PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Netaniahy (ranked 1569 p4p, 1487 weight class) and Mounir Ayari (ranked 209 p4p, 196 weight class). Ayari has chosen Yallah Rouh - Samira Said as his entrance music. Ben Netaniahy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Netaniahy
vs
Ayari

177 cm
25
180
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
170
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Primal
Phoenix Island

Primal
Island clothing lite

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Netaniahy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mounir Ayari!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Netaniahy on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ayari stuns Netaniahy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ayari is looking to clinch but Netaniahy is avoiding it.

Ayari closes the distance and pushes Netaniahy back into the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Netaniahy.
Netaniahy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Netaniahy prevents a body shot from Ayari.
Netaniahy blocks an uppercut.
Ayari swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Netaniahy manages to break the clinch.

Ayari darts in and clinches Netaniahy up against the cage.
Netaniahy blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ayari scores with a hook to the body.
Netaniahy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Netaniahy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Netaniahy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ayari rushes Netaniahy and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Ayari is leaning against Netaniahy and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayari working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ayari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Netaniahy's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ayari has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Netaniahy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ayari has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Netaniahy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A bit of stalling here from Netaniahy.
Netaniahy is pressed up against the cage. Ayari has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Netaniahy down to the mat. Netaniahy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ben Netaniahy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mounir Ayari.
Ayari shoots in for a takedown but Netaniahy shows good takedown defense.
A little feinted left hand from Netaniahy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ayari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ayari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Netaniahy at a distance.
Netaniahy drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ayari wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ayari has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Netaniahy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ayari tries to clinch there but Netaniahy circles away.
A left lands for Ayari.
Netaniahy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ayari.
A little feinted left hand from Netaniahy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ayari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Netaniahy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
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!
Netaniahy takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ayari doesn't manage to clinch there - Netaniahy circles away.
It looked like Netaniahy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ayari tries to clinch
and Ayari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ayari lands a nice shot to the body.
Ayari takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ayari fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ayari closes the distance and clinches.
Netaniahy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ayari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ayari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Netaniahy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ayari is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Netaniahy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ayari swings wildly with an uppercut but Netaniahy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ayari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ayari can't find room to land a body shot as Netaniahy controls the action.
Ayari digs a right hand underneath Netaniahy's ribcage. Netaniahy let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Netaniahy prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ayari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ayari is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Netaniahy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ayari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Netaniahy stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy tries to circle away but Ayari has him pinned against the cage.
Ayari is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Netaniahy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Netaniahy misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Ayari.
Netaniahy trying to control the position but instead, Ayari has worked for underhooks and has pushed Netaniahy into the cage.
Netaniahy blocks a body shot from Ayari.

Netaniahy breaks from the clinch.
Ayari tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Netaniahy counter with a right hand.
Ayari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Netaniahy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Netaniahy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ayari.
Ayari avoids the head kick by Netaniahy.
Ayari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ayari clinches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mounir Ayari dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ayari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Netaniahy doesn't seem bothered though.
A right-left combo lands from Ayari.
Netaniahy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Ayari has managed to clinch.
Netaniahy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ayari is keeping busy.
Ayari wants a takedown.
A short uppercut from Ayari.
Netaniahy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ayari lands a right hand.
Ayari changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Netaniahy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ayari throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Netaniahy.
Netaniahy went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ayari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Netaniahy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ayari throws a body shot but no joy.
A little feinted left hand from Netaniahy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Netaniahy keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Netaniahy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Netaniahy throws a jab when Ayari was well out of range.
A slow jab from Netaniahy misses its intended target.
Ayari tries to counter with a clinch but Netaniahy shakes him off and moves away.
Good exchange - Ayari coming out on top.
Netaniahy looks to land a right hand but Ayari moved out of range.
Netaniahy sets himself, and Ayari steps forward looking for the clinch! Netaniahy avoids it this time.
Ayari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Netaniahy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Netaniahy lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Netaniahy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Netaniahy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ayari wants to clinch up but Netaniahy keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Netaniahy on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mounir Ayari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ayari fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Netaniahy on the side of the head.
Netaniahy scores with a head kick. Ayari tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Mounir Ayari has been cut.

