PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zak Hilger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Issa Locke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Locke has chosen The Clash - London Calling as his entrance music. Zak Hilger has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hilger
vs
Locke

189 cm
18
285 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

208 cm
25
287 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Heavy handed

[AIM] Hilton Supplements *NYC*

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zak Hilger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Issa Locke!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, David Schapiro and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hilger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Locke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Hilger with that takedown attempt.
Hilger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zak Hilger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hilger shoots in for a takedown but Locke shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Locke moves away from the strike by Hilger.

Locke looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hilger is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Locke not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hilger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hilger looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Locke puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Locke really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hilger. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Locke tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hilger knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hilger really is a fat lump.
Locke prevents Hilger from standing back up.
Hilger wants to improve his position but Locke is controlling well.
Locke takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Hilger looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Locke sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Issa Locke.
Locke digs a good body shot into Hilger's ribs.
Locke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hilger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Locke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hilger moves in looking to clinch but Locke pushes him off.
Hilger fails with a takedown attempt.
Locke misses with a jab, cross combination.
Locke throws a series of punches but Hilger moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Locke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Locke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hilger circles away quickly and effectively.
Locke takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hilger with a lazy takedown attempt
and Locke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Locke throws a series of punches but Hilger moves out of range.
Hilger doesn't manage to clinch there - Locke circles away.
Locke displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hilger is breathing heavily.
Locke throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Locke checks a leg kick nicely.
Hilger fails with a takedown attempt.
Locke goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hilger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Locke.

Locke changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hilger looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Issa Locke dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Locke shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hilger works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hilger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Locke slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilger working a defensive guard here.
Locke stays in close to Hilger's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Locke has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Locke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hilger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Locke passes Hilger's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hilger wants to control but Locke is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hilger is trying to control but Locke passes into side control!
You can see the frustration on Hilger's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Hilger will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Locke throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Locke controlling from side mount.
You can see the frustration on Hilger's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hilger is trying to get back to his feet.
Hilger tries to improve position but can't.
The referee asks Locke politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Locke prefers to stall for the moment though.
Locke creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hilger sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Locke content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Issa Locke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hilger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Hilger tries to clinch
and Locke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Locke rushes Hilger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Locke decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Locke keeping moving, preventing Hilger from controlling successfully.
Hilger would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hilger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hilger is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Locke is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Locke has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke looking to pass the guard.
Locke controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Hilger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Locke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Issa Locke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Locke stopping the sweep attempt from Hilger.
Locke is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hilger might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Issa Locke.
Locke scores with a three punch combo!
Hilger tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Locke counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilger closes the distance but Locke moves to the side

and Locke counters by moving into the clinch.
Hilger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hilger working hard to break the clinch.
Hilger can't get the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hilger is trying to break the clinch but Locke is controlling him.

Locke has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hilger uses from the top position.
Hilger wants to pass the guard but Locke is keeping the position.
Locke looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hilger looking to sit in guard and control but Locke gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Locke content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Issa Locke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Locke has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Issa Locke!