PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bradock Lao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zurkumi Tahir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zurkumi Tahir has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lao
vs
Tahir

187 cm
24
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bradock Lao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zurkumi Tahir!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tahir stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tahir wants it to stay on the feet.
Tahir throws a nice looking combination but Lao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Zurkumi Tahir has been cut.
Tahir throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lao.
Tahir misses with a wild body shot.
Lao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tahir is fending him off so far but Lao persists. Nope, Tahir circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bradock Lao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tahir defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lao.
Tahir shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lao pinned against the cage. Lao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tahir paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lao shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tahir but Tahir pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lao moves out of range as Tahir throws a body kick.
Lao tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tahir swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lao shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tahir defends it nicely.
Lao checks a leg kick.
Tahir changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lao tries to avoid it but Tahir manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lao to the ground. Lao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lao closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tahir circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tahir shoots in and bounces Lao off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lao is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tahir is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lao is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lao is working hard here to advance position.
Lao is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tahir wants to control from the top but Lao keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zurkumi Tahir has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lao scores with a shot to the body.
Tahir throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lao cracks Tahir with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lao is looking to clinch.

Tahir shoots in and bounces Lao off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tahir tries to stand but Lao is controlling from the bottom.
Lao is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lao is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tahir stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lao swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lao tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bradock Lao will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zurkumi Tahir's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lao lands a leg kick that knocks Tahir off balance momentarily.
Lao shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tahir but Tahir pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lao tries to clinch but Tahir moves out of range.
Lao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tahir as he jumps to the side.
Lao scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lao fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bradock Lao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tahir circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tahir swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lao counters with a series of strikes. Tahir will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lao shoots for a double leg takedown but Tahir sprawls well. He's pushed Lao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tahir keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tahir takes a swing at Lao's ribcage but misses.
Tahir fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lao manages to avoid it.
Tahir dives in and grabs Lao's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lao pushes down on Tahir's head and hops out.
Tahir shoots in for a double leg but Lao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tahir shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tahir is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lao has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tahir can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tahir trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lao keeping moving, preventing Tahir from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lao not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tahir won't allow Lao to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Bradock Lao wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Lao takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lao shoots in for a takedown but Tahir shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Tahir decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Lao looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tahir really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lao. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lao moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tahir wants to control from the top but Lao keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lao is on top in guard.
Lao is looking to work some ground and pound but Tahir has wrist control.
Tahir trying to control the position.
Tahir wants to stand up but Lao is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bradock Lao dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zurkumi Tahir's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tahir throws out a leg kick but Lao moves out of range and Tahir only half commits.
Tahir throws a sloppy body shot
and Tahir takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lao shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tahir as he avoids it easily.

Tahir closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lao is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lao wants to control but Tahir postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahir controlling from side mount.
Lao manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tahir's best efforts.
Tahir wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lao keeps working.

That's two 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.
Lao is trying to control but can't.
Lao is looking for a sweep. Tahir is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tahir is pressing down on Lao's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lao is holding on for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Tahir closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tahir working away.
Tahir just content to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Lao's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lao manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lao tries to roll over but Tahir keeps him under control.

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.
Lao is looking to escape.
Lao is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lao is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zurkumi Tahir.
I think Lao 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 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bradock Lao!