PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hayder Abdul Rahman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Nufir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Abdul Rahman
vs
Nufir

183 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
167 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hayder Abdul Rahman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Nufir!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Abdul Rahman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Abdul Rahman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Nufir throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Nufir closes this distance looking for a takedown but Abdul Rahman circles away.
Abdul Rahman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nufir tries to avoid it but Abdul Rahman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nufir to the ground. Nufir escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Abdul Rahman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nufir wants to get back to his feet.

Nufir manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Abdul Rahman keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Nufir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Abdul Rahman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Abdul Rahman tightens his grip and picks Nufir up, before dumping him to the ground. Nufir manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nufir working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abdul Rahman.
Abdul Rahman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Abdul Rahman tries to stand but Nufir is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Rahman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Abdul Rahman trying to control but Nufir is working from the bottom.

Nufir is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nufir is trying to break the clinch but Abdul Rahman is controlling him.
Nufir wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nufir is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Abdul Rahman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hayder Abdul Rahman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Nufir.
Abdul Rahman prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nufir blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Abdul Rahman leaning his opponent against the cage.

Abdul Rahman lands a takedown into guard.
Abdul Rahman trying to control the position from guard on top but Nufir is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdul Rahman prevents Nufir from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Rahman trying to control but Nufir is working from the bottom.
Abdul Rahman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Abdul Rahman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Abdul Rahman throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Abdul Rahman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nufir swats away the attempt to clinch by Abdul Rahman.
Nufir lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice sprawl there from Abdul Rahman as Nufir shoots in.
Nufir shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nufir looks winded!
Abdul Rahman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nufir pinned against the cage. Nufir gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nufir shoots in but no luck this time.
Abdul Rahman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nufir as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Abdul Rahman as Nufir shoots in.
Abdul Rahman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Abdul Rahman shoots in and drives through. Nufir sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nufir.

Nufir tries to keep at a distance but Abdul Rahman has taken the fight into the clinch.

Abdul Rahman has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Nufir is trying to keep an underhook but Abdul Rahman manages to get the takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Max Nufir will probably get the nod.
That's time! Abdul Rahman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Abdul Rahman fails with the takedown
and Nufir counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Abdul Rahman thinking.
Nufir tries for a takedown but Abdul Rahman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nufir looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Abdul Rahman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nufir did well to prevent Abdul Rahman getting side control.
Abdul Rahman wants to free his trapped foot but Nufir is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nufir is looking to escape.
Well, if Abdul Rahman is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Rahman prevents Nufir from standing back up.
Nufir is breathing heavily.

Abdul Rahman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nufir is just riding it out for now. Abdul Rahman eventually gives up the hold.
Max Nufir has got the better of the ground game so far.
Abdul Rahman trying to control from half guard but Nufir is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Abdul Rahman is looking to clinch.
Abdul Rahman shoots in looking for a takedown. Nufir tries to sprawl out of it but Abdul Rahman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nufir manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two 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.
Nufir shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Abdul Rahman sprawls well. Abdul Rahman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nufir gets slowly back to his feet.
Nufir shoots in but Abdul Rahman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Abdul Rahman attempts a counter takedown but Nufir avoids it well and moves away.
Hayder Abdul Rahman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Nufir.

Abdul Rahman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Abdul Rahman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nufir postures up.

Abdul Rahman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Abdul Rahman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Abdul Rahman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nufir controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nufir must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Abdul Rahman is looking for a triangle but Nufir pushes his legs off easily.
Abdul Rahman 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.
Nufir is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Abdul Rahman is striking off his back. Nufir thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Nufir with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

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.
Nufir throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nufir missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nufir throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Abdul Rahman is trying to get back to full guard.
Nufir content to control rather than advance.
Nufir prevents Abdul Rahman from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abdul Rahman tries to kick Nufir off but Nufir keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nufir lands with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Max Nufir will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nufir shoots in but no luck this time.

It looks like Hayder Abdul Rahman has been cut.

Abdul Rahman feints and as Nufir raises his hands in defense, Abdul Rahman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Abdul Rahman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Abdul Rahman trying to control the position from guard on top but Nufir is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdul Rahman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nufir is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nufir keeping moving, preventing Abdul Rahman from controlling successfully.
Abdul Rahman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdul Rahman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Abdul Rahman seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nufir for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nufir takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nufir.
Abdul Rahman attempts a counter takedown but Nufir avoids it well and moves away.
Abdul Rahman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Abdul Rahman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hayder Abdul Rahman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Nufir.
Abdul Rahman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nufir defends well and Abdul Rahman ends up having to push Nufir into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nufir unleashes a big counter combination but Abdul Rahman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Abdul Rahman dives in and grabs Nufir's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nufir pushes down on Abdul Rahman's head and hops out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nufir.
As Nufir looks to move away, Abdul Rahman throws a big counter combo but Nufir just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abdul Rahman moves into range and clinches up with Nufir.
Abdul Rahman gets underhooks to prevent Nufir's takedown attempt.

Abdul Rahman pulls guard effortlessly.

Abdul Rahman working for a triangle but Nufir defends it easily.
Nufir passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Abdul Rahman managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nufir.
Abdul Rahman is not content to let Nufir control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdul Rahman gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nufir seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nufir prevents Abdul Rahman from standing back up.
Max Nufir is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Abdul Rahman is looking to improve his position.
Abdul Rahman flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nufir is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Abdul Rahman is looking to control Nufir's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Abdul Rahman avoid being mounted?

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.
Nufir controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Nufir has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Nufir missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Still in half guard, Nufir seems content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nufir fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abdul Rahman avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hayder Abdul Rahman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nufir has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Max Nufir!