PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Olsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Folami Zuberi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zuberi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Mickey Factz - Rocker kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The key to victory for Thomas Olsen has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Olsen
vs
Zuberi

200 cm
21
250 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

193 cm
24
240 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

•‡• LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Olsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Folami Zuberi!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zuberi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Olsen tries to avoid it but Zuberi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Olsen to the ground. Olsen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Olsen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Olsen misses with a body shot.
Zuberi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Olsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Olsen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Olsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Olsen with a hook.
Olsen jabs at Zuberi's body.
Olsen lands a glancing blow to the side of Zuberi's 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!
Olsen scores with a shot to the body.
Olsen throws a shot to the body.
Olsen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

It looks like Folami Zuberi has been cut.
Olsen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zuberi looks gassed!
Zuberi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zuberi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Olsen punishes Zuberi's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olsen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zuberi momentarily.
Olsen misses with the combination.
Olsen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Olsen scores with a nice right hand.
Olsen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Olsen lands a jab to Zuberi's midsection.
Olsen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zuberi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thomas Olsen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zuberi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Olsen punishes Zuberi's body with a nice straight punch.
Zuberi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zuberi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Olsen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Olsen scores with a jab to the body.
Olsen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olsen lands a nice hook to Zuberi's body. Zuberi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Olsen lands a slapping body shot.
Olsen cracks Zuberi with an open hand slap.
A lazy left from Olsen finds it's target.
Olsen throws a right and a left that Zuberi avoids nicely.
Zuberi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zuberi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Olsen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Olsen lands a jab.
Olsen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Olsen throws a series of punches but Zuberi moves out of range.
Olsen lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olsen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Olsen clobbers Zuberi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zuberi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Olsen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Donk. Olsen catches Zuberi right on the button with a cross.
Zuberi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Olsen throws a shot to the body.
Zuberi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Olsen misses with a series of wild punches.
Zuberi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Olsen lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Olsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Zuberi is just out of range.
Olsen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Olsen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thomas Olsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Olsen lunges at Zuberi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zuberi's hand.
Olsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuberi circles away quickly and effectively.
Zuberi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Olsen swivels and escapes.
Olsen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zuberi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Olsen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Olsen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Olsen throws a series of punches but Zuberi avoids them all with ease.
Olsen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zuberi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Olsen works Zuberi's body with a nice hook.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Olsen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Olsen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Olsen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Olsen duly obliges.
Olsen punishes Zuberi's body with a nice straight punch.
Olsen throws a one two combo.
Olsen lands a nice hook to Zuberi's body. Zuberi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zuberi shoots in and drives through. Olsen sprawls well.
Thomas Olsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Folami Zuberi.
Olsen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Olsen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Olsen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A nice combination there by Zuberi.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Olsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zuberi is trying desperately to land a takedown but Olsen is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Zuberi.
Zuberi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Good exchange - Olsen coming out on top.
Olsen throws a right hand that Zuberi ducks under and follows up with a left that Zuberi also avoids with ease.
Zuberi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Olsen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zuberi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Olsen.
Olsen misses the shot to the body.
Zuberi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Olsen misses with a combination
and Zuberi counters with a stiff right hand.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Olsen cracks a nice hook into Zuberi's ribs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zuberi.
Olsen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Olsen throws a shot to the body.
Zuberi misses with a takedown attempt - Olsen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Olsen throws a combination that misses
and Zuberi counters with a one-two to the body.
Olsen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Olsen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Olsen throws a series of punches but Zuberi moves out of range.
Zuberi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zuberi dives in and grabs Olsen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Olsen pushes down on Zuberi's head and hops out.
Olsen tests Zuberi's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi slips a jab and a cross from Olsen.
Olsen works over Zuberi's head and body with a nice combination.

Zuberi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Olsen is trying to stand back up but Zuberi is controlling him
Olsen tries to get to full guard but Zuberi has control of the leg.
Olsen tries to kick Zuberi off but Zuberi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zuberi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Olsen's head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Olsen tries to kick Zuberi off but Zuberi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Zuberi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Olsen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zuberi.
Olsen wants to control but Zuberi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Olsen throws a body punch but Zuberi moves out of range.
Zuberi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Olsen.
Olsen throws a body punch but Zuberi moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Olsen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Folami Zuberi's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zuberi throws a nice looking combination but Olsen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Olsen lands a nice looking body shot.
Olsen is working the combinations to good effect here.
Decent striking displayed by Olsen there.
Olsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zuberi shoots in but no luck this time.
Olsen is looking to wear down Zuberi with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Zuberi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Olsen.
A punch combination from Zuberi misses.
Olsen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zuberi counters with a good low kick that Olsen was not able to check.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zuberi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Olsen finds it's way round the side to connect with Zuberi's head.
Olsen scores with a body shot.
A left and a right from Olsen both land. Nice combination.
Olsen scores with a hook.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olsen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zuberi is defended easily by Olsen.
Olsen punishes Zuberi's body with a nice straight punch.
Olsen connects with a body shot.
Zuberi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zuberi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Olsen scores with a jab to the body.
Olsen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Olsen.
Olsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olsen throws a right hand that Zuberi ducks under and follows up with a left that Zuberi also avoids with ease.
Olsen lands a nice hook to Zuberi's body. Zuberi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zuberi misses with a low kick.
Olsen lands a slapping body shot.
Jab by Olsen.
Olsen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Olsen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zuberi.
Zuberi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zuberi walks into a jab.
Olsen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zuberi can do to turn this around?
Olsen lands a head shot.
Olsen scores with a jab to the body.
Zuberi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olsen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zuberi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Olsen.
Zuberi takes one to the chin there.
Zuberi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Olsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zuberi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Olsen scores with a four punch combination!
Zuberi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Olsen throws a combination that misses

