PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Troy Finch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baruch Zahav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Finch
vs
Zahav

191 cm
23
245 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

196 cm
25
258 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Troy Finch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Baruch Zahav!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finch dives in for a single leg takedown but Zahav sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Finch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Zahav misses.
Zahav looks to land a combination but Finch avoids it well.
Finch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zahav as he jumps to the side.
As Finch backs off Zahav throws a huge counter combo but Finch manages to avoid it all.
Finch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Troy Finch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Finch keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zahav.
Zahav lands with a right hand.

It looks like Troy Finch has been cut.
Zahav swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zahav cracks Finch with an open hand slap.

Finch dives in and scores a takedown into Zahav's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zahav has his hands on Finch's head, controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zahav can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch wants to stand but Zahav has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Finch forces his way into half guard.
Zahav really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Finch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Finch performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Zahav is doing well to control the position and prevent Finch from advancing to side control.
Zahav wants to get back to full guard but Finch has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finch grinds an elbow into Zahav's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Zahav's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finch wants to control but Zahav is keeping him busy.

Finch is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zahav is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zahav tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Finch wants to control the pace but Zahav is squirming around nicely.
Zahav is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Finch looking to control but Zahav is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zahav is trying to reverse the position but instead Finch has taken his back - oops!
Zahav looks winded!

Zahav is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Zahav trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Finch is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Zahav defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Zahav wants to control his opponent's hands but Finch gets his hands free.
Zahav is really stuck here.
Zahav is taking damage to the body and head.

Finch is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Zahav is defending well though. Finch let's go of the attempt for now.

Finch looking to break Zahav's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Zahav remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Finch will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Finch working for a choke but Zahav is defending well.

Finch has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Zahav has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Zahav tries to escape the position.
Zahav looking very determined here, making life difficult for Finch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zahav trying to control the hands but Finch breaks the grip.
Zahav covers up after that shot from Finch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Troy Finch dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Troy Finch's cut.
That's time! Finch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Finch defending well as Zahav loads up on a big left hand.
Zahav misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Finch.
Zahav throws a body punch but Finch moves out of range.
Zahav throws a hook but Finch avoids it easily.
Zahav throws a right and a left that Finch avoids nicely.
Zahav lands a nice looking body shot.
Finch swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Finch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Baruch Zahav seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zahav misses with a jab, cross combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Finch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finch misses with a head kick.
Zahav is breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Zahav as Finch shoots in.
Zahav looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Finch fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Troy Finch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zahav lunges at Finch with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Finch's hand.
Zahav digs a good hook to Finch's body.

Finch takes the fight into the clinch.
Finch is trying to break the clinch but Zahav has him pressed against the cage.
Finch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zahav avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Finch avoiding damage.
Finch tries for a takedown but Zahav manages to get underhooks.
Finch tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zahav lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Finch or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finch tries to pull guard but Zahav forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zahav cracks Finch with a nice body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zahav.
Zahav gets underhooks to prevent Finch's takedown attempt.
Finch has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zahav after a bit of a struggle.
Finch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zahavs head.
A right handed body shot lands from Zahav.
Finch's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Finch drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finch wants to stand up but Zahav is controlling him.
Zahav wants to stand but Finch has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Finch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Finch managing to control the position.
Finch has a closed guard, preventing Zahav from standing up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Zahav wants to stand and escape but instead Finch has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Zahav trying to control the position here.
Zahav keeping moving, preventing Finch from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zahav pulls Finch in to control the position.
Zahav working a defensive guard but Finch passes into half guard.
Zahav wants to control the action here but instead Finch manages to pass to full mount!
Zahav tries to hold on but Finch postures up.
Finch pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Zahav wants to hold on but Finch pushes him away.

Finch is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zahav has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Finch trying to control but Zahav is having none of it.
Zahav tries to control the position but Finch now has his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Baruch Zahav will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Troy Finch's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Finch shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Finch fails with an attempt to clinch.
Finch misses with a head kick.
Zahav scores with a nice right hand.
Zahav swings for the body but Finch moves out of range.
It looked like Finch was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Zahav scores with a sloppy right hand. Finch should have avoided that one.
A shot to the body from Zahav misses
and Finch counters with a left to the body.
Zahav looks to land a right hand but Finch moved out of range.
Zahav swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Finch counters with a head kick.
Troy Finch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zahav throws a series of punches but Finch moves out of range.
Finch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zahav manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zahav misses with a wild body shot.
Zahav tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Finch was well out of range. Poor timing from Zahav.
Zahav takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zahav takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Finch throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zahav circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zahav was well out of range. Poor timing from Finch.
Finch fails to land the takedown.
Zahav now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zahav rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Finch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zahav throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Finch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zahav, pushing him back against the cage.
Finch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zahav avoids it.
Finch is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zahav to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Troy Finch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Finch has Zahav pressed against the cage, preventing Zahav from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Finch drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zahav gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zahav letting Finch take a breather here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zahav blocks an uppercut.

Zahav breaks from the clinch.
Finch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zahav as he jumps to the side.
Finch tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zahav defends well and Finch ends up having to push Zahav into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Finch changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zahav tries to avoid it but Finch manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zahav to the ground. Zahav escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Baruch Zahav is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zahav throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Finch scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zahav doesn't seem bothered though.
Zahav misses with a straight left.
Finch moves out of range of the strikes.
Finch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Finch has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finch takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Finch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zahav manages to avoid it.
Finch tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zahav sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Finch somewhat.
Zahav uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Finch has time to react.
Finch fails with an attempt to clinch.

Finch changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zahav looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Finch stands up.
Finch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Finch has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zahav finds it's way round the side to connect with Finch's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Finch looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Finch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zahav's waist but Zahav gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Finch off to one side.
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!
Zahav misses with a jab, cross combination.
Finch is looking for a counter combo.
Zahav misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Finch.
Finch shoots in for a double leg but Zahav sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Finch throws a right and a left that Zahav avoids nicely.
Zahav lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zahav misses with a double jab

and Finch counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A nice left hand lands by Zahav.

Finch manages to break the clinch.
Finch moves out of range as Zahav strikes.
Finch throws a big counter combination but Zahav scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Baruch Zahav seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finch changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zahav tries to avoid it but Finch manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zahav to the ground. Zahav escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Baruch Zahav comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zahav 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Baruch Zahav!
A less than humble Baruch Zahav misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.