PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eruera Wharerau (ranked 3386 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shahwali Hussainzada (ranked 3791 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Eruera Wharerau has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Wharerau
vs
Hussainzada

175 cm
25
157 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

181 cm
25
156 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eruera Wharerau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shahwali Hussainzada!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Wharerau. Those never looked like landing.

Hussainzada decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hussainzada stalling.

Wharerau is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hussainzada pulls his head out easily.
Hussainzada slows the pace down in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
It looks like Hussainzada might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Hussainzada is pressing down on Wharerau's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wharerau is holding on for now.
Hussainzada really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wharerau. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hussainzada stands up and beckons Wharerau to join him on the feet.

Hussainzada closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wharerau has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Hussainzada has hold of one of Wharerau's legs. Wharerau is fighting the takedown attempt but Hussainzada gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hussainzada tries to free his leg and advance position but Wharerau is retaining full guard.
Hussainzada lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hussainzada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wharerau is keeping the position for now.
Hussainzada working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussainzada throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wharerau works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hussainzada controls from within his opponent's guard.

Hussainzada decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Hussainzada shoots in and gets a takedown into Wharerau's guard.

Hussainzada drops back, looking for a kneebar! Wharerau looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Wharerau looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Wharerau!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wharerau wants to stand but Hussainzada has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussainzada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Wharerau wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Wharerau wants to stand but Hussainzada has his arm trapped.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hussainzada can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hussainzada is holding Wharerau down, trying to stall.
Wharerau wants to stand but Hussainzada is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Wharerau working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Wharerau tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wharerau has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Hussainzada's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wharerau tries to stand but Hussainzada is controlling his head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hussainzada is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Hussainzada's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shahwali Hussainzada dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hussainzada rushes Wharerau and presses him up against the cage.
Wharerau is trying to force a seperation but Hussainzada has the dominant position.
Hussainzada keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Wharerau's efforts to push away.
Wharerau is trying to break the clinch but Hussainzada has him pressed against the cage.
Hussainzada prevents the takedown attempt.
Hussainzada tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hussainzada keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Wharerau's efforts to push away.
Wharerau tries to break the clinch but Hussainzada is controlling the position.
Hussainzada swings wildly with an uppercut but Wharerau uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussainzada tries to land knees in the clinch but Wharerau avoids the damage to the body.
Hussainzada jumps guard but Wharerau turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Wharerau drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wharerau is trying to push Hussainzada away but Hussainzada has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussainzada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hussainzada fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Eruera Wharerau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shahwali Hussainzada.
Hussainzada avoiding damage.
Wharerau working hard to break the clinch.
Wharerau is looking to break free of the clinch but Hussainzada has double underhooks.
Hussainzada has Wharerau pressed against the cage, preventing Wharerau from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hussainzada is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wharerau pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hussainzada looking for a takedown.
Hussainzada tries a knee to the head but Wharerau blocks it.
Hussainzada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hussainzada is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wharerau is defending well.

Hussainzada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wharerau throws a low kick but Hussainzada avoids it.
Hussainzada tries to counter by closing the distance.

Hussainzada gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wharerau can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Come on Hussainzada - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Wharerau has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wharerau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Hussainzada lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Hussainzada decides to stand and escape the position.
Wharerau throws a one two combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wharerau will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Hussainzada shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Hussainzada was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wharerau pushes Hussainzada away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Hussainzada gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussainzada looking to control but instead Wharerau has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Hussainzada seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hussainzada trying to pass the guard but Wharerau defending well.
Wharerau tries to kick Hussainzada off but Hussainzada keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hussainzada is controlling the pace.
Wharerau is staying active underneath Hussainzada, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hussainzada thows a huge punch but Wharerau dodges it nicely.

Hussainzada postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Wharerau to stand up.
Wharerau throws a nice looking combination but Hussainzada bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hussainzada now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hussainzada showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wharerau.
Hussainzada tries to bum rush Wharerau with a series of wild strikes but Wharerau uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hussainzada rushes Wharerau and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hussainzada tries to land a knee to the head but Wharerau blocks with his arms.
Hussainzada has Wharerau pressed against the cage.
Wharerau is trying to break the clinch but Hussainzada is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shahwali Hussainzada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hussainzada shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Shahwali Hussainzada has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hussainzada stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wharerau swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Hussainzada gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hussainzada.
Hussainzada misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hussainzada tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hussainzada trying to control the position but Wharerau is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hussainzada working the head and body with strikes.
Hussainzada controls the position.

Hussainzada decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Hussainzada moves into the clinch.

Hussainzada gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Hussainzada throws an elbow that misses. Wharerau uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hussainzada's guard. Nice move by Wharerau!

Wharerau wants to stand but Hussainzada is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hussainzada looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hussainzada has a closed guard, preventing Wharerau from standing up.
Wharerau throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hussainzada looking to control.
Wharerau trying to control but Hussainzada is working from the bottom.
Wharerau wanted to stand there but Hussainzada had control of the position.
Hussainzada looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hussainzada will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Hussainzada darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hussainzada lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hussainzada controlling the action here.
Hussainzada winds up and cracks Wharerau with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wharerau is not content to let Hussainzada control the position.
Hussainzada not doing much here.
Wharerau is trying to stand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hussainzada throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shahwali Hussainzada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hussainzada 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shahwali Hussainzada!