PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Slugger Dunes (ranked 1326 p4p, 1479 weight class) and Abdullah Zaire (ranked 197 p4p, 216 weight class). Dunes kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The World's Greatest. 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.

Dunes
vs
Zaire

180 cm
34
190
20 - 13 - 1

189 cm
37
206
18 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Champion Apparel

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Slugger Dunes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Abdullah Zaire!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dunes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zaire misses with a looping right.
Zaire defending well as Dunes loads up on a big left hand.
Nice shot lands for Zaire.
Zaire connects with an inside leg kick.
Dunes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zaire.
Zaire with the inside leg kick.
Dunes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Dunes wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Zaire throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zaire tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dunes was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaire.
Dunes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zaire's hands.
We've been told by Dunes's head coaches at Champion Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Dunes throws a low kick but Zaire moves out of range easily.
Zaire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dunes.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dunes fakes the leg kick and cracks Zaire in the body.
Dunes closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
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!
Zaire throws a jab when Dunes was well out of range.
Zaire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dunes.
Zaire missing with a left hand there. Dunes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaire 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.
A low kick from Dunes misses
enabling Zaire to counter with a crisp jab.
Zaire scores with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaire throws the left hand but Dunes avoids the punch easily.
Dunes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zaire.
Zaire swings away with a body shot that misses
and Dunes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dunes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zaire is out of range.
Dunes scores with a jab.
Zaire misses with an uppercut
enabling Dunes to counter with a crisp jab.
Zaire has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zaire there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dunes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dunes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zaire moves away.
A telegraphed right hand from Zaire misses the target.
Zaire with a nice calf kick.
Zaire works the jab nicely.
Dunes moves away from the strike by Zaire.
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!
Nice uppercut there from Zaire.
Dunes throws a body shot but no joy.
Zaire checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Zaire walks into a jab.

