PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Geo Versu (ranked 631 p4p, 97 weight class) and Mohsin Zaidi (ranked 495 p4p, 74 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Versu
vs
Zaidi

180 cm
28
214 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

187 cm
27
220 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Geo Versu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Mohsin Zaidi!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaidi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Versu moves away.
Versu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaidi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Zaidi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Versu tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zaidi is in Versu's guard.
Zaidi tries to free his leg and advance position but Versu is retaining full guard.
Zaidi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zaidi postures up in Versu's guard and throws a big left but Versu blocks it.
Versu wants to get back to his feet but Zaidi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Versu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Versu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zaidi is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaidi stands up over Versu, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zaidi postures up in Versu's guard and throws a big left but Versu blocks it.

Zaidi drops back looking for a leg! Versu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Versu manages to kick Zaidi off! Zaidi jumps back into Versu's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaidi is looking to work some ground and pound but Versu has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zaidi throwing strikes but missing.
Zaidi throwing strikes but missing.
Zaidi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Versu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaidi is looking to work some ground and pound but Versu has wrist control.
Versu wants to stand up but Zaidi is controlling him.
Zaidi throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zaidi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zaidi throwing strikes from guard but Versu blocks nicely.
Zaidi throwing strikes but missing.
Zaidi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Versu wants to stand but Zaidi is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zaidi shoots in but no luck this time.

Zaidi gets a takedown into half guard.
Versu wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaidi misses with a head shot. Versu uses the momentum to regain guard.
Zaidi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Versu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Versu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaidi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Versu's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zaidi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Versu keeping full guard, as Zaidi tries to pass.
Zaidi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zaidi works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Zaidi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zaidi lands a nice short elbow.
Zaidi throws a strike but Versu avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Versu wants to get back to his feet but Zaidi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zaidi throws an elbow that misses. Versu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zaidi's guard. Nice move by Versu!

Zaidi working for a triangle but Versu defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaidi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohsin Zaidi dominated that round.
That's time! Versu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zaidi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zaidi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zaidi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Versu but Versu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zaidi misses with a takedown attempt - Versu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Geo Versu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohsin Zaidi.

Zaidi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Versu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zaidi.
Zaidi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Versu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaidi looking to pass the guard.
Zaidi is working Versu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zaidi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zaidi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Versu's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaidi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zaidi throws an elbow that misses. Versu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zaidi's guard. Nice move by Versu!

Versu preventing the sweep.

Zaidi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zaidi is on top in guard.

Zaidi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zaidi throwing strikes but missing.
Zaidi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaidi is in close to Versu's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zaidi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zaidi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zaidi throws a big right hand that misses.
Zaidi is working Versu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zaidi won't allow Versu to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaidi throws a strike but Versu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zaidi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Zaidi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Versu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zaidi.
Zaidi gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zaidi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Zaidi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Versu wants to stand but Zaidi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Versu preventing the sweep.

Zaidi is looking for a triangle but Versu pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Zaidi throws his legs up looking for a submission but Versu uses it to pass to side control.
Zaidi is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Versu is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Zaidi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zaidi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zaidi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Versu stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Versu slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaidi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
An inside leg kick lands from Zaidi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mohsin Zaidi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Zaidi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Versu pushes Zaidi off but Zaidi dives into side control.
Zaidi looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Versu is avoiding damage well.
Mohsin Zaidi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zaidi is trying to ground and pound but Versu uses the momentary lack of control by Zaidi to regain half guard.
Zaidi thows a huge punch but Versu dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaidi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Versu defending well though.
Zaidi throwing shots but Versu is blocking nicely.
Versu keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zaidi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaidi misses with a head shot. Versu uses the momentum to regain guard.
Zaidi throws an elbow that misses. Versu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zaidi's guard. Nice move by Versu!

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaidi looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaidi, not yet.
Zaidi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Zaidi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Versu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Versu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaidi postures up in Versu's guard and throws a big left but Versu blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaidi throwing strikes from guard but Versu blocks nicely.
Zaidi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zaidi working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Versu's head.
Zaidi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Versu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Zaidi drops back looking for a leg! Versu is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Versu manages to kick Zaidi off! Zaidi jumps back into Versu's guard.
Versu has momentary wrist control but Zaidi slips an elbow through the middle.
Zaidi lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaidi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Versu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zaidi on the ground.
Zaidi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Versu's guard.
Zaidi working the head and body with strikes.
Geo Versu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaidi slips a nice elbow through Versu's hands, connecting with Versu's forehead.
Versu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zaidi scores with a couple of nice shots.

Zaidi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Versu flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versu on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Zaidi is working for a submission of some sort.

Zaidi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mohsin Zaidi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Zaidi is looking for a kimura but Versu is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zaidi to get the leverage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaidi sitting and controlling from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohsin Zaidi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaidi 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohsin Zaidi!
Our winner, Mohsin Zaidi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
The defeated Geo Versu had this to say: 'YouShouldHaveMeKilled'.