PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Scarpa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kozlav Krivolta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Scarpa's entrance music is TATANKA THEME. A fine choice. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Scarpa
vs
Krivolta

190 cm
24
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 New York, Joe Scarpa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kozlav Krivolta!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krivolta throws a head kick that misses.
Horrible takedown by Scarpa or perhaps it was just good defense by Krivolta which made him look bad.
Krivolta stuffs the takedown attempt from Scarpa. Scarpa gets slowly back to his feet.
Krivolta tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Scarpa swivels and escapes.
Joe Scarpa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Scarpa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Krivolta pinned against the cage. Krivolta gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Scarpa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krivolta shoots for a double leg takedown but Scarpa sprawls well. He's pushed Krivolta's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Krivolta shoots in for a takedown but Scarpa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Scarpa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Krivolta tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Scarpa is in Krivolta's guard.
Krivolta keeping full guard, as Scarpa tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scarpa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Krivolta has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Scarpa has managed to get both his arms back between Krivolta's legs - danger averted.
Krivolta looks gassed!
Scarpa trying to control the position from guard on top but Krivolta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Scarpa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Krivolta on the ground.
Scarpa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Scarpa throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Krivolta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Krivolta is trying to control the position but Scarpa postures up.
Scarpa is stalling in the full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Scarpa.
Scarpa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Krivolta has closed the distance and engaged Scarpa in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Krivolta goes for a takedown attempt but Scarpa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Scarpa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Scarpa scores a takedown into full mount!
Krivolta holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Scarpa tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Scarpa wants to control the pace but Krivolta is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Scarpa unloads with some shots from mount but Krivolta bucks and avoids them well.

Scarpa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Krivolta to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Krivolta shrugs it off.
Krivolta is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Krivolta tries to reverse the position but Scarpa maintains control.
Krivolta is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scarpa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Krivolta quickly recovers to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Scarpa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Krivolta wants to control but Scarpa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Scarpa wants to take a breather but Krivolta is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarpa controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Scarpa.
Krivolta throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Scarpa.
Krivolta with a poor takedown

and Scarpa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Krivolta's guard.
Scarpa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Scarpa looking to pass the guard.
Scarpa trying to control the position from guard on top but Krivolta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Krivolta is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Scarpa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Krivolta manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Scarpa has Krivolta in his guard.
Krivolta wants to control from the top but Scarpa keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Krivolta stands up and waves to Scarpa to follow him.
Krivolta is looking to clinch but Scarpa is avoiding it.
Scarpa shoots in for a double leg but Krivolta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Krivolta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Scarpa tries to avoid it but Krivolta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Scarpa to the ground. Scarpa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Scarpa looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Krivolta looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krivolta trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Scarpa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Scarpa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Krivolta pulls Scarpa in close to prevent any damage.
Krivolta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Scarpa is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Scarpa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Scarpa closes the distance and clinches up with Krivolta, looking for a takedown. Scarpa pushes Krivolta against the cage but Krivolta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Krivolta fails to land the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Scarpa is defended easily by Krivolta.
Krivolta fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krivolta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Scarpa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarpa misses with a combination
and Krivolta counters with a big head kick but Scarpa shrugs it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Krivolta shoots and misses

and Scarpa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Krivolta won't be happy with that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krivolta wants to control but Scarpa postures up.

Scarpa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Scarpa wants to control but Krivolta is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where Krivolta is right now.
Scarpa staying calm.
Scarpa trying to control the position but Krivolta is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpa wants to stand but Krivolta has his arm trapped.
Krivolta sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Krivolta has his hands clasped together around Scarpa's back. He's all about the action.
Scarpa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Krivolta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Joe Scarpa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Scarpa wants to clinch but Krivolta slips to the side

and Krivolta counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Krivolta tries a knee to the head but Scarpa blocks it.
Krivolta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Scarpa tries to circle away but Krivolta has him pinned against the cage.
Scarpa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Krivolta walks away with a smile on his face. Scarpa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Scarpa shoots in but Krivolta avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Krivolta doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Scarpa counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Krivolta's guard now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Krivolta can do anything to dispel that myth.
Krivolta manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Scarpa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Scarpa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Scarpa!