PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dr Gonzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamid Zaferani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamid Zaferani has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dr Gonzo's chin.

Gonzo
vs
Zaferani

167 cm
22
142 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
145 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dr Gonzo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hamid Zaferani!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gonzo connects with the punch.
Zaferani slips under a jab.
Zaferani misses with a body kick.
Zaferani looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gonzo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zaferani but Zaferani pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zaferani throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dr Gonzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gonzo throws a body punch but Zaferani moves out of range.
Gonzo misses with a kick to the body
and Zaferani counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gonzo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Zaferani darts in and clinches Gonzo up against the cage.
Zaferani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zaferani lands a nice uppercut.
Zaferani lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gonzo blocking some punches.
Zaferani throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaferani creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gonzo can't find room to land a body shot as Zaferani controls the action.
Zaferani pushes off an throws an elbow but Gonzo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gonzo throws a punch but it's blocked by Zaferani.
Gonzo cracks Zaferani with a nice body shot.
A short left from Gonzo.

Gonzo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gonzo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gonzo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gonzo is thwarting Zaferani's attempts to control the position.
Gonzo slows the pace down in half guard.
Gonzo wants to pass the guard but Zaferani is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gonzo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zaferani is just riding it out for now. Gonzo eventually gives up the hold.
Zaferani is positioning himself well to prevent Gonzo advancing to mount.
Gonzo is pressing down on Zaferani's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zaferani is holding on for now.
Zaferani avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gonzo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaferani wants to improve his position but Gonzo is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Zaferani is defending against the submission attempts here by Gonzo.
Gonzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gonzo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaferani controlling the position well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zaferani bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaferani can pounce on him.
Gonzo looks to throw the jab but Zaferani is out of range.
Zaferani misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gonzo.
Gonzo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gonzo misses with an uppercut
and Zaferani counters with a leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gonzo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gonzo lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gonzo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zaferani throws an elbow but misses.
Gonzo blocks the elbow strike.
Zaferani missing with knees to the body.
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 Dr Gonzo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gonzo throws a jab when Zaferani was well out of range.
Gonzo throws a leg kick
and Zaferani counters with a nice uppercut.
Decent striking displayed by Gonzo there.
Gonzo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zaferani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gonzo.
Zaferani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zaferani takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zaferani 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.
Zaferani takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands with an uppercut that bounces Gonzo off the cage and back into rage.
Zaferani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gonzo.
Gonzo takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaferani with a nice cross.
Gonzo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hamid Zaferani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gonzo misses with a hook.
Zaferani tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gonzo is able to avoid easily.
Gonzo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaferani.
Gonzo misses with a wild body shot.
Gonzo throws a push kick but Zaferani slaps the foot to one side.
Zaferani misses with a hook. Gonzo ducked under it nicely.
Gonzo just misses with a punch to the body.
Gonzo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaferani slips a jab from Gonzo.
Gonzo is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Zaferani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gonzo walks into a stiff left hand from Zaferani.
Zaferani takes a swing at Gonzo's ribcage but misses.
Hamid Zaferani is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gonzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zaferani.
Gonzo misses with a wild body shot.
Zaferani misses with the combination.
Zaferani takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gonzo scoring well with a low kick there.
Gonzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaferani manages to avoid it.
Gonzo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo scores with the left hand. Zaferani knows he should have avoided that one.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zaferani 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 Gonzo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gonzo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gonzo cracks Zaferani with a good jab.
Zaferani uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Jab by Gonzo.
Gonzo scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gonzo. Zaferani does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaferani misses with an uppercut.
Zaferani throws a leg kick but Gonzo moved away.
Zaferani lands with a straight right. Gonzo didn't see that one coming.
A jab from Gonzo finds it's way through Zaferani's defenses.
Zaferani blocks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani moves out of range as Gonzo throws a body kick.
Gonzo thows a leg kick but Zaferani checks it
and Zaferani counters with a nice body shot.
Gonzo just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from Zaferani.
Gonzo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab lands there for Gonzo.
Gonzo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gonzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaferani.
Zaferani misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzo throws a head kick but Zaferani moves out of range.

Gonzo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zaferani's guard.
Gonzo trying to control but Zaferani is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dr Gonzo dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A jab from Gonzo finds it's way through Zaferani's defenses.

