PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Slater (ranked 1725 p4p, 1427 weight class) and Olan Zapina (ranked 148 p4p, 130 weight class). Johnny Slater had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 147.4lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Johnny Slater had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Slater
vs
Zapina

183 cm
30
161
12 - 9 - 0

174 cm
30
150
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Fast

Shadow Realm Apparel
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Slater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Olan Zapina!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Slater shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zapina won't allow Slater to pass to mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zapina can do anything to dispel that myth.
Slater not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zapina keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Slater has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Slater is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zapina has hold of Slater's hands but Slater slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Slater sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zapina defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater thows a huge punch but Zapina dodges it nicely.
Zapina on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Slater throwing shots but Zapina is blocking nicely.
Slater landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Slater missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slater drops an elbow to the side of Zapina's head.
Slater is looking to take a break and control but Zapina is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Slater is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Zapina blocking the ground and pound attempt from Slater.
Zapina blocking the ground and pound attempt from Slater.
Slater throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Zapina to regain full guard.
Slater distracts Zapina with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Slater in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Slater throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Slater throwing strikes from guard but Zapina blocks nicely.
Slater postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Slater postures up in Zapina's guard and throws a big left but Zapina blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater postures up in Zapina's guard and throws a big left but Zapina blocks it.
Slater throwing strikes from guard but Zapina blocks nicely.
Slater postures up in Zapina's guard and throws a big left but Zapina blocks it.
Slater lands a couple of digs.
Slater working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zapina's head.
Slater is looking to work some ground and pound but Zapina has wrist control.
Slater throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zapina works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Slater scoring with punches to the head and body.
Zapina working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Slater.
Slater wants to control from the top but Zapina keeps moving.
Slater is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Slater works over Zapina with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zapina swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slater accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Slater trying to control but Zapina is working from the bottom.
Zapina seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zapina really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Slater. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slater accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slater makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Slater with a nice head shot there.
Slater trying to control the position from guard on top but Zapina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Slater slips nicely into half guard.
Slater lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapina tries to get to full guard but Slater has control of the leg.
Zapina is staying active underneath Slater, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zapina has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Slater misses with a head shot. Zapina uses the momentum to regain guard.
Slater lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Slater advances to half guard.
Slater throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Slater thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zapina's head.
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. Slater connects with a nice short shot to Zapina's temple.
Slater is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Slater thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zapina's head.
Slater is trying to control. Zapina wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Slater dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Slater looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zapina is fending him off so far but Slater persists. Nope, Zapina circles away and we're back to standing.
Zapina is trying to counter with his kicks.
Slater shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zapina as he avoids it easily.
A big right from Slater misses.
Zapina throws a big counter head kick but Slater avoids it with no problem.
Zapina lands a high kick!
Slater shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zapina but Zapina pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zapina shapes to counter with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Slater. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slater shoots in looking for a takedown. Zapina tries to sprawl out of it but Slater keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zapina manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapina is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zapina lands a nice looking kick to the body. Slater takes a step back to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Slater or perhaps it was just good defense by Zapina, which made it look bad.
Zapina is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Slater tries for a takedown but Zapina sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zapina is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zapina scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zapina thows a left - swing and a miss!
A low kick lands for Zapina.
Zapina throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Slater is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zapina can do to turn this around?
Zapina lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Slater on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Slater shoots and misses
and Zapina counters with a slapping leg kick.
Johnny Slater seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Slater blocks a head kick by Zapina.
Zapina scores with a body shot.
Zapina lands a nice leg kick that just misses Slater's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A solid body kick from Zapina.
Zapina connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Olan Zapina is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zapina throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zapina comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zapina changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zapina throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Zapina scores with a nice body kick.
Zapina scores with a body shot.
Slater takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zapina. Slater shrugs it off though.
Zapina throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A low kick lands for Zapina.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater tries for a takedown but Zapina circles away easily
and Zapina counters with a body kick.
Zapina explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Nice body kick from Zapina.
Zapina is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Slater rather than just go for the knockout.

Zapina lands a big head kick that sends Slater tumbling to the mat! Zapina takes a step backwards and waves Slater back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Slater is rocked!
Slater takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Zapina tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Slater paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Slater was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Zapina tries to clinch up but Slater circles away and keeps his distance.
Zapina misses with a body kick.
Slater appears to be looking for a big counter.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zapina.
Slater takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slater tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zapina sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Slater somewhat.
Slater looks for a takedown but Zapina sprawls well.
Slater shoots in looking for a takedown but Zapina manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Slater's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zapina counters with a body kick.
A left lands for Zapina.
Zapina leaves Slater with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zapina connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Oh Slater is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Slater is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zapina misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olan Zapina showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! 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.

Slater steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Zapina. That one must have hurt.
Slater seems to have got his legs back now.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Slater.
Slater throws an elbow but Zapina slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zapina tries to bench press Slater off him but Slater keeps the position.
Zapina is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Slater tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Slater in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Zapina is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slater in side control, throwing shots but Zapina defends.
Slater is looking to take a break and control but Zapina is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnny Slater overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Slater looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zapina is avoiding damage well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Slater seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Zapina managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Slater.
Slater creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zapina sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Slater misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Slater misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Slater wants to control but Zapina is keeping him busy.
Slater scoring with punches from side control.
Slater lands a nice forearm strike.
Slater scores with a couple of short elbows.
Slater creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zapina sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slater throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Zapina is not content to let Slater control the position.
Slater in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Slater postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Slater scoring with punches and elbows.
Slater working the ground and pound.
Slater 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.
Slater trying to control the action but Zapina is working from the bottom.
Zapina takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slater working the ground and pound.
Slater fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Slater fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Slater grinds an elbow into Zapina's temple.
Slater cracks Zapina with a big right hand but Zapina just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Zapina is rocked!
Slater is putting a hurting on Zapina here, landing some big shots from side control.
Zapina is still in real trouble! Can Slater finish him?
Slater lands a strong strike to the head of Zapina. That's dazed him! Slater looking to finish here. Zapina is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Slater lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johnny Slater!
Johnny Slater made sure to mention his sponsor, Furnace Performance 🔥 in his post fight interview.