PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zanje Delamosai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Borris Khalidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Delamosai
vs
Khalidov

192 cm
24
210 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
21
217 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zanje Delamosai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Borris Khalidov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Delamosai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Khalidov as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Delamosai is defended easily by Khalidov.
Delamosai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zanje Delamosai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khalidov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khalidov wants it to stay on the feet.
Delamosai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Khalidov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Delamosai somewhat.
Delamosai shoots in looking for a takedown. Khalidov tries to sprawl out of it but Delamosai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Khalidov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Delamosai enables Khalidov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Delamosai manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Khalidov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Delamosai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khalidov stands up and waves to Delamosai to follow him.

Khalidov gets a takedown into half guard.
Khalidov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Delamosai pushes Khalidov off looking to stand but Khalidov dives back in and keeps control.
Khalidov wants to control but Delamosai is keeping him busy.
Khalidov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Khalidov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
I looks like Khalidov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Delamosai is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Delamosai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Khalidov slows the pace down in half guard.
Ground and pound from Khalidov.
Delamosai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Khalidov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Khalidov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Delamosai. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Khalidov passes to full mount!
Delamosai wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Delamosai tries to buck Khalidov off but he can't manage it.

Khalidov goes for an armbar but Delamosai turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Delamosai.
Khalidov wants to stand up but Delamosai is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Delamosai trying to control the position from guard on top but Khalidov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Delamosai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Delamosai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Khalidov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Khalidov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Delamosai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Delamosai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Delamosai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Delamosai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Khalidov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Delamosai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Khalidov is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Borris Khalidov dominated that round.
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.

Khalidov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Delamosai's half guard.
Khalidov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Khalidov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Delamosai is trying to stand up here but Khalidov is controlling him well.
Delamosai wants to stand back up but Khalidov manages to pass into side control.

Khalidov stands up and beckons Delamosai to his feet.

Khalidov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Khalidov lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Delamosai pushes Khalidov off and gets back to his feet.

Khalidov shoots in and gets a takedown into Delamosai's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Delamosai wants to stand but Khalidov is controlling the position.
Khalidov trying to control but Delamosai is working from the bottom.

Khalidov gets to his feet - Delamosai follows without any prompting.
Delamosai gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Khalidov counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Delamosai is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Khalidov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Khalidov is looking to take a break and control but Delamosai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khalidov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Khalidov is looking to take a break and control but Delamosai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khalidov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Delamosai wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Delamosai keeps working.
Khalidov controls the position from side control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Borris Khalidov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Delamosai with a poor takedown

and Khalidov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Delamosai's guard now.
Khalidov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Delamosai keeping moving, preventing Khalidov from controlling successfully.
Khalidov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Khalidov stops Delamosai from standing up.
Khalidov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Delamosai wants to stand and escape but Khalidov is having none of it.
Khalidov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Borris Khalidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Delamosai darts in trying to clinch

and Khalidov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Delamosai!
Khalidov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Delamosai is squirming around, avoiding Khalidov's attempts to control the action.
Delamosai squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Khalidov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Delamosai turns into him and now he's in Khalidov's guard.

Khalidov wriggles free and stands up.
Zanje Delamosai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Delamosai.
Delamosai shoots and misses

and Khalidov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Delamosai's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Delamosai is looking to stand up but Khalidov isn't so interested in that idea.
Delamosai is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Khalidov dives into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Delamosai wants to get back to his feet.
Borris Khalidov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Delamosai seems a little lost for a moment, as Khalidov dominates the positioning.
Delamosai is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Khalidov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Khalidov is looking to take a break and control but Delamosai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Delamosai is being controlled here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Borris Khalidov.

Khalidov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Delamosai wants to get back to his feet.
Khalidov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Khalidov tries to pass to full mount but Delamosai defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Delamosai is looking to escape.
Delamosai is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Khalidov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Khalidov prevents Delamosai from standing back up.
Borris Khalidov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Khalidov in particular looking to stall.
Zanje Delamosai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Delamosai tries to kick Khalidov off but Khalidov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Borris Khalidov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Khalidov 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Borris Khalidov!