PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zimmer Zubov (ranked 2829 p4p, 2824 weight class) and Liam LaFonsetta (ranked 399 p4p, 396 weight class). 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?

Zubov
vs
LaFonsetta

197 cm
26
212
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
26
220
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zimmer Zubov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam LaFonsetta!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaFonsetta fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zubov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zubov throws a right and a left that LaFonsetta avoids nicely.

LaFonsetta shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. LaFonsetta showed some decent athleticism there.
LaFonsetta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
LaFonsetta thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
LaFonsetta prevents Zubov from improving his position.
Zubov regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaFonsetta won't allow Zubov to sweep him here.
LaFonsetta wants to control from the top but Zubov keeps moving.
Zubov is pulling down on LaFonsetta's head. It's preventing any offense from LaFonsetta, at least for the moment.
Zubov is looking to stand up but LaFonsetta isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFonsetta postures up in Zubov's guard and throws a big left but Zubov blocks it.
LaFonsetta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zubov wants to stand up but LaFonsetta is controlling him.
LaFonsetta is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
LaFonsetta lands a couple of digs.
LaFonsetta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zubov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
LaFonsetta throws an elbow that misses. Zubov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in LaFonsetta's guard. Nice move by Zubov!

LaFonsetta keeping moving, preventing Zubov from controlling successfully.
LaFonsetta looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Zubov prevents LaFonsetta from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zubov wants to get up but he can't break LaFonsetta's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Zubov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of LaFonsetta's head.
Zubov tries to stand but LaFonsetta is controlling from the bottom.
Zubov wants to control from the top but LaFonsetta keeps moving.
LaFonsetta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zubov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zubov trying to control the position from guard on top but LaFonsetta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zubov preventing the sweep.
LaFonsetta is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
LaFonsetta trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zubov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've been hearing that Zubov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
LaFonsetta throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Zubov connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zubov connects with a couple of short punches.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if LaFonsetta can do anything to dispel that myth.
LaFonsetta throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
LaFonsetta is looking to stand up but Zubov isn't so interested in that idea.
LaFonsetta trying to strike off his back.
LaFonsetta manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zubov manages to get himself to full guard.

Zubov working a defensive guard here.
LaFonsetta cracks Zubov with a solid left hand.
LaFonsetta is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zubov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zubov wants to stand but LaFonsetta is controlling the position.
LaFonsetta won't allow Zubov to sweep him here.

LaFonsetta gets to his feet. Zubov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
LaFonsetta fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zubov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zubov wants it to stay on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from LaFonsetta.
Zimmer Zubov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam LaFonsetta.
LaFonsetta fails to land the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zubov stuffs the takedown.
Zubov needs to keep his hands up - LaFonsetta had a free shot at his head there.

LaFonsetta gets tackled into the cage by Zubov. Zubov maintains the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zimmer Zubov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zubov stuffs the takedown attempt from LaFonsetta. LaFonsetta gets slowly back to his feet.

Zubov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Zubov breaks the clinch.
LaFonsetta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zubov as he jumps to the side.
LaFonsetta displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zubov.
LaFonsetta changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
LaFonsetta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zubov pinned against the cage. Zubov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zimmer Zubov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam LaFonsetta.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaFonsetta shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zubov as he avoids it easily.

LaFonsetta closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zubov quickly recovers to half guard.
LaFonsetta thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zubov's head.
Well, if LaFonsetta is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Zubov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zubov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zubov.
Zubov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
LaFonsetta throwing strikes from guard but Zubov blocks nicely.
LaFonsetta throws a big right hand that misses.
LaFonsetta lands a couple of elbows.
LaFonsetta keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zubov's head.
LaFonsetta lands a couple of digs.
Liam LaFonsetta has got the better of the ground game so far.
LaFonsetta trying to control but Zubov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zubov pulls LaFonsetta in to control the position.
LaFonsetta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zubov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
LaFonsetta landing with the ground and pound.
LaFonsetta stopping the sweep attempt from Zubov.
Zubov is looking to stand up but LaFonsetta isn't so interested in that idea.
LaFonsetta lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
LaFonsetta throws a strike but Zubov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zubov lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFonsetta wants to sweep here but Zubov controlling him for the moment.
Zubov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of LaFonsetta's head.
Zubov lands a couple of elbows.
Zubov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zubov 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.
LaFonsetta wants to sweep but no luck.
Zubov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of LaFonsetta's head.
LaFonsetta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zubov is one step ahead there.
Zubov trying to control the position from guard on top but LaFonsetta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zubov distracts LaFonsetta with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zubov is stalling in the full guard.
Zubov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zubov working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zubov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zubov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
LaFonsetta wants to sweep here but Zubov controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zubov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zimmer Zubov 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

LaFonsetta closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - LaFonsetta lands in his opponent's guard.
LaFonsetta works over Zubov with some ground and pound from guard.
LaFonsetta scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
LaFonsetta throws a strike but Zubov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

LaFonsetta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zubov is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaFonsetta is still trying to improve position.
LaFonsetta will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
LaFonsetta trying to strike off his back.
LaFonsetta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zubov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zubov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
LaFonsetta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zubov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zubov cracks LaFonsetta with a solid left hand.
Zubov landing with the ground and pound.
Zubov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
LaFonsetta wants to get back to his feet but Zubov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zubov works over LaFonsetta with some ground and pound from guard.
Liam LaFonsetta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LaFonsetta has a closed guard, preventing Zubov from standing up.
LaFonsetta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zubov is controlling him.
LaFonsetta trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Zubov scoring with punches to the head and body.
LaFonsetta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zubov trying to control the position from guard on top but LaFonsetta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
LaFonsetta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
LaFonsetta shoots in looking for a takedown. Zubov tries to sprawl out of it but LaFonsetta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zubov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zubov stuffs the takedown attempt from LaFonsetta. LaFonsetta gets slowly back to his feet.
Zubov tries to clinch up.
Zubov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
LaFonsetta shoots in for a takedown but Zubov shows good takedown defense.
Zimmer Zubov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam LaFonsetta.
Zubov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Zubov has LaFonsetta up against the cage in a clinch.
LaFonsetta tries to pull guard but Zubov holds him up against the cage and eventually LaFonsetta drops back down to his feet.

Zubov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zimmer Zubov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

LaFonsetta shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zubov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from LaFonsetta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaFonsetta is thwarting Zubov's attempts to control the position.
LaFonsetta thows a huge punch but Zubov dodges it nicely.
Zubov is looking to escape.
Zubov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zubov is trying to keep LaFonsetta in close.
Zubov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from LaFonsetta.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zubov wants to stand but LaFonsetta is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zimmer Zubov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zubov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zimmer Zubov!