PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abul Khayr Belabed (ranked 4287 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saifulla Rakhmonov (ranked 3524 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khayr Belabed
vs
Rakhmonov

180 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abul Khayr Belabed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saifulla Rakhmonov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belabed fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Belabed circles away.
As Rakhmonov tries to get set, Belabed tries to push him back and clinch up but Rakhmonov manages to avoid the attempt.
Rakhmonov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rakhmonov throws a head kick that misses.
Belabed is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rakhmonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belabed closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rakhmonov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Belabed thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Belabed gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rakhmonov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Belabed has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belabed drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rakhmonov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Belabed looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abul Khayr Belabed. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belabed swats away the attempt to clinch by Rakhmonov.
Belabed half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Belabed drives through and clinches with Rakhmonov against the cage.
Rakhmonov is trying to stall.
Rakhmonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rakhmonov is trying to break free.
Rakhmonov is looking to break free of the clinch but Belabed has double underhooks.

Rakhmonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rakhmonov shoots in looking for a takedown. Belabed tries to sprawl out of it but Rakhmonov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belabed manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rakhmonov shoots in and drives through. Belabed sprawls well.
Rakhmonov throws a right and a left that Belabed avoids nicely.
Belabed fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rakhmonov wants to clinch up but Belabed keeps it at a distance.
Belabed tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rakhmonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Belabed.
Rakhmonov moves out of range of the body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Belabed is defended easily by Rakhmonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belabed keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Belabed shoots in for a takedown but Rakhmonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakhmonov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Belabed if he has to take too many more of those.

Belabed has Rakhmonov up against the cage in a clinch.

Belabed successfully pulls guard.
Rakhmonov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Belabed wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belabed is on top in guard.

Belabed looking to pass the guard.
Rakhmonov is controlling Belabed's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belabed pushing down on Rakhmonov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abul Khayr Belabed dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Belabed throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rakhmonov's waist but Rakhmonov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belabed off to one side.
Belabed tries a head kick but it misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rakhmonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belabed shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rakhmonov pinned against the cage. Rakhmonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rakhmonov shoots in but no luck this time.

Rakhmonov rushes Belabed and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakhmonov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rakhmonov is trying to pull guard but Belabed has him pressed against the cage.
Abul Khayr Belabed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saifulla Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov jumps guard but Belabed turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rakhmonov is looking for a takedown.
Belabed is looking to break free of the clinch but Rakhmonov has double underhooks.
Belabed changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rakhmonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belabed defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Belabed tries to clinch but Rakhmonov moves out of range.

Belabed closes the distance and pushes Rakhmonov back into the cage.
Rakhmonov stops a takedown attempt from Belabed.
Belabed has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rakhmonov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Belabed.
Rakhmonov fails to pull guard.
Belabed wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rakhmonov wants to stall.
Belabed drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rakhmonov pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov throws a head kick but Belabed moves out of range.
Belabed drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls and moves away.
Belabed goes for a double leg but Rakhmonov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rakhmonov continues to drive forward.
Rakhmonov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Abul Khayr Belabed is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown but Belabed shows good takedown defense.
Belabed tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rakhmonov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Belabed drives through and clinches with Rakhmonov against the cage.
Rakhmonov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Belabed goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rakhmonov prevents it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Belabed stops a takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov is trying to maintain a safe position but Belabed gets an underhook and turns Rakhmonov into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Belabed is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rakhmonov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Belabed is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rakhmonov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rakhmonov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Belabed walks away with a smile on his face. Rakhmonov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Belabed doesn't manage to clinch there - Rakhmonov circles away.
Rakhmonov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Belabed is defended easily by Rakhmonov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Saifulla Rakhmonov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck for Belabed with that takedown attempt.
Rakhmonov unleashes a big counter combination but Belabed bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saifulla Rakhmonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belabed tries to clinch but Rakhmonov moves out of range.
Rakhmonov fails to land with a series of punches.
Belabed seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rakhmonov misses with a takedown attempt - Belabed sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belabed has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakhmonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Belabed tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belabed looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belabed shoots in for a takedown but Rakhmonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakhmonov is looking for the big counter here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rakhmonov doesn't manage to clinch there - Belabed circles away.
Rakhmonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rakhmonov fails to land the takedown.
Belabed is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rakhmonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rakhmonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rakhmonov is looking to clinch.
Belabed tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rakhmonov swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abul Khayr Belabed. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov wants to clinch up but Belabed keeps it at a distance.
Belabed throws a big counter combination but Rakhmonov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Belabed closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rakhmonov circles away.
Belabed moves out of range of the body kick.
Rakhmonov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Belabed manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Belabed is looking to counter the offense by Rakhmonov and move into the clinch.
Belabed throws a sloppy head kick and Rakhmonov moves out of range easily.
Belabed tries for a takedown but Rakhmonov circles away easily
and Rakhmonov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belabed sprawls well. Belabed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rakhmonov gets slowly back to his feet.
Rakhmonov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Belabed.
Belabed lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rakhmonov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Belabed takes the fight into the clinch.
Rakhmonov prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belabed can't get the takedown.
Belabed wants a takedown.
Rakhmonov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rakhmonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rakhmonov wants to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Rakhmonov manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saifulla Rakhmonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rakhmonov 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!