PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick Sherpard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giuseppe Zanotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sherpard kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Locust. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sherpard
vs
Zanotti

195 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Sherpard!
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, Giuseppe Zanotti!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sherpard shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zanotti's guard.
Sherpard showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zanotti wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sherpard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Zanotti throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Zanotti has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sherpard is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zanotti.
Sherpard takes a little break here. Zanotti wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Sherpard is chipping away with strikes.

Sherpard is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zanotti knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Sherpard stands up and beckons Zanotti to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanotti is looking to clinch but Sherpard is avoiding it.
Sherpard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sherpard fails with an attempt to clinch.

Zanotti rushes Sherpard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sherpard wants a takedown but no success here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zanotti using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sherpard has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Zanotti has Sherpard pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Zanotti pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sherpard tumbling to the mat - Zanotti dives into Sherpard's guard.
Zanotti pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sherpard is keeping the position for now.
Zanotti looks gassed!
Sherpard wants to sweep here but Zanotti controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sherpard controls Zanotti momentarily but Zanotti frees himself.
Sherpard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sherpard controlling Zanotti's posture.
Sherpard wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sherpard is on top in guard.
Sherpard wants to pass the guard but Zanotti is keeping the position.

Sherpard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sherpard looking to sit in guard and control but Zanotti gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherpard tries to strike from the bottom.

Zanotti drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sherpard dives on top into guard.
Sherpard postures up and lands a big shot to Zanotti's brow.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zanotti is on top in guard.
Zanotti trying to control but Sherpard is working from the bottom.
Zanotti passes Sherpard's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sherpard is refusing to be controlled, as Zanotti sits in half guard.
Zanotti tries to stand and escape but Sherpard is controlling the position.

Zanotti is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Sherpard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zanotti is pressing down on Sherpard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sherpard is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zanotti is looking for a kimura but Sherpard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zanotti to get the leverage.
Sherpard is not content to let Zanotti control the position.

Zanotti is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sherpard defends it well.
Sherpard wants to control but Zanotti is keeping busy.

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

and Sherpard counters with a shoot takedown. Zanotti fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zanotti manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sherpard manages to get himself to full guard.

Zanotti drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Zanotti seems to have locked his on tight now - Sherpard screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Zanotti, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Giuseppe Zanotti!