PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Abul Khayr Belabed (ranked 3599 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khamid Osman Durnagoz (ranked 2087 p4p, 239 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.

Khayr Belabed
vs
Osman Durnagoz

180 cm
27
155 lbs
7 - 8 - 1

182 cm
26
156 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 7 - 8 - 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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khamid Osman Durnagoz!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Durnagoz.
Belabed's coaches at The Coffee Shop have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Belabed is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Durnagoz off and has taken his back!
Durnagoz is trying to get back to his feet but Belabed has full control of the position and if anything, Durnagoz has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Durnagoz is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Belabed.
Belabed is hanging on to Durnagoz's back as he tries to escape.
Durnagoz trying to control the hands but Belabed breaks the grip.
Belabed controlling from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durnagoz tries to escape the position.
I would not like to be Durnagoz right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Durnagoz is really stuck here.
Durnagoz is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Durnagoz trying to control the hands but Belabed breaks the grip.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durnagoz is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Belabed controlling the position well here. Durnagoz rolled but Belabed kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Durnagoz defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Belabed really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Durnagoz.
Belabed keeps control of the position as Durnagoz tries to break free.

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.
I would not like to be Durnagoz right now.
Belabed gets his hands free as Durnagoz looks to control.
Durnagoz tries to escape the position.
Belabed biding his time, looking for the opening.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belabed throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Durnagoz was covering up waiting for the punch and Belabed finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Belabed is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durnagoz wants to control but Belabed passes easily into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belabed controlling the action here.
Belabed seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Durnagoz for as long as he can get away with.
Durnagoz trying to control from the bottom.

Belabed decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Belabed closes the distance and pushes Durnagoz back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Belabed has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Durnagoz is trying to keep an underhook but Belabed manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Durnagoz wants to stand back up but Belabed manages to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Durnagoz is trying to escape the position but Belabed is controlling the position.
Belabed works to advance to full mount. Durnagoz defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Belabed manages to capitalize on a mistake by Durnagoz to take his back!
Durnagoz is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Durnagoz trying to get back to his feet but Belabed is in full control for now.
Durnagoz tries to roll but Belabed sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
Durnagoz trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Belabed controlling from the back.
Belabed is not going to allow Durnagoz to sit and survive in this position.
Belabed lands an elbow to the side of the head.
You can see the frustration on Durnagoz's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Belabed is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Durnagoz. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Belabed is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belabed has the hooks in. Durnagoz is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belabed will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Belabed scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Durnagoz wants to stand back up but Belabed manages to pass into side control.
Belabed has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Durnagoz tries to improve his position but instead Belabed has taken his back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
I would not like to be Durnagoz right now.
Belabed lands a shot to the head.
Belabed throwing damaging strikes from the back! Durnagoz could be in trouble here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
What can Durnagoz do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Durnagoz is really stuck here.

Belabed is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Durnagoz defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
I really don't envy Durnagoz right now.

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.
Belabed controls the position.
Belabed avoiding Durnagoz 's attempts to control his hands.
Belabed is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Durnagoz is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belabed really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Durnagoz.
Belabed gets his hands free as Durnagoz looks to control.
Durnagoz is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Belabed is staying active.
Belabed trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Durnagoz doesn't escape.
Belabed is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Durnagoz can do to turn this around?

That's four 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.
Durnagoz tries to break free.
Abul Khayr Belabed is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Durnagoz just trying to survive but Belabed is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Khamid Osman Durnagoz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Durnagoz is in bad spot here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abul Khayr Belabed showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belabed, 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abul Khayr Belabed!
A victorious Abul Khayr Belabed thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.