PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Eaton (ranked 5895 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nazharif Haikal (ranked 24087 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazharif Haikal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Eaton
vs
Haikal

183 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ray Eaton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nazharif Haikal!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Chris Dean and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haikal tries a low kick but Eaton avoids it.
Haikal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Eaton circles away.

Haikal looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Eaton!
Eaton manages to get back to half guard.
Eaton landing a few short strikes.
My spies in Cozad MMA Sydney inform me that Haikal has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Haikal prevents Eaton from improving his position.
Eaton moves into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Eaton is on top in guard.

Eaton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eaton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Haikal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Eaton distracts Haikal with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haikal looking for subs off his back but Eaton has passed one foot through into half guard.
Eaton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Eaton prevents Haikal from improving his position.
Eaton is nestled in close to Haikal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Eaton lands strikes from half guard.
Eaton seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haikal has hold of Eaton's hands but Eaton slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Eaton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Eaton working over Haikal with some ground and pound. Haikal looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Eaton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Haikal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Eaton scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Eaton working Haikal over with strikes.
Haikal taking some punishment here, with Eaton in his half guard.
Eaton slips a nice elbow through Haikal's hands, connecting with Haikal's forehead.
Eaton working over Haikal with some ground and pound. Haikal looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eaton is nestled in close to Haikal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Eaton lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haikal is trying to get back to full guard.
Haikal is looking to get back to full guard here but Eaton has managed to pass to side control instead.
Haikal takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Haikal gets back to half guard.
Haikal looks winded!
Eaton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Eaton trying to control the action but Haikal is working from the bottom.
Haikal trying to get back to full guard but Eaton takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eaton lands a couple of good shots and Haikal has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Eaton is landing with strikes from the back.
Haikal takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Eaton is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Eaton. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eaton has the hooks in. Haikal is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Haikal is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Haikal should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Eaton softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Eaton lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Eaton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Eaton is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Haikal up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Eaton dominated 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.

Eaton feints and as Haikal raises his hands in defense, Eaton changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Eaton throwing strikes from guard but Haikal blocks nicely.
Eaton connects with a couple of short punches.
Eaton preventing the sweep.
Eaton distracts Haikal with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Eaton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Haikal has momentary wrist control but Eaton slips an elbow through the middle.
Haikal seems keen to control Eaton's posture.
Ray Eaton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eaton working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Haikal's head.
Eaton stopping the sweep attempt from Haikal.
Haikal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eaton works over Haikal with some ground and pound from guard.
Haikal trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Eaton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Eaton postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Eaton working some strikes from top position.
Eaton landing with the ground and pound.
Eaton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Eaton cracks Haikal with a solid left hand.
Eaton chips away with some ground and pound.
Eaton content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eaton distracts Haikal with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Eaton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haikal can do to turn this around?
Eaton stands up over Haikal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Eaton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Haikal is breathing heavily.
Eaton postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Eaton scoring with punches to the head and body.
Eaton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eaton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Haikal has momentary wrist control but Eaton slips an elbow through the middle.
Eaton working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Haikal's head.
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!
Eaton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Eaton cracks Haikal with a solid left hand.
Haikal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Eaton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eaton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Eaton content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Eaton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Eaton connects with a couple of short punches.
Eaton postures up and lands a big shot to Haikal's brow.
Eaton connects with a couple of short punches.
Eaton is in close to Haikal's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Haikal is looking for a triangle here but Eaton uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Eaton landing strikes.
Eaton works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eaton landing strikes.
Haikal taking punishment in the form of punches.
Haikal takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Eaton lands a few punches from side control.
Eaton cracks Haikal with a big elbow.
Eaton is chipping away with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Check out the look on Eaton's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Eaton working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Haikal is rocked!
Eaton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haikal keeps working.
Eaton lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Haikal closes the distance and clinches up with Eaton, looking for a takedown. Haikal pushes Eaton against the cage but Eaton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Eaton is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Haikal.

Eaton drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Eaton postures up and lands a big shot to Haikal's brow.
Eaton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Eaton scoring with punches to the head and body.
Eaton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Haikal's head.
Eaton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Haikal is still in real trouble! Can Eaton finish him?

Eaton gets to his feet. Haikal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Haikal seems to have recovered his senses.
Ray Eaton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Haikal.
Haikal misses with a head kick.

Eaton moves into the clinch.
Haikal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Eaton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haikal blocks the elbow strike.

Eaton breaks from the clinch.
Eaton swats away the attempt to clinch by Haikal.
Haikal shoots in for a double leg but Eaton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eaton fails to land the takedown.

Eaton clinches up with Haikal and pushes him back against the cage.
Haikal has had enough of the clinch but Eaton keeps him there for the moment.
Haikal lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Eaton or not.
Eaton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haikal has Eaton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Eaton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ray Eaton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nazharif Haikal.
Eaton is pressed up against the cage. Haikal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Eaton down to the mat. Eaton avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Haikal rushes Eaton and presses him up against the cage.

Eaton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eaton leaves Haikal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Eaton wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Eaton fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Haikal sprawls well initially but Eaton persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Eaton seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Haikal has hold of Eaton's hands but Eaton slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haikal tries to kick Eaton off but Eaton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eaton winds up and cracks Haikal with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Eaton is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Eaton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Haikal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Eaton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Eaton looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Haikal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Eaton drops an elbow to the side of Haikal's head.
Eaton lands strikes from half guard.

Haikal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Eaton is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Haikal tries to roll over but Eaton keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eaton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haikal keeps working.
Eaton is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Eaton lands strikes from half guard.
Haikal taking some punishment here, with Eaton in his half guard.
Eaton landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Eaton working Haikal over with strikes.
Eaton drops an elbow to the side of Haikal's head.
Nazharif Haikal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ray Eaton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Eaton lands a nice short elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Eaton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Eaton 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:26
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:26
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Eaton!