
Le throws an off balance right hand

and Al Zahran counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Le kicks Al Zahran off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Le thows a left - swing and a miss!
Al Zahran half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Le tries to clinch

and Al Zahran counters with a takedown into side control.
Al Zahran throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Le keeping his opponent close.
Le prevents Al Zahran from improving position.
Al Zahran is looking to take a break and control but Le is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Al Zahran has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Al Zahran working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Al Zahran working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Al Zahran 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.
Le tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Le parries the strikes from Al Zahran easily there. Al Zahran is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Le to escape.
Le stops Al Zahran from passing to mount.
Le dodges the ground and pound from Al Zahran.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Al Zahran tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Al Zahran has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Al Zahran decides to stand up, so the ref orders Le to his feet.
Le misses with a straight right.
Le tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Al Zahran attempts a counter takedown but Le avoids it well and moves away.
Le misses with a low kick.
Le cracks Al Zahran with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Le scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Le fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Al Zahran checks it well.
Al Zahran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Le stuns Al Zahran with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phan Tran Le showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hamad Al Zahran's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Le.
Al Zahran keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Le.
Al Zahran throws a low kick but Le moves out of range easily.
Le tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al Zahran paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Le throws a hook to the side of Al Zahran's head but Al Zahran sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Le tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Le fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Le looks to throw the jab but Al Zahran is out of range.
Al Zahran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Al Zahran takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Al Zahran darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Le misses with a body shot.
Al Zahran appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Le doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Zahran circles away.
Al Zahran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Le sprawls and moves away.
Le connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Al Zahran's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zahran slips a jab from Le.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Zahran. Le does a little dance to reset his feet.
Al Zahran walks into a stiff left hand from Le.
Le throws a body shot but no joy.
Le fails with an attempt to clinch.
Le misses with an uppercut.
Al Zahran tries to counter with a takedown but Le is quick to defend against it.
Al Zahran throws a nice outside leg kick.
Le throws a nice looking combination but Al Zahran bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Le avoids the body shot from Al Zahran.
Al Zahran ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Al Zahran half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Al Zahran moves into range and connects with a jab.
Al Zahran cracks Le with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Phan Tran Le is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran blocks a jab.
Al Zahran tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Le defends well and Al Zahran ends up having to push Le into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Le throws a nice outside leg kick.
Le tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Zahran comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Le jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A swing and a miss from Le.
Al Zahran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Al Zahran on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Le stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Al Zahran.
Al Zahran misses with a body punch
and Le counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Le fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Al Zahran manages to avoid it.
Al Zahran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Le wants to clinch up but Al Zahran keeps it at a distance.
Hamad Al Zahran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Le looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Al Zahran slips under a jab.
Le is looking to score with low kicks.
Al Zahran misses with a hook. Le ducked under it nicely.
Le pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Zahran feinted with a counter takedown.

Le gets a clinch.
Le doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Al Zahran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Al Zahran is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Le is defending well.
Al Zahran works on Le's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hamad Al Zahran. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Le gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Al Zahran.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Al Zahran is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Al Zahran is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Le controlling the action here for a moment.
Le prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phan Tran Le comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Le 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phan Tran Le!
Phan Tran Le seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.