PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Zafran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Starr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Starr told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zafran
vs
Starr

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Zafran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Starr !
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zafran.

Zafran shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Starr is trying to defend but Zafran finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Zafran is trying to control. Starr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zafran trying to control the pace.
Zafran seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Starr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zafran content to control rather than advance.
Starr wants to improve his position but Zafran is controlling well.
Zafran tries to pass to full mount but Starr defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr is trying to maintain the position but Zafran is very close to passing his half guard.
Zafran trying to control from half guard but Starr is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zafran misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Zafran shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Starr is not content to let Zafran control the position.
Zafran with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zafran is working away from the top position though.
Starr is trying to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Starr misses with a takedown

and Zafran counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zafran trying to control but Starr is working from the bottom.

Starr looking for a guillotine here but Zafran defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zafran looking to pass the guard.
Zafran not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Zafran wants to pass the guard but Starr is keeping the position.
Starr trying to keep a closed guard but Zafran is proving a slippery customer.
Starr might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zafran kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Zafran looking to pass the guard.
Zafran content to stall in guard here.

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

Starr escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zafran gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zafran wants to control from the top but Starr keeps moving.
Zafran is breathing heavily.
Starr is trying to keep Zafran in close.
Zafran wants to pass the guard but Starr is keeping the position.
Zafran knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Starr on the ground.
Starr looking for a sweep. Not yet Starr , not yet.
Zafran trying to control the position from guard on top but Starr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Starr gets caught flat footed, as Zafran shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zafran showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Zafran avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Starr keeping moving, preventing Zafran from controlling successfully.
Zafran is fighting to break Starr 's control of his arms but Starr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zafran controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zafran trying to control but Starr is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zafran is really struggling to control Starr but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Starr is trying to keep Zafran in close.
Zafran trying to control but Starr is working from the bottom.
Starr is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Starr gets caught flat footed, as Zafran shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Starr manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Zafran wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starr is working for a guillotine from mount but Zafran frees his head quite easily.

Starr looking to isolate an arm here. Zafran doesn't see it coming and as Starr extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Starr !

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Justin Starr !