PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wilner Fatiman (ranked 2515 p4p, 217 weight class) and Zhan Dhelan (ranked 2961 p4p, 245 weight class). Fatiman's entrance music is Zion Train. A fine choice. Zhan Dhelan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fatiman
vs
Dhelan

173 cm
27
147 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

150 cm
24
145 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wilner Fatiman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zhan Dhelan!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fatiman blocks a body shot from Dhelan.
Dhelan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fatiman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dhelan jumps guard but Fatiman turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dhelan is trying to pull guard but Fatiman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Wilner Fatiman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zhan Dhelan.

Dhelan drags the fight down to the ground.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Dhelan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fatiman is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dhelan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fatiman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dhelan's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fatiman tries to free his leg and advance position but Dhelan is retaining full guard.
Dhelan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fatiman is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatiman trying to control the position from guard on top but Dhelan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Our spies down at at Mello MMA inform us that Dhelan has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Fatiman connects with a couple of short punches.
Fatiman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dhelan on the ground.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Fatiman slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Dhelan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fatiman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Dhelan has his foot on Fatiman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fatiman works his way back into a safe position though.

Dhelan is looking for a triangle but Fatiman pushes his legs off easily.
Dhelan is trying to control the position but Fatiman postures up.
Fatiman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dhelan is keeping the position for now.
Fatiman slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Dhelan wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan trying to keep a closed guard but Fatiman is proving a slippery customer.

Dhelan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fatiman wants to pass the guard but Dhelan is keeping the position.
Fatiman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fatiman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Dhelan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Dhelan looking for a guillotine here but Fatiman defends easily.
Fatiman stopping the sweep attempt from Dhelan.

Dhelan working for a triangle but Fatiman defends it easily.
Dhelan has momentary wrist control but Fatiman slips an elbow through the middle.
Fatiman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fatiman slips nicely into half guard.
Fatiman definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Dhelan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dhelan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan has momentary wrist control but Fatiman slips an elbow through the middle.
Fatiman passes Dhelan's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dhelan regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fatiman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dhelan's head.
Fatiman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fatiman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Dhelan looking for a guillotine here but Fatiman defends easily.

Dhelan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fatiman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fatiman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fatiman trying to control the position from guard on top but Dhelan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dhelan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fatiman controls the pace.
Dhelan wants to sweep here but Fatiman controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fatiman controlling from the top position.
Fatiman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dhelan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Fatiman from controlling successfully.
Dhelan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fatiman's guard.

Dhelan wants to control from the top but Fatiman keeps moving.
Dhelan won't allow Fatiman to sweep him here.
Dhelan sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fatiman's guard.
Dhelan wants to pass to mount but Fatiman is defending the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fatiman trying to hold on to Dhelan's head to control him but Dhelan postures up.
Dhelan prevents Fatiman from improving his position.

Dhelan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Fatiman has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zhan Dhelan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fatiman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fatiman showed some decent athleticism there.

Dhelan looking for submissions off his back.
Fatiman lands with a punch from half guard.
Dhelan tries to roll over but Fatiman keeps him under control.
Fatiman trying to pass the guard but Dhelan defending well.
Dhelan is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatiman wants to control but Dhelan is keeping him busy.
Dhelan moves into full guard.

Dhelan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dhelan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fatiman is one step ahead there.
Fatiman connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Fatiman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fatiman trying to control but Dhelan is working from the bottom.

Fatiman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dhelan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fatiman trying to control but Dhelan is working from the bottom.
Fatiman is really struggling to control Dhelan but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Dhelan working a defensive guard here.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Fatiman stopping the sweep attempt from Dhelan.
Fatiman trying to control but Dhelan is working from the bottom.

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.
Fatiman controlling from the top position.

Fatiman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dhelan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fatiman has managed to get both his arms back between Dhelan's legs - danger averted.

Dhelan working for a triangle but Fatiman defends it easily.
Fatiman scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fatiman is stalling in the full guard.

Dhelan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fatiman is aware though and is defending well.
Fatiman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dhelan's head.
Dhelan can't keep his opponent in guard - Fatiman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dhelan is looking for a sweep. Fatiman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fatiman seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatiman lands strikes from half guard.
Dhelan is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Fatiman.
Fatiman wants to control but Dhelan is keeping him busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dhelan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fatiman preventing the sweep.
Wilner Fatiman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Fatiman stopping the sweep attempt from Dhelan.
Fatiman controlling from the top position.
Dhelan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fatiman's guard.

Dhelan tries to free his leg and advance position but Fatiman is retaining full guard.
Fatiman wants to sweep here but Dhelan controlling him for the moment.
Fatiman is trying to keep Dhelan in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fatiman pulls Dhelan in close to prevent any damage.
Dhelan passes Fatiman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fatiman tries to roll over but Dhelan keeps him under control.

Dhelan is working for a kimura but Fatiman is defending it quite comfortably.
Fatiman wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fatiman is working hard here to advance position.

Dhelan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fatiman is just riding it out for now. Dhelan eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wilner Fatiman will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fatiman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Dhelan to the ground. Fatiman is now in Dhelan's guard.
Fatiman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Dhelan has his foot on Fatiman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fatiman works his way back into a safe position though.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Fatiman from controlling successfully.

Dhelan working for a triangle but Fatiman defends it easily.
Fatiman looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatiman landing some decent shots from guard.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.

Dhelan working for a triangle but Fatiman defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhelan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Dhelan being controlled here, momentarily.
Fatiman trying to control but Dhelan is working from the bottom.
Dhelan wants to sweep here but Fatiman controlling him for the moment.
Fatiman stands and throws Dhelan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fatiman cracks Dhelan with a big right hand but Dhelan just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Fatiman trying to control the action but Dhelan is working from the bottom.
Dhelan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan taking some punishment here, with Fatiman in his half guard.
Dhelan tries to get to full guard but Fatiman has control of the leg.
Dhelan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dhelan controlling the position.
Dhelan controls Fatiman momentarily but Fatiman frees himself.
Fatiman's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Dhelan is looking for a triangle but Fatiman pushes his legs off easily.

Dhelan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fatiman defends well.
Fatiman is working Dhelan over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fatiman looking to pass the guard.
Fatiman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dhelan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fatiman wants to control from the top but Dhelan keeps moving.
Fatiman postures up and lands a big shot to Dhelan's brow.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Fatiman from controlling successfully.
Fatiman slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fatiman postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fatiman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fatiman trying to control the position from guard on top but Dhelan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Dhelan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fatiman is aware though and is defending well.
Fatiman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fatiman trying to control but Dhelan is working from the bottom.
Dhelan wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Fatiman from controlling successfully.
Fatiman connects with a couple of short punches.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Fatiman from controlling successfully.
Dhelan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Dhelan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fatiman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dhelan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fatiman is one step ahead there.
Dhelan is still trying to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fatiman passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dhelan is looking to reverse the position.
Dhelan gets back to half guard.
Dhelan works his way to full guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wilner Fatiman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fatiman 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wilner Fatiman!
After the big win, Wilner Fatiman made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.