PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Taplin (ranked 3085 p4p, 4288 weight class) and Ayyuken Zi (ranked 357 p4p, 437 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.

Taplin
vs
Zi

187 cm
23
240
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
265
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bobby Taplin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ayyuken Zi!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, William Gold and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Zi.
No luck for Taplin with that takedown attempt.
Taplin throws a half hearted mid kick.

Taplin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Taplin lands in his opponent's guard.
Zi is wriggling around but Taplin manages to pass to half guard.

Zi is in trouble now - Taplin has advanced to mount!
Taplin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Taplin is working for a guillotine from mount but Zi frees his head quite easily.
Zi squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Taplin scoring with strikes but Zi is staying in there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zi's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Taplin controlling the pace for now.
Taplin raining down shots from the mount!
Taplin controlling his opponent.
Zi squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Taplin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zi tries to buck Taplin off but he can't manage it.

Taplin has control of Zi's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Zi regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taplin controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zi tries to buck Taplin off but Taplin takes his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Zi is looking to escape but he's done so without protecting himself and Taplin manages to counter with a nice rear naked choke! Zi is in trouble and he's forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Bobby Taplin!