PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tariq Ziyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Pollock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ziyad
vs
Pollock

188 cm
30
191 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

179 cm
29
194 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing

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 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tariq Ziyad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jackson Pollock!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Lou da Vinci and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziyad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ziyad tries to score with a low kick but Pollock moves his leg out of the way.
Pollock throws a lazy right hand but Ziyad sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jackson Pollock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziyad connects with an inside leg kick.
Pollock fails with a takedown attempt.
Pollock connects with the punch.
Pollock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ziyad moves away.
Pollock throws a low kick but Ziyad avoids it.
Pollock lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ziyad slips a straight right by Pollock.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pollock on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pollock misses with a looping left.
A leg kick checked by Ziyad.
Pollock sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Pollock misses with a wild combination.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ziyad. That's going to slow Pollock down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pollock blocks the body kick.
Pollock throws a jab but it's blocked by Ziyad.
Pollock fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ziyad is out of range.
Pollock throws a chopping leg kick but Ziyad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ziyad throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ziyad throws a body kick that misses.
Pollock throws a leg kick
and Ziyad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Pollock's knee momentarily.
Ziyad blocks a low kick nicely.
Pollock misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pollock comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ziyad takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ziyad shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ziyad moves away from the strike by Pollock.
Ziyad moves out of range as Pollock strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Pollock has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ziyad scores with a head kick. Pollock tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ziyad lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ziyad throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ziyad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Ziyad decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Ziyad is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pollock is just riding it out for now. Ziyad eventually gives up the hold.
Pollock won't allow Ziyad to pass to mount.

Ziyad seems to be looking for submissions.
Ziyad prevents Pollock from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ziyad wants to work for an arm triangle but Pollock is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pollock controlling the position for now.

Ziyad is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pollock doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ziyad.
Pollock regains full guard. Nicely done.
Pollock is trying to keep Ziyad in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pollock tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ziyad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ziyad got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pollock has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ziyad has managed to get both his arms back between Pollock's legs - danger averted.
Ziyad controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ziyad postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ziyad looking to pass the guard.
Ziyad with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pollock is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pollock lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ziyad!
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!
Pollock postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ziyad looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jackson Pollock will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ziyad uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pollock.
Ziyad misses with a kick to the body.
A low kick from Pollock misses
and Ziyad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Pollock's knee momentarily.
Ziyad keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Pollock slaps away a takedown attempt from Ziyad, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ziyad blocks a jab.
Ziyad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pollock defends it nicely.
Pollock stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ziyad moves out of range as Pollock throws a body kick.
Pollock cracks the inside of Ziyad's front leg.
Ziyad fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tariq Ziyad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ziyad shoots for a takedown but Pollock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pollock swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pollock attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ziyad throws a leg kick but Pollock sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Pollock moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Ziyad goes down! Can Pollock finish him!?

Ziyad is rocked!

It looks like Tariq Ziyad has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ziyad is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Oh Ziyad is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pollock tries to free his leg and advance position but Ziyad is retaining full guard.
Pollock postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ziyad seems to have got his legs back now.
Pollock postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pollock postures up in Ziyad's guard and throws a big left but Ziyad blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pollock throws an elbow that misses. Ziyad uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pollock's guard. Nice move by Ziyad!

Ziyad is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Pollock throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ziyad drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pollock looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pollock looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pollock!
Pollock connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ziyad some visible discomfort.
Pollock working the ground and pound but Ziyad is defending the strikes.
Pollock working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pollock in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Ziyad taking a bit of punishment here - Pollock scoring with strikes.
Ziyad manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ziyad wants to take a breather but Pollock is having none of it.
Pollock avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ziyad.
Pollock has hold of Ziyad's hands but Ziyad slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pollock is trying to control but can't.
Ziyad landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ziyad is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pollock has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ziyad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ziyad has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pollock is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ziyad scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pollock trying to control but Ziyad postures up.
Pollock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pollock is positioning himself well to prevent Ziyad advancing to mount.
Pollock gets back to full guard.
Ziyad slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pollock is trying to stand up here but Ziyad is controlling him well.
Pollock manages to get to full guard.
Ziyad throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Pollock showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tariq Ziyad's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pollock throws a poor cross that misses
and Ziyad counters with a nice kick to the body.
Pollock throws a hook to the side of Ziyad's head but Ziyad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pollock throws out a loose jab but Ziyad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pollock looks to land a body kick but Ziyad moved away.
A clash of legs there as Pollock blocks the low kick.
Pollock looks to land a right hand but Ziyad moved out of range.
Pollock misses with a low kick.
Pollock throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pollock throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Pollock throws a series of strikes that have Ziyad backpedaling.
Pollock shoots in looking for a takedown but Ziyad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pollock's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ziyad.
Pollock shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pollock gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ziyad counters with an outside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Ziyad.
Pollock takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pollock shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ziyad sprawls well. Ziyad wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pollock gets slowly back to his feet.
Tariq Ziyad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Pollock.
A low kick from Pollock misses
and Ziyad makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pollock really felt that one!
Pollock blocks a head kick by Ziyad.
Pollock on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ziyad throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ziyad cracks the inside of Pollock's front leg.
Ziyad connects with a solid leg kick.
Ziyad lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A head kick from Ziyad lands but Pollock takes it in his stride.
Ziyad ducks under a wild hook from Pollock.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ziyad is looking to chop away at Pollock's legs.
Pollock is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ziyad sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Pollock misses with a takedown
and Ziyad makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad lands a leg kick that knocks Pollock off balance momentarily.
Ziyad throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ziyad plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ziyad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Pollock throws a low kick but Ziyad avoids it.
Pollock misses the jab.
Jackson Pollock seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pollock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ziyad. That's going to slow Pollock down.
Pollock shoots in for a takedown but Ziyad shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ziyad scores with a push kick.
Ziyad throws a front kick that sends Pollock stumbling back into the cage.
Pollock stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pollock wants it to stay on the feet.
Pollock loads up on a big right hand but Ziyad slips the punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ziyad, right into the meat.
Tariq Ziyad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pollock avoids a kick to the body.
Pollock shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ziyad defends it nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ziyad. That's going to slow Pollock down.
Pollock has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ziyad.
Ziyad takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Pollock connects with a jab.
Ziyad takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A solid body kick from Ziyad.
Pollock's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ziyad connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ziyad scores with a spinning back kick!
Pollock has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ziyad.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pollock is looking to chop away at Ziyad's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad cracks the inside of Pollock's front leg.
Ziyad feints and then cracks Pollock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Pollock down.
Ziyad throws a front kick that sends Pollock stumbling back into the cage.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ziyad.
Ziyad shoots in for a takedown but Pollock shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ziyad lands a leg kick that knocks Pollock off balance momentarily.
Some bone on bone action there as Pollock checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ziyad avoids the body shot from Pollock.
Pollock misses with a wild body shot.
Ziyad ducks under a wild hook from Pollock.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ziyad checks a leg kick.
Whack! Ziyad lands a heavy head kick that drops Pollock. The ref tackles Ziyad to stop the fight - a great save by the referee because Pollock was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Head Kick). Tariq Ziyad!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Tariq Ziyad waved his t-shirt featuring Rōnin's logo in front of the cameras.