PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Houston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gasan Umalatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Umalatov has chosen Don Omar - Danza Kuduro ft. Lucenzo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Gasan Umalatov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Houston
vs
Umalatov

179 cm
25
199 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

183 cm
27
196 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Houston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gasan Umalatov!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Eddie Farnsworth and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houston scores with a hook to the body. Umalatov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Umalatov cracks Houston with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Houston throws a nice head kick!
Houston misses with a body shot.
Houston smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Houston looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Umalatov slips under a jab from Houston.
Umalatov moves forwards but Houston connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Umalatov throws a series of punches but Houston moves out of range.
Houston scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Houston.
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!
Houston smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Umalatov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Houston stuffs the takedown.
Houston misses with a series of wild punches.
Good exchange - Houston coming out on top.
Houston throws a sloppy head kick and Umalatov moves out of range easily.
And Umalatov tries to counter it with a takedown but Houston pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Houston with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Umalatov to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Umalatov.
Umalatov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Houston to score with a decent uppercut.
Umalatov scores with a nice right hand.
Umalatov dives in and grabs Houston's left leg, looking for a takedown. Houston pushes down on Umalatov's head and hops out.

Umalatov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Umalatov wants to control from the top but Houston keeps moving.

Umalatov stands up and waves to Houston to follow him.
Houston moves into range and connects with a jab.
A head kick misses from Houston.
Houston lands a nice shot to the body.
Houston lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Houston throws a hook to the side of Umalatov's head but Umalatov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Umalatov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A head kick misses from Houston.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umalatov shoots in looking for a takedown but Houston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Umalatov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Max Houston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gasan Umalatov.
Some bone on bone action there as Umalatov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Houston throws a right and a left that Umalatov avoids nicely.
Umalatov misses with a looping right.
Max Houston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houston throws a chopping leg kick but Umalatov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Houston misses with an uppercut.
Houston throws a head kick but Umalatov moves out of range.
Umalatov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Houston defends it well.
Umalatov blocks a head kick by Houston.
Umalatov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Houston was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Umalatov.
Umalatov cracks Houston with a good jab.
Umalatov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Max Houston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Houston sizes up Umalatov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Umalatov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Umalatov slips a jab from Houston.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice straight punches there by Houston. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Houston.
Umalatov fails to land the takedown.
Houston lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Houston throws a body shot but no joy.

Houston tries to keep at a distance but Umalatov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Umalatov misses with the head strike.
Umalatov wants a takedown but no success here.
Houston works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Houston's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slow jab from Umalatov misses its intended target.
Umalatov scores with the left hand. Houston knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Houston scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houston dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Umalatov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Houston finds it's way round the side to connect with Umalatov's head.
Umalatov avoids the head kick by Houston.
A slow jab from Houston misses its intended target.
Houston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Umalatov.
Houston lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Houston cracks a nice hook into Umalatov's ribs.
A punch combination from Umalatov misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Houston connects with a solid leg kick.
Houston misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Houston connects with a leg kick. Umalatov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Umalatov avoids the head kick by Houston.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Houston dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Houston's corner calls for a 1-2. Houston obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Houston is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Umalatov can do to turn this around?
Houston ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Umalatov moves away.
Houston lands a nice hook to Umalatov's body. Umalatov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Houston finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheers as Houston lands an impressive looking overhand right. Umalatov doesn't seem phased though.
Houston tries a head kick but it misses.
Sloppy strikes from Umalatov. Those never looked like landing.
Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Houston throws out a loose jab but Umalatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Umalatov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Houston lands with a hook. Umalatov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Houston throws an overhand right that lands on Umalatov's shoulder, as Umalatov tries to avoid the shot.
Umalatov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Houston is out of range and Umalatov settles back down.
Houston throws a big counter combination but Umalatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Umalatov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Umalatov defending well as Houston loads up on a big left hand.

