PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Long Hung Dong (ranked 212 p4p, 190 weight class) and Ri Zaadha (ranked 38 p4p, 33 weight class). Zaadha is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: On A Roll. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dong
vs
Zaadha

188 cm
32
175
17 - 9 - 0

189 cm
35
177
30 - 18 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
Urban Fighter

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Long Hung Dong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ri Zaadha!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaadha drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zaadha slips a straight right by Dong.
Zaadha throws a body shot but no joy.
Dong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zaadha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dong.
Zaadha takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Dong throws a body kick that misses
and Zaadha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dong cracks Zaadha with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dong lands a jab to Zaadha's midsection.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dong throws an overhand right that lands on Zaadha's shoulder, as Zaadha tries to avoid the shot.
Zaadha looks to throw the jab but Dong is out of range.
Zaadha throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zaadha on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaadha takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zaadha scores with a hook.
Zaadha looks to score with a jab to the body but Dong is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaadha. Dong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dong misses the shot to the body.
A nice leg kick from Dong, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dong scores with a nice strike.
Zaadha cracks Dong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaadha throws a jab when Dong was well out of range.
Zaadha misses the shot to the body.
Zaadha swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dong throws a leg kick which misses Zaadha's front leg but catches the back leg as Zaadha tries to avoid it.
Zaadha is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dong.
Dong walks into a stiff left hand from Zaadha.
A low kick lands for Dong.

Zaadha moves into range and clinches up with Dong.
Zaadha stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Dong.
I was talking to Dong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Zaadha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaadha misses with a body punch.
Zaadha blocks a body shot from Dong.
Dong lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaadha misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dong.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zaadha.

Dong drags the fight down to the ground.

Dong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zaadha defends it easily.
Zaadha must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zaadha wants to stand but Dong is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dong working for a triangle but Zaadha defends it easily.
Zaadha controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Dong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zaadha defends it easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha slips under a jab.
Zaadha throws a leg kick but Dong moved away.
Dong appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A slow jab from Zaadha misses its intended target.
Dong fires out a quick counter leg kick but Zaadha just manages to avoid it.
Zaadha throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zaadha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dong.
Dong loads up on a big right hand but Zaadha slips the punch.
Decent striking displayed by Dong there.
Zaadha scores with a nice head shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Dong.
Dong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dong jabs Zaadha right on the nose. Zaadha blinks but takes it well.
Dong scores with a sloppy right hand. Zaadha should have avoided that one.
Dong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zaadha throws the left hand but Dong avoids the punch easily.
Zaadha chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dong can pounce on him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaadha tries to clinch there but Dong circles away.
Dong fires out a quick counter leg kick but Zaadha just manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dong slips under a jab from Zaadha.

Zaadha drives through and clinches with Dong against the cage.
Zaadha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dong backwards.

