PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ebyn Dall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Zhivago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dall comes to the cage accompanied by Under the Blood. Zhivago is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cold as Ice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dall
vs
Zhivago

175 cm
26
155 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

172 cm
26
165 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Amped Performance

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ebyn Dall!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Boris Zhivago!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dall takes a swing at Zhivago's ribcage but misses.
Dall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dall goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dall looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dall.
Zhivago looks to land a left hand but Dall moved out of range nicely.
Dall walks into a stiff left hand from Zhivago.
Zhivago pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zhivago takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dall tries to land a leg kick but Zhivago saw it coming and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dall throws a good cross that connects.
Zhivago tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dall was well out of range. Poor timing from Zhivago.
Zhivago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It seemed like Zhivago was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dall tries for a takedown but Zhivago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhivago dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhivago looks to clinch
and Dall counters with a right hand to the body.
Dall scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zhivago moves out of range as Dall strikes.
A shot to the body from Dall misses
and Dall takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dall connects with a body shot.
Dall connects with the punch.
Dall tests Zhivago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dall fails to land with a series of punches.
Ebyn Dall seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dall throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Zhivago counters with a straight right hand.
Dall loads up on a big right hand but Zhivago slips the punch.
Zhivago feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall blocks the body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zhivago, as that shot connected.
Zhivago lands a nice hook to Dall's body. Dall takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zhivago slips a jab from Dall.
Zhivago avoids the head kick by Dall.
Dall takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Dall goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zhivago swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dall counters with an outside leg kick.
That kick from Dall tenderised Zhivago's leg. Zhivago is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dall scores with a leg kick.
Dall fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zhivago.
Dall fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhivago manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dall takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dall throws a looping overhand right but Zhivago ducks down to avoid it.
Zhivago throws the kick towards the body but Dall avoids it.
Dall lands a leg kick that knocks Zhivago off balance momentarily.
Dall scores with a push kick.
A big left from Zhivago misses.
Zhivago throws a shot from downtown. Dall moves away and avoids it.
Dall scores with a kick to the body.
Zhivago tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dall bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Dall connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Dall connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall swings widly with a right hand
and Zhivago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dall shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Dall was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zhivago is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zhivago is trying to control but can't.
Zhivago tries to roll over but Dall keeps him under control.
Zhivago is pressing down on Dall's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Dall trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhivago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dall advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zhivago swings for the body but Dall moves out of range.
Dall lands a lovely overhand right.
Dall lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dall throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Dall misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zhivago counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ebyn Dall is winning the standup battle so far.
Dall falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dall takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Dall throws a body punch but Zhivago moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dall doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zhivago counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dall slips under a jab from Zhivago.
Zhivago scores with the left hand. Dall knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dall takes a swing at Zhivago's ribcage but misses.
Zhivago throws out a counter right but Dall avoids it with no problem.
Dall jabs at Zhivago's body.
Dall wants to land a leg kick but Zhivago is out of range.
Zhivago looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A combination from Zhivago does no damage.
Dall swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Dall throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhivago throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dall.
Zhivago feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dall's calf.
Dall scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Dall fails with a takedown attempt.
Zhivago plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall lands with a good body shot.
Dall throws a shot from downtown. Zhivago moves away and avoids it.
Zhivago looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zhivago on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dall misses with a two punch combination.
Zhivago looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Zhivago takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Dall throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dall looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dall connects with a leg kick. Zhivago looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zhivago's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dall walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhivago throws a lazy right hand but Dall sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dall tried to counter with a leg kick but Zhivago avoided it.
Zhivago misses with a looping left.
Dall lands with a nice body punch.
Dall looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Dall throws a leg kick which misses Zhivago's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhivago tries to avoid it.
Zhivago slips a jab from Dall.
A big left from Dall misses.
Zhivago feints the counter takedown.
Dall takes a swing at Zhivago's ribcage but misses.
Dall throws a head kick but Zhivago moves out of range.
Dall thows a leg kick but Zhivago checks it
and Zhivago counters with an inside leg kick.
Dall moves into range and connects with a jab.
Dall misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall throws a leg kick but Zhivago checks it.
Dall throws the left hand but Zhivago avoids the punch easily.
Zhivago only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Dall will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhivago! But no joy.
Zhivago scores with a sloppy right hand. Dall should have avoided that one.
Zhivago lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhivago uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dall has time to react.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dall.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ebyn Dall. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zhivago misses with a hook. Dall ducked under it nicely.
It looked like Dall was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Zhivago.
Dall lands with a kick to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ebyn Dall will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A slow jab from Dall misses its intended target.
It seemed like Zhivago was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dall misses the shot to the body.
Dall swings for the body but Zhivago moves out of range.
Dall shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Zhivago lands with a straight right. Dall didn't see that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhivago misses the target.
Dall misses with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Dall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dall scores with a body shot.
Zhivago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dall.
Dall scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dall uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhivago.
Dall misses with a right hand
enabling Zhivago to counter with a crisp jab.
Zhivago looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Dall closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Zhivago's guard.
Dall trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zhivago looking to control.
Zhivago keeping full guard, as Dall tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Zhivago's guard.
Zhivago trying to control but Dall postures up.
Dall wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zhivago keeps working.
Zhivago preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Dall wants to free his trapped foot but Zhivago is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhivago tries to roll over but Dall keeps him under control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dall connects with a crisp jab.
Dall lands a jab to the nose.
Zhivago loads up on a big right hand but Dall slips the punch.
Dall appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Dall. Zhivago shrugs it off though.
Dall throws a leg kick that misses.
Dall drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dall turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zhivago with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dall closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zhivago circles away.
Zhivago misses with a right hand
and Dall counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dall misses the jab.
Dall fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Dall rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zhivago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dall chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zhivago can pounce on him.
Dall bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zhivago's head backwards.

