PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Salvatore Fecchinni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tariq Ziyad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Fecchinni
vs
Ziyad

183 cm
28
195 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

188 cm
27
191 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Rōnin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Salvatore Fecchinni!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tariq Ziyad!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fecchinni throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fecchinni misses with a wild body shot.
Fecchinni throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ziyad counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Fecchinni is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Ziyad is looking to score with low kicks.
Fecchinni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ziyad was well out of range. Poor timing from Fecchinni.
Fecchinni just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Ziyad.
Salvatore Fecchinni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fecchinni throws the kick towards the body but Ziyad avoids it.
Ziyad throws a head kick that Fecchinni semi-blocks.
Ziyad lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fecchinni's sensitive parts.
Fecchinni misses with a few strikes there.

Ziyad closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Fecchinni quickly recovers to half guard.

Ziyad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ziyad content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Ziyad is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Fecchinni has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ziyad trying to control from half guard but Fecchinni is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ziyad wants to pass the guard but Fecchinni is defending well.
Fecchinni wants to get back to his feet.
Ziyad throwing shots but Fecchinni is blocking nicely.
Ziyad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fecchinni keeps working.
Ziyad is looking to stall here but Fecchinni recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ziyad drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fecchinni dives on top into guard.

Ziyad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fecchinni is aware though and is defending well.
Fecchinni stands up over Ziyad, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Fecchinni keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ziyad's head.
Fecchinni has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fecchinni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ziyad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fecchinni scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ziyad has his foot on Fecchinni's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fecchinni works his way back into a safe position though.
Ziyad not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fecchinni trying to move into half guard but instead Ziyad has managed to sweep!
Fecchinni wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ziyad manages to pass to side control.
Ziyad is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Ziyad trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ziyad scores with a head kick. Fecchinni tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Salvatore Fecchinni has been cut.
Fecchinni blocks a head kick by Ziyad.
Fecchinni misses with a hook to the body
and Ziyad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fecchinni's knee momentarily.
Fecchinni misses the shot to the body.
Fecchinni checks a low kick from Ziyad.
Fecchinni lands with a good body shot.
Fecchinni misses with a hook. Ziyad ducked under it nicely.
Fecchinni misses with a takedown attempt
and Ziyad counters with a solid body kick.
Ziyad slips under a jab.
Ziyad is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Fecchinni.
Fecchinni swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Ziyad shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fecchinni keeps working.
Ziyad wants to pass the guard but Fecchinni is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fecchinni kicks off Ziyad and gets to his feet.
Fecchinni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ziyad.
Fecchinni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

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.
Ziyad moves out of range of the leg kick from Fecchinni.
Fecchinni lands a nice looking body shot.
Fecchinni thows a leg kick but Ziyad checks it
and Ziyad counters with a good low kick that Fecchinni was not able to check.
Fecchinni is looking to wear down Ziyad with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fecchinni misses with a kick to the body

so Ziyad counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fecchinni keeping moving, preventing Ziyad from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ziyad throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad content to stall in guard here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ziyad with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Fecchinni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tariq Ziyad was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Good leg kick by Fecchinni there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fecchinni moves out of range of the body kick from Ziyad.

That's four 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.
Ziyad does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fecchinni steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ziyad. That one must have hurt.
Ziyad throws a wild body kick that Fecchinni sees coming a mile off.
Fecchinni shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ziyad as he jumps to the side.
Fecchinni uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Fecchinni throws a leg kick
and Ziyad counters with a nice kick to the body.
Ziyad moves out of range as Fecchinni throws a body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fecchinni misses with a hook to the body
and Ziyad counters with a leg kick.

Ziyad is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fecchinni's half guard.
Ziyad takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Salvatore Fecchinni'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.

Fecchinni throws a head kick that misses
and Ziyad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fecchinni's knee momentarily.
Ziyad scoring well with a low kick there.

Ziyad manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fecchinni on his heels. He'll look to pass Fecchinni's guard now, I'm sure.
Ziyad missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ziyad trying to control but Fecchinni is working from the bottom.
Ziyad is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Fecchinni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fecchinni keeping full guard, as Ziyad tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Fecchinni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad throwing strikes from guard but Fecchinni blocks nicely.
Ziyad throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Ziyad drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fecchinni dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fecchinni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ziyad is keeping the position for now.
Fecchinni stands and throws Ziyad's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ziyad sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Fecchinni not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ziyad manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ziyad is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ziyad is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fecchinni wants to pass the guard but Ziyad is keeping the position.
Fecchinni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fecchinni postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ziyad is controlling Fecchinni's posture.

Fecchinni got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ziyad has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fecchinni has managed to get both his arms back between Ziyad's legs - danger averted.
Fecchinni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ziyad is keeping the position for now.

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.

Ziyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fecchinni defends well.
Fecchinni works over Ziyad with some ground and pound from guard.
Fecchinni preventing the sweep.
Fecchinni throws a big right hand that misses.
Ziyad keeping full guard, as Fecchinni tries to pass.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fecchinni's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Salvatore Fecchinni's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fecchinni gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ziyad counters with a low kick, right behind Fecchinni 's knee.
Fecchinni throws a leg kick

and Ziyad counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fecchinni's guard now.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Fecchinni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fecchinni is keeping the position for now.
Ziyad looking to sit in guard and control but Fecchinni gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ziyad working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ziyad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fecchinni defends well.

Ziyad throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fecchinni trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ziyad manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Fecchinni is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ziyad is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ziyad wants to control from the top but Fecchinni keeps moving.
Ziyad wants to pass the guard but Fecchinni is keeping the position.
Fecchinni wants to stand and escape but Ziyad is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fecchinni wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ziyad manages to pass to side control.
Ziyad is trying to control. Fecchinni wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ziyad thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ziyad is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Fecchinni working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ziyad.

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.
Ziyad trying to control the position from guard on top but Fecchinni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ziyad tries to free his leg and advance position but Fecchinni is retaining full guard.
Fecchinni is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ziyad is controlling him.
Ziyad trying to control but Fecchinni is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fecchinni avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tariq Ziyad dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Salvatore Fecchinni'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. This is the final round!

Fecchinni connects with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fecchinni. Ziyad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fecchinni misses the jab.
Fecchinni closes the distance but Ziyad moves to the side

and Ziyad counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fecchinni won't allow Ziyad to pass to mount.
Fecchinni is not content to let Ziyad control the position.

Fecchinni kicks off Ziyad and gets to his feet.
No joy there for Fecchinni, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fecchinni avoids the head kick by Ziyad.
Ziyad steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fecchinni.
Fecchinni looks for the body kick but Ziyad saw that one coming.
Fecchinni takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Salvatore Fecchinni is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fecchinni misses with a double jab
and Ziyad counters with a nice kick to the body.
Fecchinni takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Ziyad shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ziyad wants to control but Fecchinni is keeping him busy.
Salvatore Fecchinni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ziyad is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ziyad wants to take a breather but Fecchinni is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziyad winds up and cracks Fecchinni with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ziyad has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ziyad looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fecchinni is bucking up trying to escape but Ziyad cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fecchinni trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ziyad sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tariq Ziyad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ziyad goes for an armbar but Fecchinni turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Fecchinni.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tariq Ziyad comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ziyad has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tariq Ziyad!
Tariq Ziyad is the new middleweight champion!