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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zhan Dhelan (ranked 2383 p4p, 2792 weight class) and Nuri Jafar (ranked 243 p4p, 282 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 150 cm
38
145
29 - 19 - 1 |
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175 cm
39
145
36 - 30 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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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 29 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Zhan Dhelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nuri Jafar!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Topper Green and Donatello Bradman.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Jafar. No joy for Dhelan on that attempt.
Jafar tests Dhelan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jafar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dhelan moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dhelan.
Dhelan has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Jafar misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Dhelan misses its intended target.
Dhelan shoots in for a takedown but Jafar shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhan Dhelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jafar throws a shot to the body.
Dhelan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jafar lands a jab to Dhelan's midsection.
Jafar misses with a hook. Dhelan ducked under it nicely.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Jafar has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Dhelan fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jafar is looking to clinch but Dhelan is avoiding it.
Jafar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dhelan.
A big left from Dhelan misses.
Jafar scores with a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jafar decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jafar gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Dhelan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jafar looks to score with a jab to the body but Dhelan is just out of range.
Dhelan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jafar. Dhelan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jafar connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Dhelan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jafar sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dhelan tries for a takedown but Jafar circles away easily
and Jafar counters by clinching up.
Dhelan wants a takedown but no success here.
A head punch on the inside from Jafar fails to land.
A body shot lands from Jafar.
Dhelan can't get the takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jafar.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dhelan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jafar gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dhelan.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Dhelan has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jafar after a bit of a struggle.
Jafar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dhelan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dhelan blocking some punches.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jafar lands a body punch.
Jafar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jafar misses with a punch to the body.
Dhelan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jafar prevents it.
Jafar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jafar being controlled against the cage.
Dhelan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Jafar is defending well.
Dhelan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dhelan is looking for a takedown.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dhelan.
Dhelan is looking for a takedown.
Jafar pushes Dhelan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jafar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jafar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dhelan backwards.
Jafar misses with a punch to the body.
Dhelan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dhelan lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jafar.
Jafar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dhelan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jafar backwards.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dhelan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jafar prevents it.
Jafar has a couple of punches blocked by Dhelan.
Dhelan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Dhelan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jafar struggles to land a body shot inside as Dhelan controls his hands.
Dhelan looking for a takedown.
Dhelan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jafar pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jafar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dhelan taking a breather.
Dhelan is looking for a takedown.
Jafar tries a body shot but Dhelan blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Jafar.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jafar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dhelan backwards.
A short left from Jafar.
Jafar misses with a punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jafar.
Dhelan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jafar prevents it.
Jafar throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Jafar.
Jafar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jafar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jafar has a couple of punches blocked by Dhelan.
Jafar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dhelan.
A right hand to the body from Jafar.
Dhelan has Jafar pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dhelan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Jafar tumbling to the mat - Dhelan dives into Jafar's guard.
Jafar keeping moving, preventing Dhelan from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nuri Jafar dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
A slow jab from Jafar misses its intended target.
Dhelan tries to counter with a takedown but Jafar is quick to defend against it.
Jafar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dhelan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dhelan is trying to keep Jafar in close.
Dhelan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jafar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jafar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dhelan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jafar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jafar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dhelan is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Jafar wants to get up but he can't break Dhelan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhelan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jafar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jafar trying to control the position from guard on top but Dhelan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dhelan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jafar is looking to stand up but Dhelan won't let him.
Jafar is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jafar controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jafar leaves Dhelan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dhelan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dhelan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jafar.
Jafar throws a shot to the body.
Jafar leaves Dhelan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dhelan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Dhelan jabs Jafar right on the nose. Jafar blinks but takes it well.
Jafar tries to close the distance and clinch but Dhelan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dhelan appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jafar closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Dhelan quickly recovers to half guard.
Jafar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dhelan has managed to free his arm - good work.
Dhelan is not content to let Jafar control the position.
Jafar decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jafar on the side of the head.
A big left from Jafar misses.
A jab from Jafar misses.
Dhelan throws a jab but it's blocked by Jafar.
Jafar appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Dhelan takes one on the button.
Jafar's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dhelan under the eye.
Jafar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A jab from Jafar misses.
Dhelan looks to score with a jab to the body but Jafar is just out of range.
Jafar swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dhelan.
Jafar is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jafar misses the shot to the body.
Jafar stuffs the takedown attempt from Dhelan. Dhelan gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhan Dhelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Jafar.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lull in the action here.
Jafar is looking to take a break and control but Dhelan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jafar stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Nuri Jafar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dhelan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jafar throws a lazy right hand but Dhelan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dhelan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jafar is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Dhelan with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nuri Jafar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Dhelan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Jafar throws a jab when Dhelan was well out of range.
Dhelan blocks a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Jafar misses the target.
Jafar takes a swing at Dhelan's ribcage but misses.
Dhelan throws a jab but it's blocked by Jafar.
Jafar with the counter takedown but Dhelan avoids it easily.
Jafar tries to sprawl but Dhelan drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Dhelan seems content to control.
Jafar has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Dhelan is on him like a limpet, forcing Jafar back against the cage.
Jafar misses with the head strike.
Dhelan blocks a body shot from Jafar.
Dhelan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Jafar.
Dhelan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jafar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jafar working aggressively here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dhelan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jafar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Jafar lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dhelan backwards.
Dhelan changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jafar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Dhelan works the jab nicely.
Dhelan on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Zhan Dhelan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dhelan gets a double leg takedown into Jafar's guard.
Dhelan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dhelan's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dhelan wants to control from the top but Jafar keeps moving.
Dhelan won't allow Jafar to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jafar keeping full guard, as Dhelan tries to pass.
Nuri Jafar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jafar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dhelan manages to get himself to full guard.
Dhelan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jafar controls the pace.
Jafar wanted to stand there but Dhelan had control of the position.
Dhelan keeping moving, preventing Jafar from controlling successfully.
Jafar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dhelan is proving hard to escape from.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan is trying to control the position but Jafar postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Jafar forces his way into half guard.
Jafar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dhelan tries to get to full guard but Jafar has control of the leg.
Jafar trying to control the action but Dhelan is working from the bottom.
Zhan Dhelan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dhelan tries to get to full guard but Jafar has control of the leg.
Jafar is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Dhelan manages to get to full guard.
Nuri Jafar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dhelan is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jafar defends well.
Jafar looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dhelan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jafar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dhelan looking for a guillotine here but Jafar defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jafar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Dhelan, up you get!
And that's the end of the fight!
Nuri Jafar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jafar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nuri Jafar!
Nuri Jafar made sure to mention his sponsor, Savage Fightwear in his post fight interview.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
48% |
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