PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 1912 p4p, 1851 weight class) and Jimbo Gregor (ranked 73 p4p, 70 weight class). Jimbo Gregor told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zaire
vs
Gregor

180 cm
34
215
20 - 13 - 0

189 cm
21
242
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abdullah Zaire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jimbo Gregor!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zaire has Gregor up against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zaire throws an elbow but misses.
Gregor misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zaire misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gregor.
I was talking to Zaire's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gregor with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Gregor.
Zaire prevents a body shot from Gregor.
Zaire is trying to pull guard but Gregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Gregor fails to land.
Zaire jumps guard but Gregor turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zaire blocks a body shot from Gregor.
Zaire missing with knees to the body.
Zaire swings wildly with an uppercut but Gregor uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gregor.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire jumps guard but Gregor turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdullah Zaire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gregor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Gregor lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zaire is breathing heavily.
Gregor lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gregor lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot in the inside from Gregor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Zaire fails to land.

Zaire drags the fight down to the ground.
Gregor trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gregor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zaire looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gregor wants to get up but he can't break Zaire's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gregor wants to control from the top but Zaire keeps moving.

Gregor drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zaire dives on top into guard.

Zaire is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gregor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Gregor working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Zaire has passed into half guard!

Gregor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gregor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zaire slips a nice elbow through Gregor's hands, connecting with Gregor's forehead.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gregor looking for subs from the bottom but Zaire mounts him!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gregor can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zaire has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gregor's face.
Gregor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gregor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zaire. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Zaire is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gregor has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zaire dominating with strikes here.
Zaire lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Zaire is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Gregor is surviving well by controlling Zaire's body position as best he can.
Zaire has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gregor's face.
Gregor is looking to get to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire lands a nice shot to the head.
Gregor is looking to get to half guard.
Zaire unloading with bombs!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaire with good strikes from the mount here!
Zaire lands a big elbow.
Gregor is looking to get to half guard.
Zaire putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Zaire looking to control but Gregor is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zaire lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire dominated that round.
That's time! Zaire's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zaire is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gregor's half guard.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.
Zaire has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gregor keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gregor is still trying to improve position.
A nice elbow there by Zaire.
Gregor is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zaire 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregor regains half guard.

Gregor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zaire pulls his head out easily.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.
Zaire landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zaire is looking to take a break and control but Gregor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Abdullah Zaire overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gregor is looking to escape.
Zaire is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gregor!
Gregor keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zaire in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire prevents Gregor from getting the reversal.
Zaire breaks from Gregor's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gregor is looking to get to half guard.
Gregor taking shots to the head.
Zaire putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
BOOM! Zaire connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Gregor is looking to get to half guard.
Zaire postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gregor looks a forlorn figure.

Zaire wants to finish this one by submission but Gregor is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Zaire.
Gregor is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaire trying to control but Gregor is having none of it.
Gregor regains half guard.

Gregor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zaire is trying to control the action in half guard but Gregor is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.
Zaire is nestled in close to Gregor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire slips a nice elbow through Gregor's hands, connecting with Gregor's forehead.

Zaire is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Gregor actively working from the bottom here.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gregor has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Zaire escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Zaire!
Gregor is breathing heavily.
Zaire prevents Gregor from escaping the position.
Gregor is looking for a sweep.
Zaire cracks Gregor with a big elbow.
Zaire scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gregor to see if he's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Zaire or perhaps it was just good defense by Gregor, which made it look bad.
A little jabbing left from Gregor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Zaire 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gregor checks a leg kick.
A jab from Zaire misses.
Zaire fails with the takedown
and Zaire takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire throws a lazy uppercut
and Gregor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gregor throws out a powerful jab.
Gregor stuffs the takedown.
A little jabbing left from Gregor on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdullah Zaire. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregor moves out of range as Zaire throws a body kick.
Gregor doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Gregor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaire throws a jab when Gregor was well out of range.
Zaire throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Gregor to counter with a crisp jab.
Zaire thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gregor.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Gregor.

Zaire dives in and scores a takedown into Gregor's guard.
Zaire is in close to Gregor's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zaire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gregor can do to turn this around?

Zaire drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zaire jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Gregor looking for subs off his back but Zaire has passed one foot through into half guard.
Jimbo Gregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire wants to take a breather but Gregor is having none of it.

Gregor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zaire looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gregor with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gregor has hold of Zaire's hands but Zaire 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!
Zaire lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gregor on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zaire working the head and body with strikes.

Zaire is working for a submission of some sort.

Zaire is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gregor is just riding it out for now. Zaire eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gregor has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Zaire escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Zaire!
Zaire is working Gregor over with some ground and pound from side control.
Zaire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gregor keeps working.
Gregor tries to improve position but can't.
Zaire scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gregor to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaire is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gregor has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gregor tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Gregor takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Zaire working the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Zaire's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Zaire avoids the strikes from the bottom by Gregor.
Gregor is looking to reverse the position.
Gregor takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Zaire is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gregor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gregor is not content to let Zaire control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdullah Zaire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zaire, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdullah Zaire!
An out of breath Abdullah Zaire thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.