PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zhan Dhelan (ranked 1888 p4p, 189 weight class) and Irshaad Sayed (ranked 1611 p4p, 164 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dhelan
vs
Sayed

150 cm
20
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

173 cm
27
150 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zhan Dhelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Irshaad Sayed!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dhelan slips a jab and a cross from Sayed.
Sayed throws a head kick but Dhelan moves out of range.
Sayed scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sayed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Dhelan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sayed stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sayed throws a nice looking combination but Dhelan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sayed keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sayed! But no joy.
Sayed looks to throw the jab but Dhelan is out of range.
A big left from Sayed misses.
Dhelan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sayed lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sayed tests Dhelan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dhelan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
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!
Sloppy strikes from Sayed. Those never looked like landing.
Sayed tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dhelan is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sayed feints a jab promting Dhelan to slip. Sayed then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Dhelan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sayed throws a lazy uppercut
and Dhelan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Dhelan moves into the clinch successfully.

Dhelan pulls guard.
Dhelan looking to control.
Sayed preventing the sweep.
Dhelan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dhelan is on top in guard.

Dhelan stops Sayed from standing up.

Sayed scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Dhelan is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dhelan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sayed.
Sayed lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan wants to clinch up but Sayed keeps it at a distance.
Sayed throws a good cross that connects.
Sayed lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sayed misses with a head kick.
Sayed throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dhelan seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sayed might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sayed throws a big shot that misses.
Sayed throws a series of punches but Dhelan moves out of range.
Sayed connects with the punch.
Dhelan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dhelan moves out of range of the strikes.
Dhelan is looking to counter punch.
Sayed misses with a straight right.
Sayed throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Dhelan.
Dhelan throwing a counter right hand but Sayed manages to avoid it.
Sayed avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sayed throws a leg kick but Dhelan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Dhelan misses the target.
Sayed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dhelan wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Sayed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sayed throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Dhelan counters by moving into the clinch.

Sayed escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sayed getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sayed throws a low kick but Dhelan avoids it.
Irshaad Sayed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sayed throws a jab when Dhelan was well out of range.
Dhelan seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Dhelan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sayed manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dhelan wants to clinch up but Sayed keeps it at a distance.
Sayed lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dhelan blocks a head kick by Sayed.
Sayed misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sayed.
A leg kick checked by Dhelan.
As Sayed tries to get set, Dhelan tries to push him back and clinch up but Sayed manages to avoid the attempt.
Sayed looks to land a combination but Dhelan avoids it well.
Dhelan is looking to counter the offense by Sayed and move into the clinch.
Sayed throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sayed misses with a lunging right hand

and Dhelan counters by clinching up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Dhelan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dhelan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dhelan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sayed is one step ahead there.

Sayed stands up and waves to Dhelan to follow him.
A big left from Sayed misses.
Sayed throws a looping overhand right but Dhelan ducks down to avoid it.
Dhelan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Dhelan checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Irshaad Sayed dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sayed throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dhelan on the side of the head.
Sayed lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dhelan circles away quickly and effectively.
Sayed is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dhelan.
Dhelan throwing a counter right hand but Sayed manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Sayed, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sayed avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Sayed.
Nice body kick there by Sayed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayed cracks Dhelan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sayed throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dhelan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dhelan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhelan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sayed throws out the jab.
Sayed cracks the inside of Dhelan's front leg.
Dhelan moves in looking to clinch but Sayed pushes him off.
Dhelan walks into a stiff left hand from Sayed.
Sayed connects with a body shot that sends Dhelan's belly button to the back.
Dhelan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sayed paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A slow jab from Sayed misses its intended target.
Dhelan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sayed looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dhelan throwing a counter right hand but Sayed manages to avoid it.
Irshaad Sayed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dhelan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sayed manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sayed throws a jab but it's blocked by Dhelan.
Sayed with a jab.
Sayed misses with a low kick.
Dhelan is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Sayed's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Sayed thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sayed throws a jab when Dhelan was well out of range.
Sayed misses with an uppercut.
A little feinted left hand from Dhelan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sayed keeps the fight on the outside.
Irshaad Sayed seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sayed throws a body punch but Dhelan moves out of range.
Dhelan is looking to counter the offense by Sayed and move into the clinch.
Dhelan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sayed is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sayed throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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!
Dhelan slips a straight right by Sayed.
Sayed bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dhelan's head backwards.
Dhelan doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sayed has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dhelan tries to clinch there but Sayed circles away.
Sayed stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dhelan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sayed.
Sayed throws out a loose jab but Dhelan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dhelan throwing a counter right hand but Sayed manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dhelan shoots in and gets a takedown into Sayed's guard.