Zaadha breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zaadha misses with a straight right.
Zaadha loads up on a big right hand but Dong slips the punch.
Dong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Dong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zaadha appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zaadha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dong.
Zaadha lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A big left from Dong misses.
Some wild striking there from Dong.
Zaadha throws a counter combo.
Dong misses with a body shot.
Zaadha pivots, looking for a leg kick but Dong is out of range and Zaadha settles back down.
Dong lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaadha moves out of range of the body kick.
Zaadha doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Dong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaadha misses with a looping right.
Dong is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Dong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaadha.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Long Hung Dong will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dong scores with a hook to the body. Zaadha takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dong thows a left - swing and a miss!
A little jabbing left from Zaadha on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zaadha looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaadha.
Dong tried to counter with a leg kick but Zaadha avoided it.
Dong lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Dong attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Dong slips a straight right by Zaadha.
Nice jab there from Dong.
Zaadha looks for the body kick but Dong saw that one coming.
Dong blocks a low kick nicely.
Zaadha showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dong.
Dong misses with an uppercut. Zaadha saw that one coming.
Dong throws the kick towards the body but Zaadha avoids it.
Long Hung Dong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong scoring well with a low kick there.
Zaadha on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zaadha fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Dong is out of range.
As Zaadha backs away, Dong returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zaadha throws a hook but Dong blocks it.
Dong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zaadha can do to turn this around?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaadha slips a jab from Dong.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong punishes Zaadha's body with a nice straight punch.
Zaadha scores with a jab to the head.
Zaadha's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zaadha tries to clinch but Dong moves out of range.
Dong lands with a kick to the ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dong.
Dong thuds his right hand into Zaadha's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dong looks to land a body kick but Zaadha moved away.
Dong takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zaadha misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice defenses there by Dong.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dong.
Zaadha throws a shot from downtown. Dong moves away and avoids it.
Zaadha slips a jab from Dong.
Zaadha slips a straight right by Dong.
It seemed like Zaadha was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Zaadha clinches up with Dong and pushes him back against the cage.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaadha managing to block the knees to the body from Dong.
Zaadha misses with some punches.
Zaadha struggles to land a body shot inside as Dong controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dong pushes Zaadha back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Dong takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ri Zaadha seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Still in the clinch, Zaadha scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zaadha misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Dong.
Dong working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dong.
Zaadha misses with a body punch.
Zaadha lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dong backwards.
Zaadha is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Zaadha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dong.
Zaadha misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zaadha tries to throw a body punch but Dong avoids it by throwing Zaadha back against the cage.
Dong working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hand to the body from Dong.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dong lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zaadha backwards.
Zaadha working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zaadha trying to stall but Dong improves his position.
Zaadha blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Dong.
Zaadha tries to work over Dong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaadha.
A right handed body shot lands from Zaadha.
Dong is trying to pull guard but Zaadha has him pressed against the cage.
Dong misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaadha misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zaadha blocks a body shot from Dong.
Zaadha throws a punch but it's blocked by Dong.
Dong misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dong.
Dong misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dong backwards.
Dong has a couple of punches blocked by Zaadha.
Dong pushes Zaadha back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dong works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaadha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dong backwards.
Dong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaadha wants to stall.
Dong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zaadha swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dong throws a head punch that misses.
Dong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaadha throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zaadha tries to work over Dong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zaadha working aggressively here.
Zaadha lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dong looking to stall.
Zaadha doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Long Hung Dong will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaadha takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaadha lands with an uppercut that bounces Dong off the cage and back into range.
Zaadha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zaadha takes one to the chin there.
Dong walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Zaadha ducks under a wild hook from Dong.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut.
Dong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dong staying out of range there.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut. Dong saw that one coming.
Dong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice straight punches there by Zaadha. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zaadha.
Dong swings widly with a right hand
and Zaadha counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaadha lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some bone on bone action there as Zaadha checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Dong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dong connects with a solid leg kick.
Dong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaadha follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dong. Zaadha does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Dong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong missing with a left hand there. Zaadha was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaadha looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Dong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zaadha throws a lazy right hand but Dong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
No joy there for Dong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zaadha scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Dong lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A low kick from Dong misses
and Zaadha counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dong takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Dong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaadha.
Dong swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaadha.
A good leg kick by Dong.
Dong throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zaadha stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Zaadha on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good work by Dong as he checks the leg kick.
Zaadha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaadha.
Ri Zaadha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong scores with a leg kick.
Dong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Dong throws a jab but it's blocked by Zaadha.
Dong slips a jab from Zaadha.
The crowd cheers as Dong lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zaadha doesn't seem phased though.
Zaadha on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dong. Dong obviously looking to wear him down.
Zaadha motions for Dong to come forward. Zaadha throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zaadha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dong.
Zaadha throws a leg kick but Dong moved away.
Dong lands a nice looking kick to the body. Zaadha takes a step back to recover.
Zaadha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaadha checks the leg kick nicely there.
A little jabbing left from Zaadha on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaadha.
Good exchange - Dong coming out on top.
Dong blocks a leg kick.
Zaadha fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dong throws a leg kick which misses Zaadha's front leg but catches the back leg as Zaadha tries to avoid it.
Zaadha throws a jab when Dong was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaadha. Dong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dong throws a nice looking combination but Zaadha bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dong thuds a left hand into Zaadha's body.
Dong misses the jab.
Zaadha takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Zaadha pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zaadha throws a shot from downtown. Dong moves away and avoids it.
Dong connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zaadha with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zaadha throws a body punch but Dong moves out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaadha.
As Zaadha backs away, Dong returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Dong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zaadha looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zaadha misses with a body kick.
Dong misses with a lunging right hand
and Zaadha cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zaadha is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dong.
Zaadha uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dong.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dong fakes the leg kick and cracks Zaadha in the body.
Dong swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zaadha counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dong dips to his left and cracks Zaadha with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha tries to move into range but Dong moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zaadha stuns Dong with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zaadha takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dong connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zaadha takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Dong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zaadha throws a hook but Dong avoids it easily.
Dong looks to land a left hand but Zaadha moved out of range nicely.
Zaadha throws a series of punches but Dong moves out of range.
Dong looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Zaadha throws a hook but Dong avoids it easily.
Dong swats away the attempt to clinch by Zaadha.
Dong appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaadha scoring well with a low kick there.
Dong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zaadha moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Long Hung Dong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zaadha lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Dong has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Dong and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Zaadha jabbing away but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Long Hung Dong.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Long Hung Dong!
Long Hung Dong decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.