PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad (ranked 228 p4p, 989 weight class) and Gholam Estili (ranked 28 p4p, 111 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Estili's choice of entrance music: Ready For War (Instrumental). On his way into the cage it seems that Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ferkingstad
vs
Estili

175 cm
25
156
9 - 3 - 0

174 cm
25
156
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Conviction

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gholam Estili!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferkingstad walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ferkingstad throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Estili counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Estili loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Estili trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferkingstad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Estili throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Estili's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Estili trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ferkingstad is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Ferkingstad working for a triangle but Estili defends it easily.
Estili postures up and lands a big shot to Ferkingstad's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Estili working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ferkingstad's head.
Estili postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estili postures up in Ferkingstad's guard and throws a big left but Ferkingstad blocks it.
Ferkingstad manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Estili manages to get himself to full guard.

Estili is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Estili controlling Ferkingstad's posture.
Estili wants to sweep here but Ferkingstad controlling him for the moment.
Estili wants to stand up but Ferkingstad is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Estili is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Estili is still trying to improve position.
Ferkingstad slips nicely into half guard.
Ferkingstad controlling the action here.
Estili wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Estili regains full guard. Nicely done.
Estili looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferkingstad is one step ahead there.
Ferkingstad won't allow Estili to get back to his feet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Estili holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Estili fails with the takedown.

Estili shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Estili winds up and cracks Ferkingstad with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Estili is nestled in close to Ferkingstad, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Estili seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Estili connects with a nice short shot to Ferkingstad's temple.
Nice strikes from Estili there.
Estili missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Estili lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Estili thows a huge punch but Ferkingstad dodges it nicely.
Estili takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Estili thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ferkingstad's head.
Ground and pound from Estili.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice strikes from Estili there.
Ferkingstad slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Estili throws a big right hand that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gholam Estili dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ferkingstad scores with a crisp jab that stopped Estili in his tracks.

Estili closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ferkingstad quickly recovers to half guard.
Estili throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ferkingstad to regain full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ferkingstad is on top in guard.

Ferkingstad stopping the sweep attempt from Estili.
Ferkingstad tries to free his leg and advance position but Estili is retaining full guard.
Estili looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferkingstad is one step ahead there.
Ferkingstad being controlled here momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Estili has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estili manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ferkingstad manages to get himself to full guard.

Ferkingstad working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Estili doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Estili manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Estili working some strikes from top position.
Estili working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ferkingstad's head.
Estili cracks Ferkingstad with a solid left hand.
Estili trying to control but Ferkingstad is working from the bottom.
Estili landing some decent shots from guard.
Estili trying to control but Ferkingstad is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad wants to sweep here but Estili controlling him for the moment.
Estili lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gholam Estili has got the better of the ground game so far.
Estili preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Estili throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Estili throws a big right hand that misses.
Estili keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ferkingstad's head.
Estili is looking to work some ground and pound but Ferkingstad has wrist control.

Ferkingstad has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Estili can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Estili working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Estili postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Estili stands up over Ferkingstad, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Estili working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ferkingstad's head.
Estili postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Estili lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Estili is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ferkingstad looking for a sweep. Not yet Ferkingstad, not yet.
Estili lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Estili is in close to Ferkingstad's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Estili with a nice head shot there.
Ferkingstad manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Estili manages to get himself to full guard.

Estili controlling the position.
Estili wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ferkingstad won't allow Estili to sweep him here.
Estili has Ferkingstad pulled in close to control his posture.
Estili is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ferkingstad stays in close to Estili's body and controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gholam Estili showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ferkingstad throws a body shot but no joy.
Estili fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ferkingstad appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ferkingstad connects with an inside leg kick.
Ferkingstad fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Estili.
Ferkingstad throws a body shot but no joy.
Estili is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice defenses there by Ferkingstad.
Estili throws a looping overhand right but Ferkingstad ducks down to avoid it.

Estili looking to score a takedown here. Ferkingstad is defending well but Estili drives through and ends up in Ferkingstad's guard.
Ferkingstad is trying to control the position but Estili postures up.
Estili trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferkingstad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ferkingstad looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Estili passes into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Estili connects with a nice short shot to Ferkingstad's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estili seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ferkingstad wants to improve his position but Estili is controlling well.
My spies in Doc Dannis Death Squad inform me that Estili has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Ground and pound from Estili.
Estili slips a nice elbow through Ferkingstad's hands, connecting with Ferkingstad's forehead.
Estili lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Estili scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Estili is trying to control the action in half guard but Ferkingstad is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Estili throws a strike but Ferkingstad avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Estili engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Estili throwing strikes but missing.
Ferkingstad utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Estili cracks Ferkingstad with a solid left hand.
Estili chips away with some ground and pound.
Estili lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Estili throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Estili working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Estili is working Ferkingstad over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Estili in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Estili preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ferkingstad throws a hook but Estili avoids it easily.
Ferkingstad throws a hook but Estili avoids it easily.
Ferkingstad throws a body kick that misses

and Estili counters with a takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Estili scores with a couple of short elbows.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Estili scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Estili's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ferkingstad is looking for a sweep.
Estili lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Estili lands a few punches from side control.
Estili lands a few punches from side control.
Estili is looking to take a break and control but Ferkingstad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gholam Estili is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Estili happy to just control the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad is looking for a sweep.
Ferkingstad manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Estili trying to control the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferkingstad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gholam Estili comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Estili 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Gholam Estili!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Gholam Estili!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Gholam Estili!

Gholam Estili wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Gholam Estili thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.