PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zhan Dhelan (ranked 2300 p4p, 130 weight class) and Bryson Pico (ranked 2913 p4p, 158 weight class). Pico has chosen Lowkey - G-Eazy as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Dhelan
vs
Pico

150 cm
28
145 lbs
13 - 6 - 1

173 cm
28
138 lbs
6 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Granite chin

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zhan Dhelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bryson Pico!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dhelan looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Pico throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dhelan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pico is keeping the position for now.
Dhelan trying to control the position from guard on top but Pico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pico is trying to control the position but Dhelan postures up.
Dhelan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Dhelan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pico keeping moving, preventing Dhelan from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dhelan passes Pico's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Dhelan is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pico sees it coming and defends easily.
Dhelan tries to pass to full mount but Pico defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dhelan wants to work for an arm triangle but Pico is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dhelan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Pico!

Dhelan is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pico has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Dhelan moves to the back.

Dhelan looking to break Pico's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Pico remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Dhelan will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Dhelan is not going to allow Pico to sit and survive in this position.

Dhelan is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Pico wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pico looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Dhelan has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Pico has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
I really don't envy Pico right now.

Dhelan looking for the choke from the back.
Dhelan tries to keep control of the position but Pico is staying busy.

Pico defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Pico told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

Dhelan working for a choke but Pico is defending well.

Dhelan is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Pico defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pico trying to control the position but Dhelan manages to sink in the hooks.

Dhelan is persistently looking for the submission but Pico is defending it well.

Dhelan has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Pico is defending well but eventually Dhelan manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Pico has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Zhan Dhelan!
Zhan Dhelan was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
In defeat, Bryson Pico stepped up to the mic, saying 'The fans deserved a better performance from me. I will not let them down again.'.