PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Niel Seraphim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mootje Zakaria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Seraphim
vs
Zakaria

176 cm
25
138 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Niel Seraphim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mootje Zakaria!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zakaria lands with a kick to the temple. Seraphim shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Zakaria moves forwards but Seraphim connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Seraphim misses with a body kick.
Seraphim scores with a leg kick.
Zakaria shoots in for a double leg but Seraphim sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Seraphim with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Seraphim fakes the leg kick and cracks Zakaria in the body.

Seraphim gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zakaria blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zakaria is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zakaria is looking for a takedown.
Niel Seraphim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mootje Zakaria.
Seraphim with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but Zakaria blocks it.
Seraphim creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but Seraphim won't allow it.
Seraphim trying to land knees to the body.
Zakaria is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Seraphim to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seraphim throws an elbow that misses.
Seraphim really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zakaria wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zakaria jumps guard but Seraphim stands there with Zakaria around his waist. Zakaria gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Seraphim obliges.

Seraphim lands a takedown into guard.

Seraphim gets to his feet - Zakaria follows without any prompting.
Zakaria takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Zakaria looks winded!
Seraphim throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Seraphim throws a body kick that misses.
Seraphim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Seraphim gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Seraphim misses with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Zakaria drags the fight down to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Seraphim controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Seraphim has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zakaria not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zakaria looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Seraphim is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Seraphim postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zakaria is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Seraphim moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Seraphim cracks Zakaria with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zakaria pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zakaria with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Seraphim to score with a decent uppercut.
Seraphim cracks the inside of Zakaria's front leg.

Seraphim closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim stalling the fight.
Seraphim throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zakaria blocks it with crossed arms.
Seraphim pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Seraphim working Zakaria over with knees to the body.

Seraphim is trying to trip Zakaria. He has hold of a leg but Zakaria is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Seraphim persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Zakaria is working an open guard so Seraphim takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Seraphim throws a sloppy head kick and Zakaria moves out of range easily.
That kick from Seraphim tenderised Zakaria's leg. Zakaria is trying to keep his angry face on.
Seraphim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zakaria tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Seraphim defends well and Zakaria ends up having to push Seraphim into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Seraphim lands an elbow just above Zakaria 's eye.
Seraphim utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Seraphim looking to throw knees to the head but Zakaria is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niel Seraphim dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Seraphim closes the distance and clinches.
Zakaria takes a knee right on the jaw!
Seraphim is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Seraphim gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Seraphim creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Zakaria's defenses.
Zakaria is trying to break the clinch but Seraphim is controlling him.
Nice elbow from Seraphim.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Seraphim just stands there and leans against the cage.
Seraphim lands a damaging elbow.

Zakaria pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zakaria shoots in looking for a takedown. Seraphim tries to sprawl out of it but Zakaria keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Seraphim manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A shot to the body from Zakaria misses
and Seraphim counters with a nice body kick.
Zakaria is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Seraphim throws a front kick that sends Zakaria stumbling back into the cage.
Seraphim has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Seraphim thows a body kick. Zakaria tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Seraphim is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zakaria can do to turn this around?
Seraphim lands with a kick to the temple. Zakaria shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakaria walks forward, straight into a front kick from Seraphim.
Mootje Zakaria is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Seraphim darts in and clinches Zakaria up against the cage.
Niel Seraphim has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Seraphim lands a nice elbow.
Seraphim slows down the pace here.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the head but Zakaria blocks with his arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Seraphim throws an elbow but misses.
Seraphim with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Seraphim obliges.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Seraphim throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zakaria blocks it with crossed arms.
Seraphim throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Seraphim just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zakaria's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Seraphim.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but Seraphim won't allow it.
Niel Seraphim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mootje Zakaria.

Seraphim has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zakaria uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zakaria being controlled here momentarily.

Seraphim pushes Zakaria off and gets back to his feet.

Seraphim rushes Zakaria and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Seraphim just leaning against Zakaria, taking a breather.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but Seraphim holds him up against the cage and eventually Zakaria drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but Seraphim forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Seraphim comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Seraphim with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Seraphim lands a good knee to the midsection. Zakaria won't want to take too many of those.
Seraphim landing knees to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Seraphim.
Seraphim landing knees to the head.
Seraphim lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Seraphim lands an elbow just above Zakaria 's eye.
Zakaria jumps guard but Seraphim stands there with Zakaria around his waist. Zakaria gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zakaria is looking to control Seraphim's arms but Seraphim gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zakaria has his back to the cage.
Seraphim creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zakaria takes an elbow to the forehead.
Seraphim lands a good knee to the midsection. Zakaria won't want to take too many of those.
Seraphim lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Seraphim misses with an elbow over the top.
Zakaria tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Seraphim is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Zakaria blocks the elbow strike.
Seraphim is struggling to control the position.
Seraphim landing knees to the head.
Seraphim has Zakaria pressed against the cage.
Seraphim blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niel Seraphim dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Seraphim with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zakaria checks a leg kick.
Zakaria takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zakaria stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Seraphim.

Seraphim gets tackled into the cage by Zakaria. Zakaria maintains the clinch.
Seraphim throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zakaria blocks it with crossed arms.
Zakaria takes a knee to the side of the body.
Seraphim effectively controlling the action here.
Zakaria avoids a wild elbow strike from Seraphim.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakaria drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Seraphim gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zakaria takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Seraphim looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seraphim landing knees to the head.
Seraphim looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Seraphim lands a knee to the head.

Zakaria manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Seraphim gets to his feet. Zakaria looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Seraphim cracks the inside of Zakaria's front leg.
Zakaria closes the distance and clinches up with Seraphim, looking for a takedown. Zakaria pushes Seraphim against the cage but Seraphim circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Seraphim jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Seraphim fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zakaria.
Seraphim throws a sloppy head kick and Zakaria moves out of range easily.
Zakaria throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Seraphim's waist but Seraphim gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zakaria off to one side.
Niel Seraphim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mootje Zakaria.
Seraphim throws a head kick but Zakaria moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim throws a sloppy head kick and Zakaria moves out of range easily.

Zakaria tries to keep at a distance but Seraphim has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Seraphim lands a knee to the head.
Seraphim landing knees to the body.
Seraphim scores with a knee to the head.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but Zakaria blocks it.
Zakaria drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zakaria tries to pull guard but Seraphim forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the head but Zakaria blocks with his arms.
Zakaria's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakaria wants to break free but Seraphim has control.
Seraphim lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zakaria is trying to stall.
The referee calls for Seraphim to work.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Seraphim stops a takedown attempt from Zakaria.
Seraphim tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zakaria avoids it.
Seraphim lands a nice elbow.
Seraphim stalls.
Seraphim misses with a knee strike.
Zakaria struggles to land a body shot inside as Seraphim controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Zakaria up against the cage.
Seraphim prevents Zakaria from breaking the clinch.
Seraphim tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Seraphim trying to land knees to the body.
Seraphim misses with a knee to the head.
Seraphim is pressed up against the cage. Zakaria has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Seraphim down to the mat. Seraphim avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Niel Seraphim is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zakaria can't get the takedown.
Mootje Zakaria has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Seraphim connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zakaria's face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niel Seraphim showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Seraphim 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:24
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:25
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niel Seraphim!
Niel Seraphim took some time post fight to say the following; 'That belt is mine'.