PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aace Zajac (ranked 4631 p4p, 4744 weight class) and Trae Tricks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zajac
vs
Tricks

157 cm
25
194
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
193
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aace Zajac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Trae Tricks!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tricks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zajac but Zajac pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zajac misses with a body shot.
Tricks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zajac swings for the body but Tricks moves out of range.
Zajac throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tricks counters with an inside leg kick.
Zajac throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zajac misses with a body shot.
Zajac throws a body punch but Tricks moves out of range.
Tricks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tricks wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zajac ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tricks moves away.
Tricks doesn't manage to clinch there - Zajac circles away.

Tricks closes the distance and pushes Zajac back into the cage.
Tricks wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tricks is trying to stall.
Tricks tries to stall but Zajac uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Tricks has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Zajac regains guard immediately.
Zajac is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Zajac will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Zajac manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tricks manages to get himself to full guard.

Tricks being controlled here, momentarily.
Zajac might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac landing some decent shots from guard.
Zajac throws a big right hand that misses.
Tricks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zajac. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zajac working some strikes from top position.
Zajac controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
Zajac is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Tricks is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zajac defends well.
Zajac stands up over Tricks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajac scoring with some ground and pound.
Zajac distracts Tricks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zajac is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zajac could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Zajac is stalling in the full guard.
Zajac throwing strikes from guard but Tricks blocks nicely.
Zajac scoring with punches to the head and body.
Zajac working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
Zajac postures up and lands a big shot to Tricks's brow.
Zajac postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zajac is in close to Tricks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zajac cracks Tricks with a solid left hand.
Zajac lands a couple of digs.
Zajac lands a couple of digs.
Zajac with a nice head shot there.
Zajac lands a couple of elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zajac's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zajac works over Tricks with some ground and pound from guard.
Zajac lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zajac working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tricks's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zajac postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zajac postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tricks is trying to keep Zajac in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aace Zajac dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tricks throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Zajac counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zajac is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tricks can do to turn this around?
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zajac's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zajac scoring with some ground and pound.
Zajac lands a couple of elbows.
Zajac not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Zajac is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zajac with a nice head shot there.
Zajac with a nice head shot there.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zajac lands a couple of elbows.
Tricks doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Zajac works over Tricks with some ground and pound from guard.
Zajac 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.
Zajac looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zajac scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
Zajac postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zajac stands up over Tricks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zajac postures up and lands a big shot to Tricks's brow.
Zajac landing with the ground and pound.
Zajac working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zajac's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zajac stands up over Tricks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zajac is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zajac makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zajac working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zajac slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zajac lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zajac throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tricks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
Tricks is trying to control the position but Zajac postures up.
Zajac keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tricks's head.
Zajac working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tricks's head.
Zajac landing with the ground and pound.
Tricks has momentary wrist control but Zajac slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajac lands a couple of digs.
Zajac scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zajac chips away with some ground and pound.
Zajac scoring with some ground and pound.
Zajac connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tricks wants to stand up but Zajac is controlling him.
Zajac lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zajac's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tricks working a defensive guard here.
Zajac keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tricks's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zajac working some strikes from top position.
Aace Zajac overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zajac is working Tricks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zajac working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zajac scoring with some ground and pound.
Zajac with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zajac is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zajac with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zajac passes into half guard.
Tricks is trying to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zajac connects with a nice short shot to Tricks's temple.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aace Zajac dominated that second round.
That's time! Zajac's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tricks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zajac.
And Tricks responds with a good body kick, but Zajac manages to step out the way in time.
Tricks tries to close the distance and clinch but Zajac swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zajac looks to throw the jab but Tricks is out of range.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aace Zajac seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zajac fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zajac swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zajac fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tricks manages to avoid it.
Tricks misses with a head kick.
Tricks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tricks is looking to clinch.
Tricks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A quick step to the side and Zajac tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zajac looks to throw the jab but Tricks is out of range.
Tricks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zajac.
Zajac misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tricks.
Zajac just misses with a punch to the body.
Tricks avoids the body shot from Zajac.
Tricks wants to counter with a clinch but Zajac pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tricks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zajac swivels and escapes.
Tricks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zajac sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tricks fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zajac checks it well.
A big left from Zajac misses.
Zajac looks to score with a jab to the body but Tricks is just out of range.
Zajac loads up on a big right hand but Tricks slips the punch.
Zajac swings for the body but Tricks moves out of range.
Tricks throws a counter combo.
Zajac throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tricks shoots in but Zajac avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aace Zajac has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Trae Tricks.
Tricks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tricks tries to clinch but Zajac is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zajac. Tricks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Trae Tricks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tricks manages to avoid it.
Tricks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zajac changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nice sprawl there from Zajac as Tricks shoots in.
Tricks closes the distance and clinches up with Zajac, looking for a takedown. Tricks pushes Zajac against the cage but Zajac circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tricks wants to clinch.
Tricks tries to clinch up.
Zajac swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Zajac swings for the body but Tricks moves out of range.
And Tricks tries to counter it with a takedown but Zajac pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Aace Zajac is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zajac takes a swing at Tricks's ribcage but misses.
Sloppy strikes from Tricks. Those never looked like landing.
Tricks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zajac sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zajac misses the shot to the body.
Zajac is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Tricks's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajac just misses with a punch to the body.
Tricks lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zajac has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Tricks goes for a double leg but Zajac avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zajac continues to drive forward.
Zajac stuffs the takedown attempt from Tricks. Tricks gets slowly back to his feet.
Tricks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zajac just misses with a punch to the body.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zajac displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tricks.
Zajac was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zajac throws a body shot but no joy.
Tricks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zajac.
Tricks tries to land a leg kick but Zajac saw it coming and moves away.
Tricks looks for a takedown but Zajac sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tricks shoots for a double leg takedown but Zajac sprawls well. He's pushed Tricks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tricks moves in looking to clinch but Zajac pushes him off.
Tricks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zajac swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tricks avoids the body shot from Zajac.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tricks throws a big shot that misses.
Zajac was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tricks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zajac swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zajac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tricks throws a head kick that misses.
Tricks looks to score with a jab to the body but Zajac is just out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zajac looks to score with a jab to the body but Tricks is just out of range.
Zajac defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tricks.
Trae Tricks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aace Zajac is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zajac showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tricks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aace Zajac showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zajac, 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aace Zajac!
Aace Zajac tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.