PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gigantcer Zek (ranked 7788 p4p, 698 weight class) and Atif Muhammad (ranked 9136 p4p, 732 weight class). Atif Muhammad has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zek
vs
Muhammad

170 cm
23
250 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
245 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gigantcer Zek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Atif Muhammad!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muhammad gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Zek moves into the clinch.
Zek could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Zek gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Zek is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Zek won't allow Muhammad to get back to his feet.
Zek might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zek with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

It looks like Atif Muhammad has been cut.
Zek trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Muhammad wants to get back to his feet but Zek is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Zek throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Muhammad tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zek is in Muhammad's guard.
Muhammad can't keep his opponent in guard - Zek advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Muhammad tries to roll over but Zek keeps him under control.

Zek stands up and beckons Muhammad to join him on the feet.
Muhammad lets loose with a powerful body kick. Zek will feel that in the morning.
Muhammad displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zek.
Zek is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zek misses with a takedown attempt - Muhammad sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Muhammad tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zek fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gigantcer Zek. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zek shoots in looking for a takedown. Muhammad tries to sprawl out of it but Zek keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muhammad manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Zek as Muhammad shoots in.
Muhammad misses with a series of wild punches.
Zek was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zek tries to close the distance and clinch but Muhammad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zek walks into a left hand.

It looks like Gigantcer Zek has been cut.
Muhammad fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Muhammad tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muhammad shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zek defends it nicely.
Muhammad tries to close the distance and clinch but Zek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zek throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Muhammad's waist but Muhammad gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zek off to one side.
Muhammad shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zek but Zek pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Muhammad gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zek looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Zek decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Muhammad tries to land a body kick

and Zek counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!

Muhammad pushes Zek off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gigantcer Zek dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Muhammad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Muhammad will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zek looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Muhammad tries to close the distance and clinch but Zek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muhammad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zek moves away.

Zek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Muhammad, pushing him back against the cage.
Muhammad just leaning against Zek, taking a breather.
Muhammad is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zek is defending well.
Zek stalling in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zek pulls guard successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Muhammad accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zek wants to stand but Muhammad is controlling the position.
Gigantcer Zek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Muhammad wants to control from the top but Zek keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zek trying to control the position here.

Zek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Zek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Muhammad can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zek keeping moving, preventing Muhammad from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhammad tries to free his leg and advance position but Zek is retaining full guard.
Zek wants to get back to his feet but Muhammad is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Muhammad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zek swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zek shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Muhammad feints the counter takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Muhammad blocks the leg kick.
Muhammad throws a combination. Zek tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Muhammad is defended easily by Zek.
Gigantcer Zek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Atif Muhammad.
Muhammad dives in and grabs Zek's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zek pushes down on Muhammad's head and hops out.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zek tries to pull guard but Muhammad holds him up against the cage and eventually Zek drops back down to his feet.

Muhammad manages to break the clinch.

Muhammad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Muhammad breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zek shoots in but no luck this time.
Zek is looking to clinch but Muhammad is avoiding it.
Zek closes the distance looking to clinch
and Muhammad counters with a big head kick but Zek shrugs it off.
Muhammad misses with a head kick.
Atif Muhammad seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Muhammad lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zek shoots in but Muhammad avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Muhammad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zek has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Muhammad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muhammad trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Zek manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Zek gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atif Muhammad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zek gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Muhammad counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A jab from Zek finds it's way through Muhammad's defenses.
Zek avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Muhammad shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zek counters by moving into the clinch.
Muhammad letting Zek take a breather here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zek - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Muhammad blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammad is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zek to keep the fight standing.
Muhammad is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zek is trying to drag Muhammad to the mat but Muhammad just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gigantcer Zek. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Muhammad pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Muhammad is looking to clinch but Zek is avoiding it.
Muhammad lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zek's sensitive parts.
Muhammad shoots in for a takedown but Zek shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A little feinted left hand from Zek on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Muhammad swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad wants to clinch.

Zek shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Muhammad napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Muhammad is looking to regain half guard here but Zek keeps moving and retains side control.
Zek throws a strike aimed at the side of Muhammad's head but Muhammad avoids it well.
Muhammad is trying to control Zek's posture but Zek avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zek stands up.
Muhammad lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Muhammad scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Muhammad really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zek. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zek slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zek lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Zek pushing down on Muhammad's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad wants to get back to full guard.
Zek trying to control from half guard but Muhammad is working away.
Muhammad is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zek trying to control from half guard but Muhammad is working away.
Zek keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gigantcer Zek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gigantcer Zek!