PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abu Dhabi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Ramirez told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Dhabi
vs
Ramirez

179 cm
25
179 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
169 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Abu Dhabi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthony Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ramirez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ramirez is looking to take a break and control but Dhabi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dhabi tries to buck Ramirez off but Ramirez is having none of it.
Dhabi tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Ramirez presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Ramirez putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Ramirez content just to control the position here.
Dhabi is squirming around, avoiding Ramirez's attempts to control the action.
Dhabi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhabi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ramirez cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Dhabi working to try and regain half guard.
Dhabi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ramirez is controlling Dhabi's posture.
Ramirez keeping moving, preventing Dhabi from controlling successfully.
Ramirez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Dhabi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ramirez's guard.
Ramirez keeping hold of Dhabi's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhabi wants to pass to mount but Ramirez is defending the position.
Ramirez wants to improve his position but Dhabi is controlling well.
Dhabi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Dhabi wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.
Ramirez is controlling Dhabi's trapped leg to prevent Dhabi from advancing to side control.
Dhabi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ramirez is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dhabi has control of Ramirez's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ramirez regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez working to try and regain half guard.
Dhabi avoids the attempt from Ramirez to control.
Dhabi tries to control but Ramirez wriggling away.

Dhabi with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Ramirez wants to hold on but Dhabi pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Dhabi goes for an armbar but Ramirez turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ramirez.
Dhabi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dhabi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dhabi is looking to advance position but Ramirez won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ramirez is not content to let Dhabi control the position.
Ramirez wants to control but Dhabi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Ramirez will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ramirez connects with a right hand. Dhabi shakes it off.

It looks like Abu Dhabi has been cut.
Ramirez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ramirez wants it to stay on the feet.
Abu Dhabi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dhabi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ramirez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dhabi, pushing him back against the cage.

Ramirez gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Dhabi regains guard.
Dhabi has a closed guard, preventing Ramirez from standing up.
Dhabi trying to control the position.
Ramirez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ramirez working the head and body with strikes.
Ramirez is trying to control. Dhabi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ramirez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dhabi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez prevents Dhabi from improving his position.
Ramirez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dhabi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Dhabi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ramirez pulls his head out easily.
Ramirez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Ramirez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dhabi has managed to free his arm - good work.

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.
Dhabi is looking for a sweep. Ramirez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dhabi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dhabi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ramirez distracts Dhabi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Ramirez gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Dhabi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ramirez as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Dhabi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ramirez misses with a head kick.
Dhabi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dhabi or perhaps it was just good defense by Ramirez, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ramirez shoots in for a double leg but Dhabi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice body kick from Ramirez.

Ramirez closes the distance and clinches.

Ramirez breaks the clinch.

Ramirez takes the fight into the clinch.
Ramirez slowing the pace effectively.
Ramirez looking to throw knees to the head but Dhabi is blocking nicely.
Dhabi wants to take the fight to the mat but Ramirez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Ramirez has clasped his hands together around Dhabi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ramirez trying to control the action but Dhabi is working from the bottom.
Dhabi is looking to regain half guard here but Ramirez keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhabi can't do much from the bottom here.

Ramirez stands up and beckons Dhabi to his feet.
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!

Ramirez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Dhabi is looking for a sweep.
Ramirez trying to control the position but Dhabi is working away.
Ramirez is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Ramirez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Abu Dhabi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dhabi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ramirez defends it nicely.
Ramirez misses with a few strikes there.

Ramirez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ramirez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dhabi's elbow.
Ramirez lands an elbow that stopped Dhabi in his tracks for a moment.
Dhabi is working for takedown but Ramirez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dhabi is working for takedown but Ramirez is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abu Dhabi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ramirez pulls guard.

Ramirez scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ramirez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Dhabi was covering up waiting for the punch and Ramirez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dhabi wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ramirez won't allow Dhabi to sweep him here.

Ramirez stands and steps away. Dhabi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ramirez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ramirez lands a couple of elbows.

Ramirez stands and steps away. Dhabi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ramirez lands a big head kick that sends Dhabi tumbling to the mat! Ramirez takes a step backwards and waves Dhabi back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Dhabi is rocked!
I'm just looking down at my notes here and I see that.... oh! Ramirez has cracked Dhabi with a big right, followed by a left! He's out on his feet! Ramirez lands another huge swinging hook and Dhabi tumbles to the canvas! The ref dives in to save Dhabi, before Ramirez can land any more shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Anthony Ramirez!