Ayari rushes Netaniahy and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ayari's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Netaniahy.
Netaniahy misses with a punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Netaniahy is pushing Ayari up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Netaniahy effectively controlling the action here.
Ayari can't find room to land a body shot as Netaniahy controls the action.
Netaniahy controlling the action here for a moment.
Ayari blocks a body shot from Netaniahy.
Ayari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Netaniahy's elbow.
Netaniahy misses with the head strike.
Ayari goes for a takedown in the clinch but Netaniahy prevents it.
Ben Netaniahy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mounir Ayari.
Ayari swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ayari drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Netaniahy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ayari throws a head punch that misses.
Netaniahy taking a breather.
Ayari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Netaniahy tries a body shot but Ayari blocks it.
Netaniahy can't find room to land a body shot as Ayari controls the action.
Ayari misses with a punch on the inside.
Netaniahy misses with a punch on the inside.
Ayari scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Netaniahy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ayari has closed the distance and engaged Netaniahy in a clinch.
Ayari throws a head punch that misses.
Netaniahy misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ayari - that landed with a thud.
Ayari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Netaniahy breaks from the clinch.
Ayari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Netaniahy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Netaniahy swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Ayari moves into range and clinches up with Netaniahy.
Ayari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ayari has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Netaniahy after a bit of a struggle.
The referee is keeping an eye on Netaniahy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mounir Ayari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Netaniahy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ayari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Netaniahy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ayari is keeping busy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ayari.
Ayari digs a right hand into Netaniahy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Netaniahy's gas tank.
Ayari drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Netaniahy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ayari drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

No joy there for Ayari, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Netaniahy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Netaniahy slips under a jab from Ayari.
Ayari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ayari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Netaniahy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ayari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Netaniahy is fending him off so far but Ayari persists. Nope, Netaniahy circles away and we're back to standing.
Netaniahy throwing a counter right hand but Ayari manages to avoid it.
Ayari throws a good cross that connects.
Netaniahy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ayari.
Netaniahy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ayari moves into the clinch.
Ayari blocking some punches.
Ayari scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ayari misses with an elbow strike.
Ayari wants a takedown but no success here.
Ben Netaniahy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mounir Ayari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Netaniahy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Netaniahy working hard to break the clinch.
Ayari is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Netaniahy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Netaniahy.
Ayari throws a punch but it's blocked by Netaniahy.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ayari scores with a nice hook to the head.
Netaniahy blocks an uppercut.
Netaniahy working aggressively here.
Ayari swings wildly with an uppercut but Netaniahy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Netaniahy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Netaniahy looking to slow down the pace here.
Netaniahy is trying to break the clinch but Ayari is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ayari misses with a punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Netaniahy misses with a body punch.
Ayari has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ayari blocks a body shot from Netaniahy.
Ayari tries to work over Netaniahy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Netaniahy fails to land.
Ayari tries a body shot but Netaniahy blocks it.
Netaniahy blocks a body shot from Ayari.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ayari as Netaniahy tries to tie him up.
Netaniahy throws a head punch that misses.
Ayari stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ayari swings wildly with an uppercut but Netaniahy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ayari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ayari gets through Netaniahy's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Netaniahy presses Ayari against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy has a couple of punches blocked by Ayari.
Ayari scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nice body punch from Ayari.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Netaniahy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ayari can't get the takedown.
Ayari lands a hook that snaps the head of Netaniahy backwards.
Ayari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ayari works on Netaniahy's body with a couple of short punches.
Ayari lands a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Ayari.
Ayari works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ayari misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Ayari.
A left hand lands to the body for Ayari.
Ayari can't get the takedown.
Netaniahy struggles to land a body shot inside as Ayari controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ayari is working for takedown but Netaniahy is calmly controlling the position for now.

