PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shu Fang Tzeng (ranked 296 p4p, 678 weight class) and Bardia Farrokhzad (ranked 18 p4p, 41 weight class). Tzeng comes into the arena with Mantra Chant blaring out of the sound system. Farrokhzad has chosen Iranian Baloch - This Is A Catch as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Shu Fang Tzeng had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Tzeng
vs
Farrokhzad

165 cm
33
135
21 - 4 - 0

170 cm
28
148
18 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shu Fang Tzeng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bardia Farrokhzad!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Anthony Taglia and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Farrokhzad throws a poor cross that misses

and Tzeng counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tzeng.
Farrokhzad can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tzeng controls the pace.
Farrokhzad keeping moving, preventing Tzeng from controlling successfully.
Tzeng sitting in guard here, content to control.
Farrokhzad wants to sweep but no luck.
Tzeng looking to pass the guard.
Farrokhzad tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tzeng is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Farrokhzad can't keep his opponent in guard - Tzeng advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad is trying is best to control the position here.
Tzeng trying to control the action but Farrokhzad is working from the bottom.

Tzeng is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Farrokhzad has managed to free his arm - good work.

Tzeng is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Farrokhzad is controlling Tzeng's trapped leg to prevent Tzeng from advancing to side control.

Tzeng is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tzeng seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Farrokhzad is defending against the submission attempts here by Tzeng.

Tzeng is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Farrokhzad is just riding it out for now. Tzeng eventually gives up the hold.

Tzeng is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Farrokhzad defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tzeng is looking to take a break and control but Farrokhzad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Farrokhzad lands a nice looking body shot.
Tzeng takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Shu Fang Tzeng has been cut.
Farrokhzad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Farrokhzad scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A big right from Farrokhzad misses.
Tzeng tries to counter with a takedown but Farrokhzad is quick to defend against it.
Tzeng changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Farrokhzad tries to avoid it but Tzeng manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Farrokhzad to the ground. Farrokhzad escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tzeng takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tzeng walks into a left hand.
Tzeng bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Farrokhzad throws a shot from downtown. Tzeng moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Farrokhzad takes the fight into the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Farrokhzad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tzeng is trying to stall.
Farrokhzad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tzengs head.
Farrokhzad with a knee to the head.

Tzeng drags the fight down to the ground.
Farrokhzad postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Farrokhzad working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Farrokhzad throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Farrokhzad working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Farrokhzad cracks Tzeng with a solid left hand.

Tzeng escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Farrokhzad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Farrokhzad postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Farrokhzad throwing strikes from guard but Tzeng blocks nicely.
Farrokhzad scoring with punches to the head and body.

Tzeng is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bardia Farrokhzad dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shu Fang Tzeng's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tzeng moves out of range of the strikes.
Farrokhzad connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Shu Fang Tzeng's cut is getting worse.
Farrokhzad lands a head shot.
Oh Tzeng is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Tzeng fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Farrokhzad sprawls well initially but Tzeng persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Farrokhzad tries to get to full guard but Tzeng has control of the leg.
Tzeng seems to have got his legs back now.

Tzeng is working for a kimura but Farrokhzad is defending it quite comfortably.
Farrokhzad keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tzeng is trying to work for a kimura but Farrokhzad is defending well.
We've been hearing good reports from Tzeng's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad trying to get back to full guard but Tzeng takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Tzeng wants to finish this one by submission but Farrokhzad is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tzeng.
Tzeng sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tzeng can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Farrokhzad is looking to escape.

Tzeng is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Farrokhzad is surviving well by controlling Tzeng's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad regains half guard.

Tzeng is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Farrokhzad manages to get to full guard.
Farrokhzad looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Tzeng trying to control the position from guard on top but Farrokhzad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad pulls Tzeng in close to prevent any damage.
Farrokhzad's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Farrokhzad keeping moving, preventing Tzeng from controlling successfully.
Farrokhzad trying to control the position here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tzeng looking to pass the guard.

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

Farrokhzad has managed to clinch.
Tzeng tries to pull guard but Farrokhzad holds him up against the cage and eventually Tzeng drops back down to his feet.
Farrokhzad lands a body punch.
Tzeng is looking to take this one to the mat.
Farrokhzad scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Farrokhzad landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Farrokhzad lands a hook that snaps the head of Tzeng backwards.
Farrokhzad lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Farrokhzad lands a good knee to the midsection. Tzeng won't want to take too many of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A right handed body shot lands from Farrokhzad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bardia Farrokhzad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shu Fang Tzeng's cut.
That's time! Tzeng's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Farrokhzad pushes Tzeng up against the cage in a clinch.
Tzeng is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Farrokhzad gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Farrokhzad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tzeng tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Farrokhzad lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Farrokhzad throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tzengs head.
Farrokhzad lands a nice uppercut.
Farrokhzad presses Tzeng against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Farrokhzad lands a nice knee to the body.
Farrokhzad lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tzeng backwards.
Farrokhzad is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tzeng is trying to pull guard but Farrokhzad has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shu Fang Tzeng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Farrokhzad unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees to the body from Farrokhzad.
A short uppercut from Farrokhzad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tzeng takes a knee right on the jaw!
Farrokhzad is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Farrokhzad landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tzeng's elbow.
A right handed body shot lands from Farrokhzad.
Tzeng fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tzeng's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Farrokhzad scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Farrokhzad has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short uppercut from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad lands a knee to the body.
Farrokhzad lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Farrokhzad scores with a knee to the head.
Farrokhzad lands an uppercut.

Tzeng pulls guard successfully.
Farrokhzad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tzeng's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tzeng is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Farrokhzad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tzeng's head.
Farrokhzad lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Farrokhzad working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tzeng's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Tzeng covers up, he's hurt! Farrokhzad keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Farrokhzad and the ref steps in to end the fight! Farrokhzad can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bardia Farrokhzad!
Bardia Farrokhzad thanked the fans post fight for their support.