PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 1027 p4p, 133 weight class) and Dimitri Vasleyiev (ranked 1109 p4p, 144 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zaire
vs
Vasleyiev

183 cm
33
186 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

178 cm
29
170 lbs
18 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

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 17 - 10 - 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 18 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Dimitri Vasleyiev!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasleyiev tries to clinch up.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vasleyiev moves out of range as Zaire strikes.
Vasleyiev is trying to counter with his kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zaire, right into the meat.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaire.
Vasleyiev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zaire appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vasleyiev misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vasleyiev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaire misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Vasleyiev counters with a nice leg kick.
Zaire is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev moves out of range as Zaire throws a body kick.
Zaire fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It looked like Zaire wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Zaire throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zaire tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vasleyiev misses with a looping right.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasleyiev wants to clinch up but Zaire keeps it at a distance.
Zaire appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Vasleyiev walks into a straight right hand from Zaire.
Vasleyiev throws out a loose jab but Zaire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vasleyiev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A jab from Zaire finds it's way through Vasleyiev's defenses.
Zaire has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Zaire throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasleyiev.
Zaire tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vasleyiev was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaire.
Vasleyiev appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zaire fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Vasleyiev is out of range.
Vasleyiev looks for the body kick but Zaire saw that one coming.
Vasleyiev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zaire feints and then cracks Vasleyiev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vasleyiev down.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zaire, right into the meat.
Vasleyiev is looking to land body kicks.
Zaire throws a chopping leg kick but Vasleyiev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zaire swats away the attempt to clinch by Vasleyiev.
Zaire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev throws a head kick that misses.
Vasleyiev misses with a kick to the body.
Zaire listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vasleyiev throws a good cross that connects.
Vasleyiev moves out of range of the strikes.
Zaire tries to land a front kick but Vasleyiev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vasleyiev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zaire throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Vasleyiev wants to clinch up but Zaire keeps it at a distance.
Vasleyiev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zaire misses with a low kick.
Zaire misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zaire throws a low kick, looking for Vasleyiev's leg but Vasleyiev calmly moves out of range.
Zaire throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Some bone on bone action there as Vasleyiev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vasleyiev lands a lovely overhand right.
Vasleyiev connects with a leg kick. Zaire looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zaire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dimitri Vasleyiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zaire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vasleyiev manages to avoid it.
Vasleyiev avoids the body shot from Zaire.
Zaire is looking to slow Vasleyiev down with leg kicks.
Vasleyiev tries to clinch but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire throws a body shot but no joy.
Zaire tries to work over Vasleyiev's front leg with a kick but Vasleyiev checks it.
Zaire throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zaire is looking to counter punch.
Zaire looks to land a right hand but Vasleyiev moved out of range.
Zaire backing away here, and Vasleyiev unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Zaire uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A clash of legs there as Vasleyiev blocks the low kick.
Vasleyiev throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Zaire counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Zaire swings for the body but Vasleyiev moves out of range.
Zaire looks to throw the jab but Vasleyiev is out of range.
Zaire drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
Zaire misses with a looping right.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Vasleyiev moved away.
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!
Vasleyiev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaire throws a hook but Vasleyiev blocks it.
Zaire throws a big shot that misses.
Vasleyiev connects with a looping right hand.
Zaire walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vasleyiev.
Zaire ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vasleyiev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zaire walks into a left hand.
Vasleyiev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Vasleyiev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaire throws out the jab.
Zaire throws a push kick but Vasleyiev slaps the foot to one side.
Vasleyiev was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Vasleyiev delivers a nice body kick.
Vasleyiev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vasleyiev looks to throw the jab but Zaire is out of range.
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 Abdullah Zaire will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zaire moves out of range as Vasleyiev throws a body kick.
Vasleyiev slips under a jab from Zaire.
Vasleyiev misses with a leg kick.
Zaire connects with a leg kick. Vasleyiev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zaire throws a body punch but Vasleyiev moves out of range.
Vasleyiev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zaire. Zaire obviously looking to wear him down.
Zaire walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vasleyiev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vasleyiev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vasleyiev misses with a hook

