PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Zavurov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abrax Dall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dall is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Under the Blood. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zavurov
vs
Dall

172 cm
30
169 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

175 cm
21
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Shamil Zavurov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Abrax Dall!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dall scores with a kick to the midsection.

Zavurov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Zavurov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zavurov shoots and misses
letting Dall counter with a right hand.
Zavurov wants to clinch up but Dall keeps it at a distance.
Dall is looking for the big counter here.
Zavurov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dall.
Zavurov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zavurov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dall.
Dall was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Zavurov gets caught flat footed, as Dall shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zavurov has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Zavurov wants to stand but Dall is controlling the position.
Dall forces his way into half guard.
Dall not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zavurov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dall performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Dall seems to be looking for submissions.
Dall is controlling the pace.
Zavurov pushes Dall off looking to stand but Dall dives back in and keeps control.
Dall is looking to advance position but Zavurov won't allow it.
Zavurov punching from the bottom.

Zavurov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Shamil Zavurov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dall tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov is trying to pull guard but Dall turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zavurov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Zavurov breaks from the clinch.

Zavurov has Dall up against the cage in a clinch.

Zavurov jumps guard.
Zavurov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dall scoring with some ground and pound.
Dall's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Zavurov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dall is controlling him.
Zavurov being controlled here, momentarily.
Dall throwing strikes but missing.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet but Dall passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dall prevents Zavurov from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dall wants to work for an arm triangle but Zavurov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zavurov is trying to stand up here but Dall is controlling him well.

Dall is trying to work for a kimura but Zavurov is defending well.
Zavurov pushes Dall off looking to stand but Dall dives back in and keeps control.

Zavurov pushes Dall off and gets back to his feet.

Zavurov darts in and clinches Dall up against the cage.
Zavurov lands a left hand.
Dall is looking to take this one to the mat.

Dall turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Dall manages to end up in side control.
Zavurov is pushing Dall's head away, looking to escape. Dall manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall advances nicely into full mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zavurov gets back to half guard.
Dall wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zavurov keeps working.

Zavurov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Dall circles away from the clinch attempt
and Dall connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dall throws the kick towards the body but Zavurov avoids it.
It looked like Zavurov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dall.
Nice straight punches there by Dall. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dall.
Zavurov moves in looking to clinch but Dall pushes him off.
A cross from Zavurov lands.
Zavurov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Zavurov has Dall up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shamil Zavurov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dall throws a sloppy head kick and Zavurov moves out of range easily.

Zavurov moves into the clinch.
Dall goes for a takedown attempt but Zavurov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zavurov tries to clinch but Dall is having none of it.
Dall is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zavurov shoots and misses
and Dall counters with a two punch combo.
Zavurov tries to clinch up.

Zavurov moves into range and clinches up with Dall.
Dall wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zavurov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dall is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zavurov to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zavurov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dall uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zavurov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shamil Zavurov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abrax Dall.
Dall prevents a body shot from Zavurov.
Zavurov jumps guard but Dall turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dall tries to score a body lock takedown but Zavurov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zavurov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dall blocks an uppercut.
Dall tries for a takedown but Zavurov manages to get underhooks.

Dall has Zavurov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dall pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zavurov tumbling to the mat - Dall dives into Zavurov's guard.
Zavurov is looking to stand up but Dall isn't so interested in that idea.
Zavurov keeping moving, preventing Dall from controlling successfully.

Zavurov pushes Dall off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Abrax Dall is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zavurov is looking to clinch.
Zavurov darts in trying to clinch

and Dall counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zavurov throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Abrax Dall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dall prevents Zavurov from escaping the position.
Zavurov is not content to let Dall control the position.
Dall 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.
Zavurov pushes Dall away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dall gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Dall is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zavurov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zavurov is pushing Dall's head away, looking to escape. Dall manages to hold on to the position though.
Zavurov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dall working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet.
Dall passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zavurov!
Dall postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Zavurov looks a forlorn figure.
Zavurov is trying to stand but he's just given Dall his back.
Zavurov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Dall working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
We've been informed that Dall has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Zavurov is trying to stand back up.
Dall lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov is trying to stand back up.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Dall's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Zavurov is trying to get back to his feet but Dall has full control of the position and if anything, Zavurov has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Zavurov manages to escape to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dall scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dall avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abrax Dall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zavurov tries to clinch up but Dall circles away and keeps his distance.
Dall is looking for the big counter here.
Zavurov darts in trying to clinch
and Dall counters with a stiff right hand.
Zavurov tries to clinch up.
Dall raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Zavurov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dall swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zavurov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dall paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dall changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zavurov dives in and grabs Dall's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dall pushes down on Zavurov's head and hops out.
Zavurov tries to clinch but Dall is having none of it.
Dall drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zavurov defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zavurov wants to clinch but Dall slips to the side

and Dall counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zavurov wants to get back to his feet but Dall is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dall pushing down on Zavurov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zavurov taking some punishment here, with Dall in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zavurov is in trouble now - Dall has advanced to mount!
Zavurov is trying to stand but he's just given Dall his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dall biding his time, controlling Zavurov.
Zavurov looking very determined here, making life difficult for Dall.

Dall looking for the choke but no joy.
Zavurov is trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Dall.

Zavurov is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Zavurov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Dall rushes Zavurov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zavurov is pressed up against the cage. Dall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zavurov down to the mat. Zavurov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Zavurov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dall blocking some punches.
Zavurov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zavurov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dall is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Zavurov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Dall tries to pull guard but Zavurov holds him up against the cage and eventually Dall drops back down to his feet.
Zavurov misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zavurov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dall changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zavurov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shamil Zavurov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abrax Dall.
Dall circles away from the clinch attempt.
Abrax Dall seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zavurov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dall paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zavurov moves in looking to clinch but Dall pushes him off.
Dall looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dall misses with a few strikes there.
Dall staying out of range there.
Dall drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zavurov defends it well.
Dall avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dall tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Zavurov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dall manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Zavurov forces Dall back against the cage and clinches.
Zavurov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shamil Zavurov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zavurov working aggressively here.
Zavurov misses with some punches.
Zavurov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall dodges an elbow strike from Zavurov.
Zavurov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Dall wants a takedown but no success here.
Dall blocks the elbow strike.
Zavurov gets underhooks to prevent Dall's takedown attempt.
Zavurov working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dall.
Dall looking for a takedown.
Zavurov is pressed up against the cage. Dall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zavurov down to the mat. Zavurov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dall keeps the fight on the outside.

Zavurov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dall is looking to break free of the clinch but Zavurov has double underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zavurov.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Abrax Dall.
I think Dall 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shamil Zavurov!
Shamil Zavurov took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, BlackStar Athletics for their support in the buildup to the fight.