It looks like Abdullah Zaire has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Zaire lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dunes doesn't seem phased though.
Zaire with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dunes to score with a decent uppercut.
Zaire takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zaire slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A jab from Dunes misses.
Dunes is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A shot to the body from Zaire misses
and Dunes counters with a low kick, right behind Zaire 's knee.
Dunes throws the left hand but Zaire avoids the punch easily.
Dunes swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dunes misses with a hook.
Dunes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zaire will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dunes throws a shot from downtown. Zaire moves away and avoids it.
Dunes throws a jab when Zaire was well out of range.
Zaire throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zaire throws an overhand right that lands on Dunes's shoulder, as Dunes tries to avoid the shot.
Zaire lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dunes at a distance.
Dunes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
An inside leg kick from Zaire misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Zaire misses.
Zaire lands an overhand right.
Dunes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zaire is out of range and Dunes settles back down.
Zaire fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dunes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zaire lands with an overhand left.
Dunes connects with the punch.
A cross from Zaire lands.
Zaire throws a looping overhand right but Dunes ducks down to avoid it.
Zaire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zaire follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A shot to the liver by Zaire. Beautiful body shot.
Zaire ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice leg kick from Zaire, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dunes throws a hook but Zaire avoids it easily.
Dunes staying out of range there.
Dunes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaire throws a jab but it's blocked by Dunes.
Zaire misses with a lunging right hand
and Dunes counters with an inside leg kick.
A solid body kick from Zaire.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dunes tries to land a leg kick but Zaire saw it coming and moves away.
Dunes throws a lazy right hand but Zaire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dunes lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Some bone on bone action there as Zaire checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Zaire getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zaire lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dunes darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zaire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zaire throws an overhand right that lands on Dunes's shoulder, as Dunes tries to avoid the shot.
Zaire misses with a hook.
Dunes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zaire misses with a looping left.
Dunes swings for the body but Zaire moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaire lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zaire fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dunes manages to avoid it.
Zaire with a jab.
Dunes scores with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Abdullah Zaire will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abdullah Zaire's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dunes finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Dunes misses with a left hand
and Zaire counters with a right hand to the body.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Dunes might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Dunes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dunes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Dunes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Dunes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaire sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Dunes.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dunes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zaire throws a big shot that misses.
That kick from Zaire tenderised Dunes's leg. Dunes is trying to keep his angry face on.
Dunes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zaire is out of range and Dunes settles back down.
Dunes misses with a two punch combination.
Zaire throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zaire turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dunes throws a leg kick but Zaire sees it coming and moves out of range.
Zaire feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Duness jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zaire wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zaire has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zaire cracks a nice hook into Dunes's ribs.
Dunes lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire checks a leg kick nicely.
Dunes connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zaire momentarily.
Zaire bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Dunes's head.
Dunes misses with a lunging right hand
and Zaire cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dunes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaire misses with a left hand
and Dunes counters with a slapping leg kick.
Dunes slips under a jab from Zaire.
Dunes on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dunes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zaire moves away from the strike by Dunes.
Zaire connects with a body shot.
Zaire lands a leg kick that knocks Dunes off balance momentarily.
Dunes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zaire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dunes.
Dunes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A jab from Dunes misses.
Zaire with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dunes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaire.
Zaire is looking to chop away at Dunes's legs.
Dunes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zaire looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dunes misses with an uppercut. Zaire saw that one coming.
Zaire goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A big right from Zaire misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zaire lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Dunes has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Dunes and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Dunes slips a straight right by Zaire.
Dunes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
Dunes blocks a jab.
Dunes tries a head kick but it misses.
Dunes throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zaire's head.
Dunes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dunes misses with an uppercut.
Zaire takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zaire misses with a hook. Dunes ducked under it nicely.
Dunes throws an off balance right hand
and Zaire counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dunes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zaire.
Dunes is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zaire scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Zaire rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dunes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zaire steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dunes.
Dunes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zaire misses with a hook to the body
enabling Dunes to counter with a crisp jab.
Zaire throws a body shot but no joy.
Dunes throws the left hand but Zaire avoids the punch easily.
Dunes blocks a leg kick.
Zaire scores with a jab to the body.
Dunes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice defenses there by Dunes.
Dunes misses with a straight left.
Dunes moves out of range of the strikes.
A big right from Zaire misses.
Dunes lands with a hook. Zaire tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
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!
Dunes looks to score with a jab to the body but Zaire is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dunes walks into a jab.
Nice defenses there by Zaire.
Zaire uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Zaire misses the target.
Zaire takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Dunes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaire.
Zaire keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dunes.
Dunes takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dunes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dunes missing with a left hand there. Zaire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaire misses with an uppercut. Dunes saw that one coming.
It looked like Dunes wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Dunes with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Dunes.
Zaire appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaire throws a front kick aimed at Dunes's knee but Dunes avoids it well.
A big right from Zaire misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zaire.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Abdullah Zaire's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A slow jab from Dunes misses its intended target.
Zaire throws a jab but it's blocked by Dunes.
Zaire fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dunes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zaire turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dunes misses with a hook. Zaire ducked under it nicely.
Dunes throws a low kick but Zaire moves out of range easily.
Zaire throws out a leg kick but Dunes moves out of range and Zaire only half commits.
Zaire thumps Dunes with a low kick.
A cross from Zaire lands.
Dunes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dunes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zaire scores with a decent looking hook.
Dunes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dunes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zaire looks to land a left hand but Dunes moved out of range nicely.
Zaire throws a hook but Dunes avoids it easily.
Zaire blocks a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dunes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zaire throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dunes on the side of the head.
Both fighters circling a little - Zaire finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Dunes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zaire misses with a hook
enabling Dunes to counter with a crisp jab.
Dunes moves away from the strike by Zaire.
A big left from Zaire misses.
Dunes throws a leg kick but Zaire checks it.
Zaire attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dunes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zaire motions for Dunes to come forward. Zaire throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zaire misses with an uppercut
and Dunes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zaire thinking.
Dunes throws a body shot but no joy.
A left lands for Zaire.
Dunes needs to keep his hands up - Zaire had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire connects with a leg kick.
That kick from Zaire tenderised Dunes's leg. Dunes is trying to keep his angry face on.
Slugger Dunes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire looks to throw the jab but Dunes is out of range.
Zaire pivots, looking for a leg kick but Dunes is out of range and Zaire settles back down.
An attempted straight right counter from Dunes misses the target.
Dunes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Dunes checks it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dunes.
A swing and a miss from Dunes.
Zaire's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dunes under the eye.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaire.
Zaire misses with a straight left.
Zaire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dunes.
Zaire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zaire dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dunes. That did some damage!
Dunes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zaire flicks out a counter leg kick but Dunes steps away.
Dunes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zaire will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dunes moves forwards but Zaire connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Dunes lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dunes moves out of range as Zaire strikes.
Zaire is looking to land body kicks.
Zaire connects with a leg kick.
Dunes clobbers Zaire with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zaire misses with a straight left.
Dunes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaire can pounce on him.
Dunes throws a shot from downtown. Zaire moves away and avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Zaire misses.
Zaire fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zaire tries to move into range but Dunes moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Zaire takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dunes slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Zaire scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dunes misses the jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dunes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dunes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jab from Zaire.
Dunes misses with a leg kick
and Zaire cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire blocks a low kick nicely.
Dunes throws the kick towards the body but Zaire avoids it.
Dunes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaire manages to avoid it.
Zaire cracks a nice hook into Dunes's ribs.
A jab from Zaire misses.
Dunes misses with a hook
and Zaire counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaire looks to land a left hand but Dunes moved out of range nicely.
Zaire scores with a sloppy right hand. Dunes should have avoided that one.
Dunes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zaire misses with a straight right.
Zaire moves forwards but Dunes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zaire.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dunes misses with a hook.
Zaire throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zaire cracks Dunes with an open hand slap.
Abdullah Zaire is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Dunes moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdullah Zaire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaire 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdullah Zaire!
Abdullah Zaire thanked the fans post fight for their support.