Gonzo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zaferani to the mat! Zaferani manages to get full guard.
Gonzo looking to sit in guard and control but Zaferani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gonzo looking for a sweep. Not yet Gonzo, not yet.
Gonzo looking to control.
Gonzo trying to strike off his back.
Gonzo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gonzo is on top in guard.
Zaferani 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.
Zaferani can't keep his opponent in guard - Gonzo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Still in half guard, Gonzo seems content to control.
Gonzo is trying to control. Zaferani wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zaferani is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gonzo scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo uses his free foot to push down on Zaferani's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zaferani.
Zaferani wants to hold on but Gonzo pushes him away.
Zaferani might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gonzo kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gonzo wants to control the pace but Zaferani is squirming around nicely.
Gonzo sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gonzo sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaferani is squirming around, avoiding Gonzo's attempts to control the action.
Gonzo controlling from mount.
Gonzo tries to control but Zaferani wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo wants to control but instead Zaferani manages to regain half guard.
Gonzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zaferani defending well though.
Gonzo wants to take a breather but Zaferani is having none of it.
Zaferani trying to control here.
Gonzo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gonzo is looking to take a break and control but Zaferani is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dr Gonzo has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zaferani connects with a body shot.
Gonzo takes a swing at Zaferani's ribcage but misses.
Zaferani misses with a looping left.
Gonzo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zaferani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaferani avoids the body shot from Gonzo.
A lazy body kick from Gonzo
and Zaferani connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice defenses there by Gonzo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzo lands with a good body shot.
Gonzo dips to his left and cracks Zaferani with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dr Gonzo clearly takes 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.

Zaferani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zaferani takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gonzo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Gonzo lands an overhand right.
Gonzo looks to land a right hand but Zaferani moved out of range.

Gonzo moves into range and clinches up with Zaferani.
Gonzo misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gonzo.
Gonzo avoids a wild elbow strike from Zaferani.
Gonzo avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.
Gonzo takes an elbow to the temple.
Gonzo blocks an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gonzo avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzo blocks an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Gonzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gonzo working aggressively here.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside.
Gonzo avoiding damage as Zaferani throws knees to the body.
Zaferani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gonzo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gonzo scores with a hook to the body.
Gonzo dodges an elbow strike from Zaferani.
Zaferani lands a shoulder strike.
Gonzo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gonzo lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo misses with a punch to the body.
Zaferani has a couple of punches blocked by Gonzo.
Gonzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zaferani misses with some punches.
Gonzo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zaferani blocks a body shot from Gonzo.
Gonzo avoids the elbow strike from Zaferani, against the cage.
Gonzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zaferani just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gonzo's brow.
Gonzo is trying to maintain a safe position but Zaferani gets an underhook and turns Gonzo into the cage.
Hamid Zaferani seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zaferani lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaferani lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Zaferani creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Zaferani gets underhooks to prevent Gonzo's takedown attempt.
Gonzo misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo can't find room to land a body shot as Zaferani controls the action.
Gonzo tries to work over Zaferani's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gonzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zaferani lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Zaferani scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zaferani lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Dr Gonzo has been cut.
Gonzo tries to throw a body punch but Zaferani avoids it by throwing Gonzo back against the cage.
Gonzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gonzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Zaferani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaferani lands with a light punch inside.

Gonzo is rocked!
Zaferani misses with a punch to the body.
Gonzo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zaferani blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zaferani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gonzo.
Gonzo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zaferani pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gonzo looks to land a right hand but Zaferani moved out of range.

Gonzo closes the distance and clinches.
Gonzo works on Zaferani's body with a couple of short punches.
Zaferani pushes off an throws an elbow but Gonzo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hook to the body lands for Gonzo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzo digs a right hand underneath Zaferani's ribcage. Zaferani let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gonzo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zaferani lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dr Gonzo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dr Gonzo's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gonzo throws a shot to the body.
Gonzo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zaferani misses with a straight left.
Gonzo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaferani.
A jab from Gonzo misses.
Zaferani throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gonzo.
Zaferani fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gonzo manages to avoid it.
Gonzo throws a right hand that misses
and Zaferani counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaferani on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zaferani moves out of range of the leg kick from Gonzo.
Gonzo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaferani.
Gonzo swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zaferani.
Zaferani thows a body shot but no joy.
Gonzo lands a leg kick that knocks Zaferani off balance momentarily.
Gonzo misses with the body kick
and Zaferani counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gonzo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zaferani shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zaferani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gonzo.
Gonzo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zaferani thuds a left hand into Gonzo's body.
Zaferani takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Donk. Gonzo catches Zaferani right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gonzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaferani manages to avoid it.
Gonzo takes a swing at Zaferani's ribcage but misses.
Zaferani keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zaferani tries to land a front kick but Gonzo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
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!
Zaferani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Gonzo.
Gonzo just misses with a punch to the body.
Gonzo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zaferani sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gonzo somewhat.
Zaferani misses with an uppercut
letting Gonzo counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani circles away from the clinch attempt
and Zaferani counters with a good low kick that Gonzo was not able to check.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaferani. Gonzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gonzo misses with a body shot.
Gonzo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gonzo moves out of range as Zaferani strikes.

Zaferani has closed the distance and engaged Gonzo in a clinch.
Zaferani looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gonzo is working Zaferani over against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Gonzo.
Zaferani is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Gonzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaferani gets underhooks to prevent Gonzo's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dr Gonzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gonzo.
Zaferani lands a left hand.
Gonzo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zaferani smiles and moves away.
Zaferani misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Gonzo gets a double leg takedown into Zaferani's guard.
Hamid Zaferani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Gonzo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zaferani swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zaferani is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gonzo is aware though and is defending well.
Dr Gonzo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gonzo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dr Gonzo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gonzo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dr Gonzo!
Dr Gonzo retains his bantamweight title!