Sayed has his feet on Dhelan's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sayed throws a looping overhand right but Dhelan ducks down to avoid it.
Dhelan is looking to counter punch.
Dhelan is looking to clinch.
Sayed lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dhelan circles away quickly and effectively.
Irshaad Sayed is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dhelan tries to clinch up but Sayed circles away and keeps his distance.
Sayed cracks Dhelan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Some wild striking there from Sayed.
Sayed dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dhelan. That did some damage!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sayed keeps the fight on the outside.
Dhelan fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sayed misses with a lunging right hand
and Dhelan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sayed throws a left and a right that both miss
and Dhelan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sayed sizes up Dhelan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sayed throws a jab but it's blocked by Dhelan.
Sayed throws a right hand that Dhelan ducks under and follows up with a left that Dhelan also avoids with ease.
Dhelan seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A punch lands to the side of Dhelan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Dhelan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sayed fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dhelan feinted with a counter takedown.
Dhelan tries to clinch up.
Sayed throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sayed falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dhelan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sloppy strikes from Sayed. Those never looked like landing.
Dhelan is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Irshaad Sayed showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sayed throws a poor cross that misses
and Sayed takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sayed rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dhelan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dhelan tries to clinch but Sayed moves out of range.
Sayed lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Dhelan clinches up against the cage.
Sayed working hard to break the clinch.

Dhelan successfully pulls guard.
Dhelan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zhan Dhelan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sayed decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dhelan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sayed lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sayed misses with a leg kick
and Dhelan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sayed fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dhelan checks it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fight stays on the outside here - Dhelan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhelan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dhelan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sayed sprawls well. Sayed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dhelan gets slowly back to his feet.
Sayed misses with a wild combination.
Sayed tries to bum rush Dhelan with a series of wild strikes but Dhelan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dhelan is looking to counter punch.
Nice body punch from Sayed.
Sayed looks to throw the jab but Dhelan is out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dhelan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sayed rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dhelan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dhelan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan doesn't manage to clinch there - Sayed circles away.
Sayed throws a shot from downtown. Dhelan moves away and avoids it.
Dhelan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sayed misses the jab.
Sayed throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dhelan.
Dhelan slips a jab and a cross from Sayed.
Sayed takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sayed swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Dhelan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Dhelan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sayed ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dhelan moves away.
Sayed swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sayed throws a low kick, looking for Dhelan's leg but Dhelan calmly moves out of range.
Sayed throws a leg kick
and Dhelan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sayed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sayed throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sayed throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dhelan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Dhelan avoids the head kick by Sayed.
Dhelan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Dhelan staying out of range there.
Dhelan throwing a counter right hand but Sayed manages to avoid it.
Sayed wants to slow Dhelan down by chopping away at his legs.
Sayed lands a head kick. Dhelan smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dhelan is looking to clinch.
Dhelan tries to clinch but Sayed moves out of range.
Sayed misses with a hook.
Sayed jabs at Dhelan's body.
Sayed misses with a combination
letting Dhelan counter with a right hand.
Dhelan staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sayed ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dhelan moves away.
Dhelan tries to clinch up.
Dhelan doesn't manage to clinch there - Sayed circles away.
Dhelan tries to clinch but Sayed moves out of range.
Sayed lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sayed lands a lovely overhand right.
Dhelan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sayed keeps the fight on the outside.
Sayed swats away the attempt to clinch by Dhelan.
Irshaad Sayed is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dhelan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sayed tries to bum rush Dhelan with a series of wild strikes but Dhelan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A little feinted left hand from Dhelan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sayed swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zhan Dhelan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sayed throws a nice looking combination but Dhelan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Irshaad Sayed comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sayed 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Irshaad Sayed!