Umalatov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Umalatov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Houston explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Umalatov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Houston scores with a punch to the head.
Umalatov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Houston.
Houston throws a lazy right hand but Umalatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Houston misses with a hook.
Umalatov walks into a left hand.
Umalatov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Houston throws a series of punches but Umalatov moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Houston.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Umalatov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Houston throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Umalatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Umalatov drops his hands momentarily and Houston takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Houston lands with an uppercut that bounces Umalatov off the cage and back into range.
Houston throws a series of strikes that have Umalatov backpedaling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umalatov thuds a left hand into Houston's body.
Umalatov moves in looking to clinch but Houston pushes him off.
Houston circles away from the clinch attempt
and Houston counters with a stiff right hand.
Houston tries a head kick but it misses.
Umalatov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Umalatov throws a hook but Houston blocks it.
Houston throws a lazy right hand but Umalatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Houston throws a nice looking combination but Umalatov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Umalatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Houston slaps away a takedown attempt from Umalatov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Umalatov moves away from the strike by Houston.
Max Houston is winning the standup battle so far.
Houston's jab looks to have found its range, popping Umalatov under the eye.
Houston pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Umalatov. Houston does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umalatov swings for the body but Houston moves out of range.
Houston looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Umalatov dives in and grabs Houston's left leg, looking for a takedown. Houston pushes down on Umalatov's head and hops out.
Umalatov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Houston's head.
Houston throws a shot from downtown. Umalatov moves away and avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Houston.
Houston throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Houston ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Umalatov cracks Houston with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Umalatov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Umalatov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Houston circles away from the clinch attempt.
Umalatov walks into a stiff left hand from Houston.
Umalatov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Houston 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Houston misses the shot to the body.
Umalatov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Houston defends it well.
Umalatov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Houston.
Houston looks to land a left hand but Umalatov moved out of range nicely.
Houston misses with a wild combination.
Umalatov shoots for a takedown but Houston saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Max Houston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gasan Umalatov.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Umalatov feints the counter takedown.
Umalatov throws a big shot that misses.
Umalatov misses with a hook
and Houston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Umalatov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Umalatov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Umalatov tries to clinch there but Houston circles away.
Houston takes a swing at Umalatov's ribcage but misses.
Houston throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Houston dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Houston lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Houston pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Houston throws a low kick but Umalatov avoids it.
Houston circles away from the clinch attempt.
Houston misses with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Umalatov. Those never looked like landing.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Umalatov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Houston.
Umalatov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houston moves away.
Umalatov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Houston manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Houston checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umalatov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Houston circles away quickly and effectively.
Houston connects with the punch.
Umalatov blocks a jab.
Umalatov avoids the head kick by Houston.
Umalatov walks into a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Umalatov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Houston to score with a decent uppercut.
Houston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Umalatov manages to avoid it.
Houston gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Umalatov avoids the body shot from Houston.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice straight punches there by Houston. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Houston.
Houston misses the jab.
Houston scores with the left hand. Umalatov knows he should have avoided that one.
Umalatov is looking to clinch but Houston is avoiding it.
Umalatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Umalatov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Houston uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Umalatov.
Houston moves into range and connects with a jab.
Houston lands a jab to Umalatov's midsection.
Umalatov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Houston. That's going to slow Umalatov down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Houston misses the shot to the body.
Houston misses with a jab, cross combination.
Umalatov shoots in looking for a takedown but Houston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Umalatov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Max Houston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gasan Umalatov.
Houston swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Umalatov ducks under a wild hook from Houston.
Houston throws an overhand right that lands on Umalatov's shoulder, as Umalatov tries to avoid the shot.
Houston throws out a loose jab but Umalatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Umalatov misses with a wild body shot.
Houston on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Houston ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Umalatov moves away.
Houston throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Umalatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Houston misses with a head kick.
Houston throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Umalatov moves into the clinch.
Houston is trying to break the clinch but Umalatov is controlling him.

Umalatov manages to break the clinch.
Houston keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A jab from Houston misses.
Umalatov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A slow jab from Houston misses its intended target.
Umalatov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Houston defends it well.
Houston misses the jab.
Houston scores with a nice head shot.
Houston misses with a wild body shot.
Umalatov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Houston cracks Umalatov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Houston is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Umalatov.
Umalatov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Houston.
Umalatov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houston swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umalatov misses with a takedown
and Houston counters with a straight right hand.
Houston uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Umalatov.
Max Houston is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Houston throws a low kick but Umalatov moves out of range easily.
Umalatov blocks a jab.
Umalatov scores with the left hand. Houston knows he should have avoided that one.
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!
Houston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Umalatov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Houston looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Umalatov ducks under a wild hook from Houston.
Houston throws a shot from downtown. Umalatov moves away and avoids it.
Umalatov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Houston's head backwards.
Umalatov cracks a nice hook into Houston's ribs.
Houston lands a nice looking body shot.
Gasan Umalatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Umalatov misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Houston showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Houston, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Houston!
An out of breath Max Houston thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.