Ayari has picked Netaniahy up - he's going for a ride! Ayari dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ayari works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ayari sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Netaniahy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ayari on the ground.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mounir Ayari really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mounir Ayari's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ayari closes the distance and pushes Netaniahy back into the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Ayari.
Netaniahy is trying to break the clinch but Ayari is controlling him.
Netaniahy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ayari has a couple of punches blocked by Netaniahy.
Netaniahy working aggressively here.
A frustrated look appears on Netaniahy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Netaniahy lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ayari lands a shot to the body.
Netaniahy prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ayari cracks Netaniahy with a nice body shot.
Ayari is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Netaniahy is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ayari can't get the takedown.
Ayari pushes Netaniahy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ayari blocking some punches.
Netaniahy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ayari misses with a knee strike.
Netaniahy is trying to break the clinch but Ayari is controlling him.
Ayari tries to work over Netaniahy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ayari swings wildly with an uppercut but Netaniahy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ayari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Netaniahy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Netaniahy blocking some punches.
Netaniahy wants to break free but Ayari has control.
Ayari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ayari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Netaniahy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ayari lands a hook that snaps the head of Netaniahy backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy lands an uppercut.
Netaniahy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ayari misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Netaniahy manages to break the clinch.
Ayari tries to clinch up.
Ayari wants to clinch up but Netaniahy keeps it at a distance.
Ayari blocks a jab.
Mounir Ayari seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ayari moves into the clinch.
Netaniahy prevents a body shot from Ayari.
Netaniahy trying to control the position but instead, Ayari has worked for underhooks and has pushed Netaniahy into the cage.
Netaniahy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Netaniahy blocks a body shot from Ayari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Netaniahy.
Ayari changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Netaniahy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ben Netaniahy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mounir Ayari.
Netaniahy lands with a hook. Ayari tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ayari slips under a jab.
Ben Netaniahy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ayari takes the fight into the clinch.
Netaniahy misses with the head strike.
Ayari tries for a takedown but Netaniahy manages to get underhooks.
Ayari is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Netaniahy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Netaniahy tries to throw a body punch but Ayari avoids it by throwing Netaniahy back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Netaniahy.
Netaniahy has had enough of the clinch but Ayari keeps him there for the moment.
Ayari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ayari is looking for a takedown.
Ayari misses with some punches.
Ayari swings wildly with an uppercut but Netaniahy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ayari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ayari tries a knee to the head but Netaniahy blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Netaniahy is trying to break free.
Ayari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ayari has Netaniahy pressed against the cage, preventing Netaniahy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mounir Ayari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mounir Ayari's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ayari instigates a clinch.
Ayari blocking some punches.
Ayari tries a knee to the head but Netaniahy blocks it.

Netaniahy manages to break the clinch.
Ayari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Netaniahy takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ayari throws a right and a left that both miss.
Netaniahy was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sloppy strikes from Netaniahy. Those never looked like landing.
Netaniahy lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ayari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ayari shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Netaniahy defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Netaniahy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Netaniahy sets himself, and Ayari steps forward looking for the clinch! Netaniahy avoids it this time.
Ayari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Netaniahy manages to avoid it.
Netaniahy is looking to counter with head kicks.

Ayari moves into range and clinches up with Netaniahy.
Ayari stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Netaniahy is stalling here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ayari.
Netaniahy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ayari has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Netaniahy.
Ayari letting Netaniahy take a breather here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Netaniahy for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Netaniahy throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy working aggressively here.
Ayari goes for a takedown attempt but Netaniahy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Ayari moves into the clinch.
Ayari pushes Netaniahy back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ayari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ayari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ayari has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Netaniahy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ben Netaniahy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mounir Ayari.

Netaniahy breaks from the clinch.
Netaniahy on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ayari tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ayari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Netaniahy.

Ayari rushes Netaniahy and presses him up against the cage.
Ayari has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Netaniahy after a bit of a struggle.
Ayari lands a left hand that snaps the head of Netaniahy backwards.

Netaniahy manages to break the clinch.
Ayari is looking to clinch.
Mounir Ayari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice body punch from Ayari.
Ayari throws a body shot but no joy.
Netaniahy appears to be looking for a big counter.

Ayari moves into range and clinches up with Netaniahy.
Netaniahy tries a body shot but Ayari blocks it.
Netaniahy working hard to break the clinch.
Netaniahy is pushing Ayari up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Netaniahy is trying to push Ayari away but Ayari has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Netaniahy can't find room to land a body shot as Ayari controls the action.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Netaniahy.
Netaniahy tries to work over Ayari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Netaniahy misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Netaniahy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ayari lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mounir Ayari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ayari has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mounir Ayari!
Mounir Ayari is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Mounir Ayari thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.