Zhivago gets caught flat footed, as Dall shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zhivago wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ebyn Dall clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dall scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Dall connects with a solid leg kick.
Dall lands a nice looking body kick.
Dall throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zhivago keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A combination from Dall does no damage.
Zhivago lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dall throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhivago throws a head kick that misses
and Dall counters with a one-two to the body.
Zhivago uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dall.
Dall looks to land a right hand but Zhivago moved out of range.
Dall backing away here, and Zhivago unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Zhivago connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhivago misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dall lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Dall connects with the punch.
Zhivago jabs Dall to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zhivago throws the left hand but Dall avoids the punch easily.
Dall looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zhivago darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dall misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dall tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zhivago defends well and Dall ends up having to push Zhivago into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Dall missing with a left hand there. Zhivago was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dall misses with a wild body shot.
Dall slips a jab from Zhivago.
Dall misses the shot to the body.
Dall connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dall dips to his left and cracks Zhivago with an uppercut!
A low kick from Dall is predictable there

and Zhivago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhivago is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Dall fails to land.
Dall can't get the takedown.
Zhivago holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zhivago lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dall doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dall has picked Zhivago up - he's going for a ride! Dall dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Dall prevents Zhivago from improving his position.
Dall not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dall passes the guard and advances to mount!

Dall moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Zhivago has worked his arm free - good work by Zhivago!
Zhivago sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhivago is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Dall looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Zhivago is trying to maintain the position but Dall is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ebyn Dall had his way with Boris Zhivago in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dall misses the body punch
and Zhivago counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zhivago moves forwards but Dall connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Dall is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhivago can do to turn this around?
Dall uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zhivago has time to react.
Zhivago 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.
Zhivago misses with a hook to the body
letting Dall counter with a right hand.
Dall dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhivago has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Dall.
Zhivago stuffs the takedown.
It seemed like Zhivago was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zhivago misses with a head kick.
Dall jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dall, right into the meat.
Zhivago throws a big shot that misses.
Dall misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhivago.
Dall backing away here, and Zhivago unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dall misses with a kick to the body.
Zhivago jabs at Dall's body.
Zhivago blocks a jab.
Dall thuds his right hand into Zhivago's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Dall takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dall digs a good hook to Zhivago's body.
Dall fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zhivago on the side of the head.
Zhivago checks a leg kick nicely.
Zhivago misses with a double jab.
A slow jab from Dall misses its intended target.
Dall moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhivago looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zhivago has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zhivago misses with a looping right.
Zhivago slips under a jab.
Boris Zhivago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhivago gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Dall cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhivago swings for the body but Dall moves out of range.
Dall misses with a kick to the body
and Zhivago counters with a right hand to the body.
Dall paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Zhivago bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Check out the look on Zhivago's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Dall manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Dall is looking for a kimura but Zhivago is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dall to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhivago gets back to full guard.
Zhivago wants to sweep here but Dall controlling him for the moment.
Dall being controlled here momentarily.
Ebyn Dall is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dall wants to control from the top but Zhivago keeps moving.
Dall showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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.
Dall trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhivago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhivago seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Zhivago is looking for a triangle here but Dall uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ebyn Dall.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dall, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 49:46
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 50:45
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ebyn Dall!
Ebyn Dall retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Ebyn Dall thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.