PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor Twelve (ranked 5784 p4p, 479 weight class) and Hlasela Dlamini (ranked 4015 p4p, 397 weight class). Hlasela Dlamini is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Twelve
vs
Dlamini

183 cm
21
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
24
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Nutra-Lite

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 London, Connor Twelve!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hlasela Dlamini!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dlamini throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Twelve counters with a left and a right that stings Dlamini.
Dlamini shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Twelve but Twelve pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Twelve displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dlamini throws out the jab.

Twelve clinches up against the cage.

Twelve breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Twelve closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dlamini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Dlamini has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Twelve fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Twelve dodges the punch combination from Dlamini.

Twelve gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dlamini swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Twelve stops a takedown attempt from Dlamini.
Twelve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Twelve's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Twelve finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Dlamini misses with a series of wild punches.
It looked like Twelve was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dlamini.
Dlamini scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Connor Twelve has been cut.
The fighters circling - Dlamini throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Twelve was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dlamini.
Nice uppercut there from Dlamini.

Twelve clinches up with Dlamini and pushes him back against the cage.
Dlamini struggles to land a body shot inside as Twelve controls his hands.
Twelve avoiding damage.
Dlamini misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Twelve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dlamini lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dlamini wants a takedown but no success here.
Connor Twelve has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hlasela Dlamini.
Dlamini is trying to drag Twelve to the mat but Twelve just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good body shot from Dlamini.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dlamini working aggressively here.
Dlamini can't get the takedown.
Twelve drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dlamini pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dlamini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dlamini fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Twelve looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dlamini fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hlasela Dlamini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Twelve walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dlamini tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Twelve defends well and Dlamini ends up having to push Twelve into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Dlamini.
Twelve is looking to clinch.
Dlamini lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Twelve blocks an uppercut.
Dlamini working some nice short punches in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dlamini.
Dlamini leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini goes for a takedown attempt but Twelve pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Twelve rushes Dlamini and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dlamini.
Twelve lands with a right to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Twelve is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Dlamini gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Dlamini tries to pass to full mount but Twelve defends it.
Dlamini working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Twelve actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hlasela Dlamini dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Connor Twelve's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dlamini scores with a jab to the jaw.
Twelve avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Twelve swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Twelve throws a series of punches but Dlamini avoids them all with ease.
Dlamini throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Twelve stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Twelve slips a jab and a cross from Dlamini.
Dlamini throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hlasela Dlamini seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dlamini lands a slapping body shot.
Twelve fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Twelve takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dlamini scores with a hook to the body. Twelve takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A punch combination from Dlamini misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dlamini fails with a takedown attempt.
Twelve walks into a jab.
Dlamini misses with the combination.
Dlamini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Twelve shoots for a takedown but Dlamini saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Twelve dodges the punch combination from Dlamini.
Dlamini misses with the combination.
Twelve is looking for a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Twelve stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Twelve takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dlamini throws a hook but Twelve blocks it.
Twelve is looking for a counter combo.
Dlamini swinging wildly here.
Twelve misses with a few strikes there.
Twelve has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dlamini finds it's way round the side to connect with Twelve's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dlamini jabs at Twelve's body.
Dlamini misses with a body shot.
Twelve is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Dlamini.
The fight stays on the outside here - Twelve looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Twelve moves away.
Dlamini jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dlamini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Twelve steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dlamini.
Twelve is looking to clinch but Dlamini is avoiding it.
Twelve uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dlamini.
Twelve tries to clinch but Dlamini is having none of it.
Dlamini throws an overhand right that lands on Twelve's shoulder, as Twelve tries to avoid the shot.
Dlamini throws a hook to the side of Twelve's head but Twelve sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Twelve looks to clinch
and Dlamini counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Twelve tries for a takedown but Dlamini sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Dlamini thuds his right hand into Twelve's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dlamini throws a body punch but Twelve moves out of range.
As Dlamini looks to move away, Twelve throws a big counter combo but Dlamini just gets out of the way.
Dlamini rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Twelve moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dlamini takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dlamini lands a two punch combo.
Dlamini lands with a big left! Twelve is wobbled badly! Dlamini comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Twelve to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Hlasela Dlamini!
Hlasela Dlamini seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.