PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Sutherland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zaire
vs
Sutherland

183 cm
22
198 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
188 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abdullah Zaire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dean Sutherland!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaire chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sutherland can pounce on him.
Sutherland connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zaire. Zaire circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sutherland throws a body shot but no joy.
Sutherland misses with a hook. Zaire ducked under it nicely.
Sutherland fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sutherland takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Zaire throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zaire throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sutherland.
Sutherland throws a solid leg kick but Zaire takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sutherland.
Sutherland lands a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaire.
Sutherland lands a slapping body shot.
Zaire takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sutherland avoids a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sutherland throws a shot to the body.
Sutherland's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zaire under the eye.
Good exchange - Sutherland coming out on top.
Zaire tries a low kick but Sutherland avoids it.
Zaire throws a push kick but Sutherland slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire walks into a straight right hand from Sutherland.
Sutherland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
A good leg kick by Sutherland.
Sutherland throws a body punch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A low kick from Sutherland is predictable there

and Zaire counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Zaire seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zaire missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zaire lands with a punch from half guard.
Sutherland is staying active underneath Zaire, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zaire controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaire.
Sutherland blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zaire.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sutherland is not content to let Zaire control the position.
Sutherland avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaire.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaire is taking a breather. Sutherland says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Zaire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Zaire in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaire.
Zaire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sutherland lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zaire throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sutherland walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zaire checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Zaire checks the leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zaire.
Zaire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zaire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sutherland works the jab nicely.
Zaire explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nice uppercut lands for Sutherland. That snapped Zaire's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sutherland lands a jab to the head.
Dean Sutherland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sutherland.
Sutherland misses with a body punch

and Zaire counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaire content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Zaire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zaire working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zaire throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sutherland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zaire is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sutherland tries to get to full guard but Zaire has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dean Sutherland will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sutherland digs a good body shot into Zaire's ribs.
Sutherland cracks Zaire with an open hand slap.
Zaire takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zaire looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sutherland misses with a wild combination.
Dean Sutherland seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaire blocks the body kick.
Sutherland will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zaire misses with a hook. Sutherland ducked under it nicely.
A clash of legs there as Zaire blocks the low kick.
Zaire appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Zaire misses with a hook. Sutherland ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sutherland throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaire.
Zaire feinted with a counter takedown.
Sutherland stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zaire.
Sutherland avoids a kick to the body.
Zaire on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A punch lands to the side of Zaire 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sutherland misses with a straight left.
Sutherland misses with a wild body shot.
Sutherland throws a lazy right hand but Zaire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zaire moves out of range as Sutherland throws a body kick.
Sutherland takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Sutherland throws a body punch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire is looking to slow Sutherland down with leg kicks.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zaire.
Zaire tries to move into range but Sutherland moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A big right from Sutherland misses.
Sutherland lands with a cross.
Zaire throws a body kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaire. Sutherland does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sutherland ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sutherland checks a low kick from Zaire.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sutherland! But no joy.
Dean Sutherland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaire throws a jab but it's blocked by Sutherland.
Nice shot by Sutherland.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Sutherland sees it coming and moves out of range.
Zaire gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sutherland.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A swing and a miss from Sutherland.
And Zaire counters with a quick kick to the body but Sutherland blocks it.
Zaire throws a hook but Sutherland avoids it easily.
Sutherland throws out a loose jab but Zaire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sutherland scores with a nice head shot.
Zaire swings for the body but Sutherland moves out of range.
Zaire cracks the inside of Sutherland's front leg.
Sutherland throws a leg kick but Zaire checks it.
Zaire explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A thudding body kick lands there by Zaire!
A solid body kick from Zaire.
Sutherland throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaire throws a body punch but Sutherland moves out of range.
Sutherland scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zaire in his tracks.
Sutherland tries to score with a low kick but Zaire moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaire. Sutherland does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sutherland looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zaire takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zaire throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sutherland misses with a body kick.
Zaire takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zaire displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sutherland throws out the jab.
Zaire goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sutherland looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zaire is looking to counter with a body kick.
Zaire throws the kick towards the body but Sutherland avoids it.
A good leg kick by Sutherland.
Zaire fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sutherland is out of range.

Zaire fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sutherland sprawls well initially but Zaire persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sutherland keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nice strikes from Zaire there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sutherland defending well though.
Sutherland wants to get back to full guard.
Zaire throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zaire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zaire is just content to waste time from the top position. Sutherland takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dean Sutherland will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sutherland ducks under a wild hook from Zaire.
Zaire swings for the body but Sutherland moves out of range.
Zaire throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaire backing away here, and Sutherland unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Zaire on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sutherland. Sutherland obviously looking to wear him down.
Sutherland takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zaire misses with a body kick.
Zaire shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sutherland throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sutherland lands with a good body shot.
Zaire looks for the body kick but Sutherland saw that one coming.
Sutherland throws a low kick, looking for Zaire's leg but Zaire calmly moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sutherland pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zaire is out of range and Sutherland settles back down.
Zaire misses with a low kick.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Sutherland.
Sutherland throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zaire counters with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sutherland thows a leg kick but Zaire checks it
and Zaire counters with a body kick that stops Sutherland in his tracks momentarily.
A low kick from Zaire is predictable there
and Sutherland counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaire shoots in looking for a takedown but Sutherland manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zaire's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zaire thuds his shin into the meat of Sutherland's side.
Zaire throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from Zaire tenderised Sutherland's leg. Sutherland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zaire tries to land a body kick
and Sutherland counters with an inside leg kick.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Sutherland sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sutherland with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sutherland explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sutherland moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zaire on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaire just misses with a punch to the body.
Sutherland has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Zaire.
Sutherland throws a nice looking combination but Zaire bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sutherland throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sutherland.
Sutherland scores with a nice body kick.
Sutherland thumps Zaire with a low kick.
Sutherland digs a good body shot into Zaire's ribs.
Zaire plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zaire misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Sutherland misses.
Zaire has been working on his balance at Masaru Fighting Systems II, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Sutherland.
Sutherland chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaire can pounce on him.
Zaire throws a wild body kick that Sutherland sees coming a mile off.
Sutherland's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sutherland lands a jab to the nose.
Zaire looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sutherland is looking to land body kicks.

Zaire scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Zaire misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Zaire in side control, throwing shots but Sutherland defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire controlling the position from side mount.
Sutherland is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Dean Sutherland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zaire trying to control the position but Sutherland is working away.

Zaire working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zaire looks up at the clock and then as Sutherland takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Zaire smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Zaire throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Abdullah Zaire overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zaire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sutherland keeps working.
Zaire throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Zaire tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zaire has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Abdullah Zaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaire cracks Sutherland with an elbow. That is naaassty.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Abdullah Zaire.
I think Sutherland has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dean Sutherland!