and Zuberi counters with a single leg into guard. Olsen didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Olsen keeping moving, preventing Zuberi from controlling successfully.
Olsen trying to keep a closed guard but Zuberi is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi pushing down on Olsen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Olsen is not content to let Zuberi control the position.
Zuberi prevents Olsen from standing back up.
Zuberi trying to control from half guard but Olsen is working away.
Olsen is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Zuberi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Olsen's head.
Olsen is not content to let Zuberi control the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Olsen defending well though.
Olsen is looking for a sweep. Zuberi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Olsen scores with a three punch combo!
Olsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuberi circles away quickly and effectively.
Olsen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zuberi was well out of range. Poor timing from Olsen.
Olsen lands a body shot.
Olsen throws a lazy right hand but Zuberi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horrible takedown by Zuberi or perhaps it was just good defense by Olsen which made him look bad.
Thomas Olsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Folami Zuberi.
Olsen misses with a combination
and Zuberi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Olsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Zuberi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zuberi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zuberi wants to control but Olsen is keeping him busy.
Zuberi prevents Olsen from standing back up.
Olsen is looking for a sweep. Zuberi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zuberi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Olsen pushes Zuberi off looking to stand but Zuberi dives back in and keeps control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Olsen is looking to get back to full guard here but Zuberi has managed to pass to side control instead.
Olsen is trying to escape the mount.
Olsen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Zuberi in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zuberi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Olsen is looking to escape.
Zuberi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Olsen wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Zuberi wants to control the pace but Olsen is squirming around nicely.
Zuberi working Olsen over with strikes here.
Zuberi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Olsen is looking to escape.
Zuberi with good strikes from the mount here!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Olsen squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Zuberi jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Olsen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Zuberi tries to advance to mount but can't.
Zuberi wants to control but Olsen is keeping him busy.
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 Thomas Olsen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Folami Zuberi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Olsen throws a series of strikes that have Zuberi backpedaling.
Olsen lands a with a good body shot.
Olsen misses with a few strikes there.
Olsen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zuberi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Olsen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Olsen duly obliges.
Olsen lands a jab to Zuberi's midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Olsen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Olsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Olsen misses with a body shot
and Zuberi counters with a two punch combo.
Olsen digs a good body shot into Zuberi's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olsen connects with the punch.
Olsen scores with a body shot.
Olsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zuberi manages to avoid it.
Olsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuberi circles away quickly and effectively.
Zuberi shoots in looking for a takedown. Olsen tries to sprawl out of it but Zuberi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Olsen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A shot to de liver by Olsen. Beautiful body shot.
Olsen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zuberi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Olsen works over Zuberi's head and body with a nice combination.
Olsen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Olsen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olsen misses with a shot to the body
and Zuberi counters with a big head kick but Olsen shrugs it off.
Olsen catches Zuberi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zuberi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zuberi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Olsen misses with a wild body shot.
Olsen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zuberi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Olsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zuberi manages to avoid it.
Thomas Olsen is winning the standup battle so far.
Olsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Olsen clobbers Zuberi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Danga de danga de dang - Olsen scores with a four punch combination!
Olsen swings for the body but Zuberi moves out of range.
A slow jab from Zuberi misses its intended target.
Olsen throws a sloppy body shot
and Zuberi counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zuberi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zuberi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Olsen is trying to stand up here but Zuberi is controlling him well.
Olsen has hold of Zuberi's hands but Zuberi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zuberi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Olsen wants to get back to his feet.
Zuberi moves nicely into side control.
Zuberi tries to advance to mount but Olsen denies him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi is looking to take a break and control but Olsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Olsen is pushing Zuberi's head away, looking to escape. Zuberi manages to hold on to the position though.
Zuberi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Olsen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zuberi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Olsen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Zuberi counters with a takedown into side control.
Zuberi trying to control the position but Olsen is working away.
Folami Zuberi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Olsen is trying to get back to his feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Olsen trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Zuberi trying to control the action but Olsen is working from the bottom.
Olsen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zuberi asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Olsen seems a little lost for a moment, as Zuberi dominates the positioning.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Olsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Olsen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Zuberi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Olsen's guard now.
Olsen is looking to stand up but Zuberi isn't so interested in that idea.
Zuberi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Olsen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zuberi trying to control but Olsen is working from the bottom.

Olsen has his feet on Zuberi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Olsen throws a shot to the body.
Olsen throws a series of punches but Zuberi avoids them all with ease.
Olsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuberi circles away quickly and effectively.
Olsen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zuberi lands with a cross.
Zuberi swinging wildly here.
Olsen throws a combination that misses
and Zuberi counters with a three punch combo that has Olsen backing up. Olsen nods at Zuberi to acknowledge the strikes.
Zuberi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zuberi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Zuberi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Olsen keeping moving, preventing Zuberi from controlling successfully.
Zuberi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Zuberi trying to control the position from guard on top but Olsen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Olsen controls Zuberi momentarily but Zuberi frees himself.
Zuberi looking to pass the guard.
Olsen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Olsen keeping moving, preventing Zuberi from controlling successfully.
Zuberi wants to pass the guard but Olsen is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zuberi dodges the punch combination from Olsen.
Olsen lands a with a good body shot.
Zuberi has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas Olsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Folami Zuberi.
A left and a right from Olsen both land. Nice combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Folami Zuberi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Olsen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Thomas Olsen!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Thomas Olsen!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Thomas Olsen!

Thomas Olsen wins by unanimous decision!