and Zaire counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zaire.
Zaire trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasleyiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vasleyiev being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vasleyiev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasleyiev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vasleyiev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zaire's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Zaire postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Vasleyiev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaire.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Vasleyiev. Zaire shrugs it off though.
Zaire throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zaire misses with a low kick.
Zaire takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab lands there for Zaire.
Vasleyiev's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zaire swats away the attempt to clinch by Vasleyiev.
Zaire throws a leg kick
and Vasleyiev counters with a left to the body.
Zaire throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vasleyiev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good leg kick by Zaire there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Vasleyiev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vasleyiev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Vasleyiev throws a leg kick which misses Zaire's front leg but catches the back leg as Zaire tries to avoid it.
Zaire scores with a kick to the body.
Zaire misses with an uppercut
and Vasleyiev counters with a stiff right hand.
Vasleyiev swings for the body but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire moves into range and connects with a jab.
Dimitri Vasleyiev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev lands a leg kick that knocks Zaire off balance momentarily.
Zaire throws a solid leg kick but Vasleyiev takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zaire.
Zaire lands a nice looking kick to the body. Vasleyiev takes a step back to recover.
Vasleyiev moves away from the strike by Zaire.
Vasleyiev throws a wild body kick that Zaire sees coming a mile off.
Zaire avoids a kick to the body.
Vasleyiev moves out of range as Zaire throws a body kick.
Zaire tries to land a leg kick but Vasleyiev saw it coming and moves away.
Zaire throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaire takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaire ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vasleyiev moves away.
Vasleyiev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Vasleyiev throws a body shot but no joy.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev tries to land a front kick but Zaire steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Vasleyiev moved away.
Zaire lands with a nice body punch.
Vasleyiev connects with a leg kick. Zaire looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zaire looks to land a body kick but Vasleyiev moved away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaire throws an off balance right hand
and Vasleyiev counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaire has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Vasleyiev finds it's way round the side to connect with Zaire's head.
Zaire lands a nice shot that snaps Vasleyiev's head back.
Vasleyiev misses with a body kick.
Vasleyiev misses with a hook
and Zaire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vasleyiev lands with an overhand left.
Zaire with a nice cross.
Zaire scores with a decent looking hook.
Vasleyiev scores with a push kick.
Zaire swings for the body but Vasleyiev moves out of range.
Zaire is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zaire walks into a straight right hand from Vasleyiev.

Vasleyiev drives through and clinches with Zaire against the cage.
Vasleyiev throws a punch but it's blocked by Zaire.

Zaire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dimitri Vasleyiev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Zaire moves out of range as Vasleyiev throws a body kick.
Zaire jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zaire tries to land a front kick but Vasleyiev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vasleyiev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A jab from Vasleyiev misses.
Zaire misses with an uppercut
and Vasleyiev counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Zaire throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vasleyiev only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Zaire takes one to the side of the head.
Zaire gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vasleyiev.
Zaire misses with a leg kick
and Vasleyiev counters with an inside leg kick.
Zaire misses with a hook.
Zaire drops his hands momentarily and Vasleyiev takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zaire will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vasleyiev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Zaires jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zaire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Vasleyiev moves out of range as Zaire throws a body kick.

Vasleyiev darts in and clinches Zaire up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaire taking a breather.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vasleyiev.
Zaire misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zaire tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaire scores with a nice hook to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vasleyiev.
A head punch on the inside from Vasleyiev fails to land.
Vasleyiev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vasleyiev throws a head punch that misses.
Vasleyiev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vasleyiev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vasleyiev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vasleyiev prevents a body shot from Zaire.
Zaire swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zaire misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vasleyiev can't find room to land a body shot as Zaire controls the action.
Zaire fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A nice left hand lands by Vasleyiev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev working aggressively here.
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!
A short left from Vasleyiev.
Zaire lands a body shot.
Zaire throws a head punch that misses.
Zaire blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vasleyiev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaire blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaire blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vasleyiev misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Vasleyiev as the two fighters clinch.
Zaire tries to work over Vasleyiev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vasleyiev can't find room to land a body shot as Zaire controls the action.
A left hand lands to the body for Zaire.
A short left from Zaire.
Zaire scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vasleyiev.
A head punch on the inside from Vasleyiev fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Vasleyiev.
Dimitri Vasleyiev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zaire lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Vasleyiev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zaire tries to score a body lock takedown but Vasleyiev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vasleyiev misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vasleyiev lands with a light punch inside.
Vasleyiev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vasleyiev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Vasleyiev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vasleyiev.
A short right from Zaire on the inside.
Vasleyiev misses with some punches.
Zaire prevents a body shot from Vasleyiev.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vasleyiev.

Zaire gets control of Vasleyiev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zaire will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Zaire wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Vasleyiev preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Vasleyiev preventing the sweep.
Zaire is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Zaire working for a triangle but Vasleyiev defends it easily.
Vasleyiev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vasleyiev controlling from the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dimitri Vasleyiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vasleyiev 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dimitri Vasleyiev!
Dimitri Vasleyiev decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.