PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hoban Washburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Also Zarathustra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Washburn comes to the cage accompanied by Magic Carpet Ride. Zarathustra is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by I Against I. Also Zarathustra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Washburn
vs
Zarathustra

180 cm
21
177 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

185 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hoban Washburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Also Zarathustra!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Washburn is looking to clinch but Zarathustra is avoiding it.
Zarathustra misses with a wild body shot.
Washburn tries to clinch but Zarathustra moves out of range.
Washburn wants to clinch
and Zarathustra counters with a one-two to the body.
Washburn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Washburn wants to clinch.
Washburn tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zarathustra misses with a double jab.
Washburn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Washburn walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Zarathustra looking to score a takedown here. Washburn is defending well but Zarathustra drives through and ends up in Washburn's guard.
Zarathustra pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Washburn is keeping the position for now.
Washburn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarathustra being controlled here momentarily.
Washburn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Washburn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra throws a strike but Washburn rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Washburn won't allow Zarathustra to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Washburn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Zarathustra is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zarathustra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Zarathustra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Washburn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Washburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Zarathustra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zarathustra has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Washburn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Zarathustra is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Washburn defends well.

Zarathustra looking for subs off his back but Washburn has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washburn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Zarathustra is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Washburn pulls his head out easily.
Washburn throwing shots but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.
Ground and pound from Washburn.
Washburn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Washburn throwing shots but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washburn seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zarathustra won't allow Washburn to pass to mount.
Ground and pound from Washburn.
Zarathustra keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Washburn prevents Zarathustra from improving his position.
Washburn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Washburn lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Washburn moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Zarathustra.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Also Zarathustra will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch combination from Washburn misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra tries to land a leg kick but Washburn saw it coming and moves away.
Washburn blocks the body kick.
Washburn checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zarathustra connects with a leg kick. Washburn looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Washburn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Washburn.
Zarathustra misses with a low kick.

Washburn gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Washburn makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Washburn manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Washburn.
Washburn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zarathustra's elbow.
Zarathustra working aggressively here.
Zarathustra blocks an uppercut.
Zarathustra goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zarathustra as Washburn tries to tie him up.
Nice body punch from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zarathustra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zarathustra misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Washburn.
Washburn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Washburn effectively controlling the action here.
A frustrated look appears on Zarathustra's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zarathustra.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Zarathustra misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zarathustra is trying to break the clinch but Washburn is controlling him.
Zarathustra tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Washburn's elbow.
Zarathustra has a couple of punches blocked by Washburn.
Zarathustra tries to work over Washburn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Washburn working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washburn tries a body shot but Zarathustra blocks it.
Zarathustra can't find room to land a body shot as Washburn controls the action.
Zarathustra digs a right hand into Washburn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Washburn's gas tank.
Zarathustra prevents a body shot from Washburn.
Zarathustra's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Washburn blocks a body shot from Zarathustra.
Washburn lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zarathustra backwards.
Washburn tries to work over Zarathustra's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Washburn scores with a nice short uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zarathustra throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Washburn lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zarathustra misses with the head strike.
Washburn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zarathustra wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zarathustra content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Washburn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Washburn.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Washburn as Zarathustra tries to tie him up.
Zarathustra's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zarathustra working hard to break the clinch.
Washburn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Washburn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hoban Washburn will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! 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.

Washburn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zarathustra misses with a takedown

and Washburn counters by moving into the clinch.
Washburn tries to throw a body punch but Zarathustra avoids it by throwing Washburn back against the cage.
Zarathustra is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Washburn misses with a punch on the inside.
Washburn content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Washburn blocks an uppercut.
Washburn stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Washburn as Zarathustra tries to tie him up.
Washburn lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Washburn has a couple of punches blocked by Zarathustra.
Zarathustra misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washburn cracks Zarathustra with a nice body shot.
Zarathustra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zarathustra blocks an uppercut.
Zarathustra tries a body shot but Washburn blocks it.
Washburn is pushing Zarathustra up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short right from Washburn.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Washburn.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zarathustra as Washburn tries to tie him up.
Washburn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zarathustra taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Zarathustra letting Washburn take a breather here.
Washburn scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zarathustra.
Washburn controlling the action here for a moment.
Washburn can't find room to land a body shot as Zarathustra controls the action.
Washburn prevents a body shot from Zarathustra.
Washburn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Washburn has Zarathustra pushed against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Washburn scores with a shot to the side of Zarathustra's head.
Zarathustra is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Washburn as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Washburn.
Washburn lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Washburn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Washburn throws a head punch that misses.
Washburn lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Zarathustra is trying to maintain a safe position but Washburn gets an underhook and turns Zarathustra into the cage.
Washburn is stalling here.

Washburn is fighting off a takedown attempt but Zarathustra is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Washburn to the mat. Washburn regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zarathustra working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Washburn not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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!
Washburn manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Zarathustra can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washburn lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zarathustra hang on?
Washburn scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Washburn trying to control but Zarathustra is having none of it.
Zarathustra working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Washburn scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zarathustra?

And that's the end of the fight!
Hoban Washburn showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Washburn has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hoban Washburn!