PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fatih Emir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Emir might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to i kill people. Durham has chosen Who Dat - J.Cole as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fatih Emir is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Emir
vs
Durham

185 cm
25
190 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

189 cm
23
200 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fatih Emir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Durham!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Mauricio Rocha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durham throws a right and a left that Emir avoids nicely.
Emir takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Emir tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Durham swivels and escapes.
Emir takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fatih Emir seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Durham scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Durham is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Emir.
Emir shoots in for a double leg but Durham sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emir is defended easily by Durham.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fatih Emir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Durham fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Durham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Durham wants it to stay on the feet.
Emir shoots in for a double leg but Durham sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Durham slaps away a takedown attempt from Emir, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Emir shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Durham sprawls well. Durham wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Emir gets slowly back to his feet.
Durham lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Durham coming out on top.
Emir fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Emir fails with a takedown attempt.
Durham throws a series of strikes that have Emir backpedaling.
Durham leaves Emir with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Durham slaps away a takedown attempt from Emir, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Emir is breathing heavily.
Durham scores with a spinning back kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Durham.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Durham.
Durham lands with a nice body punch.
Durham scores with a one two! Emir had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Fatih Emir has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Durham misses.
Emir shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Durham defends it nicely.
A cross from Durham lands.
Durham bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Emir's head.
Durham connects with a right hand. Emir shakes it off.
Emir has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Durham finds it's way round the side to connect with Emir's head.
Nice shot lands for Durham.
Emir on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Durham lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emir takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Emir on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Durham uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Durham lands with a right hand.
Durham connects with a single shot there.
Durham misses with a series of wild punches.
A nice combination there by Durham.
Durham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Durham wants it to stay on the feet.
Durham scores with a body shot.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Emir. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Durham lands the left hand.
Durham is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Emir had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Durham dips to his left and cracks Emir with an uppercut!
Emir shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Durham but Durham pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Durham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emir has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Durham finds it's way round the side to connect with Emir's head.
Durham swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Durham lands a jab.
Durham scores with the left hand. Emir knows he should have avoided that one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emir is defended easily by Durham.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Durham, right into the meat.
Durham tests Emir's chin there with a solid looking shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A clash of legs there as Emir blocks the low kick.
Durham lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Durham dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fatih Emir's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Durham tried to score with a low kick but Emir checks it.
Emir fails with a takedown attempt.
Emir takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Durham stuffs the takedown.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Emir might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Durham fails to land with a series of punches.
Emir dives in and grabs Durham's left leg, looking for a takedown. Durham pushes down on Emir's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fatih Emir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Durham lands a nice hook to Emir's body. Emir takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Durham smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Durham leaves Emir with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Michael Durham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Durham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Emir will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Durham lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Durham throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Emir takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Durham throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A nice combination there by Durham.
Durham with a nice cross.
Durham looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emir is trying hard to land a takedown here. Durham sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Durham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Donk. Durham catches Emir right on the button with a cross.
Durham moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Durham rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emir moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Durham lands the left hand.
Durham connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Durham throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Fatih Emir is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emir misses with a kick to the body.
Michael Durham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Durham moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Emir looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Durham rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emir moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice combination there by Durham.
Durham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Emir shoots in and drives through. Durham sprawls well.
Durham connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Durham misses with a low kick.
Durham scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Durham cracks Emir with a right hand to the side of the head.
Emir throws a hook but Durham avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Durham throws a right hand that Emir ducks under and follows up with a left that Emir also avoids with ease.
Durham displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Emir.
Durham fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Emir looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd cheers as Durham lands an impressive looking overhand right. Emir doesn't seem phased though.
Durham is working the combinations to good effect here.
Emir swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Durham counter with a right hand.
Durham throws a good cross that connects.
Durham cracks Emir with an open hand slap.
Emir shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Durham swinging wildly here.
Emir shoots and misses
and Durham counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Durham lands a two punch combo.
Durham throws the kick towards the body but Emir avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Durham has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Durham scores with a punch to the head.
Emir shoots and misses
and Emir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Durham fails to land with a series of punches.
Durham lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Durham jabs at Emir's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A thudding body kick lands there by Durham!
Emir tries for a takedown but Durham circles away easily
and Durham cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Durham buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Durham cracks Emir with a right hand to the side of the head.
Emir takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Emir tries for a takedown but Durham circles away easily
and Durham counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Durham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fatih Emir's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Durham slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Emir fails with the takedown
and Durham counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Emir shoots and misses
enabling Durham to counter with a crisp jab.
Durham fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Good shot there by Durham.
Emir shoots and misses
and Durham counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fatih Emir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Durham.
Durham lands with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Durham lands a jab.
Durham thuds a left hand into Emir's body.
Durham lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Durham catches Emir right on the button with a cross.
Durham fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Durham jabs at Emir's body.
Emir with a poor takedown
and Durham cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Durham lands a nice looking body shot.
Emir takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Durham works over Emir's head and body with a nice combination.
Durham connects with a looping right hand.
Emir avoids the head kick by Durham.
A nice combination there by Durham.
Emir takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Durham throws a nice looking combination but Emir bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Durham throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Durham lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emir darts in trying to clinch
and Durham counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A punch lands to the side of Emir 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Durham tries to bum rush Emir with a series of wild strikes but Emir uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Emir misses with a takedown attempt
and Durham counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Durham!
Durham lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Durham throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emir.
Emir tries for a takedown but Durham circles away easily
and Durham makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Durham lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Durham scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Durham lands.
Durham bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Emir's head backwards.
Durham goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Emir walks into a straight right hand from Durham.
Nice uppercut there from Durham.
Emir shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Durham makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Durham connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jab from Durham.
Durham scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Emir tries for a takedown but Durham circles away easily
and Durham counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Durham slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emir avoids a punch combination nicely.
Durham goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Emir with a lazy takedown attempt
and Durham counters with a straight right hand.
Durham lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Durham chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice shot lands for Durham.
Durham works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Durham scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Durham uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Emir has time to react.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Durham does it's job there.
Emir tries for a takedown but Durham circles away easily
and Durham counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Durham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Durham 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 24:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 24:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Durham!