PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abul Khayr Belabed (ranked 4297 p4p, 412 weight class) and Zhang Wu (ranked 6664 p4p, 502 weight class). Zhang Wu will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Khayr Belabed
vs
Wu

180 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

179 cm
24
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abul Khayr Belabed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zhang Wu!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belabed closes the distance and clinches up with Wu, looking for a takedown. Belabed pushes Wu against the cage but Wu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Belabed closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Wu did well to prevent Belabed getting side control.
Wu is trying to escape back to his feet but Belabed uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Wu controls the position for a moment.
Wu is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wu is trying to get back to half guard.
Wu tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wu trying to control the hands but Belabed breaks the grip.

Wu is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Belabed gets his way!
Belabed just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Belabed's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wu trying to get back to his feet but Belabed is in full control for now.

Belabed is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Wu trying to get back to his feet but Belabed is in full control for now.
I would not like to be Wu right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wu trying to get back to his feet but Belabed is in full control for now.
Belabed keeps control of the position easily here as Wu tries to buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wu wants to get back to his feet.
Belabed has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Wu's body.
Wu is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Wu looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Wu is trying to get back to his feet but Belabed has full control of the position and if anything, Wu has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Wu is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Wu is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Belabed controls the action.
Wu wants to get back to his feet.
Belabed has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Wu's body.
Wu tries to roll but Belabed sticks to his back.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wu trying to get back to his feet but Belabed is in full control for now.
Wu is in bad spot here.
Wu looks winded!
Belabed really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Wu.
Belabed is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Wu. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Wu is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Wu looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Belabed slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Wu wants to get back to his feet.
What can Wu do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wu tries to escape the position.
I would not like to be Wu right now.
Wu is trying to stand back up.
Belabed lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abul Khayr Belabed dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Belabed throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Wu tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Belabed is in Wu's guard.
Wu is wriggling around but Belabed manages to pass to half guard.

The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Belabed prevents Wu from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belabed slows the pace down in half guard.
Belabed is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Wu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wu is desperately trying to improve his position but Belabed has a good base and remains in mount.
Wu is breathing heavily.
Belabed content just to control the position here.
Belabed has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Belabed seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Wu for as long as he can get away with.
Abul Khayr Belabed overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wu is trying to stand but he's just given Belabed his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wu rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Belabed works his way into side control.
Wu is looking to regain half guard here but Belabed keeps moving and retains side control.
Belabed controlling from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belabed advances to mount.
Wu has given up his back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Belabed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Belabed gets his hands free as Wu looks to control.
Belabed trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Wu doesn't escape.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Further stalling from Belabed.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Wu can't escape the position.
Belabed has good solid back control here.

That's eight 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.
Wu trying to control the hands but Belabed won't let him.

Belabed has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Wu is in real trouble here. Belabed gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Wu is tapping out! Belabed wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Abul Khayr Belabed!