PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between mark ferrell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Zapp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

ferrell
vs
Zapp

183 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

155 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, mark ferrell!
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, Bob Zapp!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ferrell swats away the attempt to clinch by Zapp.
ferrell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
ferrell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zapp shoots in for a double leg but ferrell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
ferrell tries to clinch

and Zapp counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in ferrell's guard now.
Zapp trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zapp should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Zapp looking to sit in guard and control but ferrell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
ferrell sitting in guard here, content to control.
ferrell wants to pass the guard but Zapp is keeping the position.
Zapp looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapp wants to stand up but ferrell is controlling him.
Zapp is trying to keep ferrell in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Zapp doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zapp looks gassed!
Zapp shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and ferrell moves into the clinch.
ferrell has Zapp pressed against the cage.

ferrell manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zapp drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and ferrell dives on top into guard.

ferrell gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ferrell tries for a takedown but Zapp circles away easily

and Zapp counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Zapp trying to control the action but ferrell is working from the bottom.
Zapp stalling.
Zapp is stalling here. ferrell is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Zapp seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and ferrell has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Zapp is looking for a sweep.
ferrell wants to stand but Zapp is controlling his arm.
Zapp is trying to control ferrell's posture but ferrell avoids it.
Zapp is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapp is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on ferrell's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zapp slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
ferrell trying to control but Zapp is working from the bottom.
Zapp is trying to control the position but ferrell postures up.
Zapp looking for a sweep. Not yet Zapp, not yet.
ferrell wants to control from the top but Zapp keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zapp pulls ferrell in close to prevent any damage.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Zapp has eaten all the pies!

Zapp is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
ferrell lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zapp clinches but ferrell breaks the clinch
and ferrell counters with a nice uppercut.
Zapp misses with a takedown
and ferrell counters with a flying knee. Nice.
mark ferrell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Zapp.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
ferrell tries to clinch

and Zapp counters with a takedown into side control.
ferrell is not content to let Zapp control the position.
ferrell tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

ferrell closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zapp on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zapp is staying active underneath ferrell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zapp is trying to maintain the position but ferrell is very close to passing his half guard.
Zapp is refusing to be controlled, as ferrell sits in half guard.
Zapp is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zapp wants to control but ferrell is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zapp taking some punishment here, with ferrell in his half guard.
ferrell thows a huge punch but Zapp dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for ferrell with that takedown attempt.

Zapp looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zapp is thwarting ferrell's attempts to control the position.
Zapp wants to lay and pray for a moment but ferrell keeps working.
ferrell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for ferrell.
Zapp is breathing heavily.
Zapp wants to control from the top but ferrell keeps moving.
Zapp trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

ferrell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
ferrell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zapp on the ground.

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

ferrell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bob Zapp has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zapp wants to stand and escape but ferrell is having none of it.
Zapp trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ferrell stopping the sweep attempt from Zapp.
Zapp has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Zapp has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes ferrell off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
mark ferrell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zapp avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
ferrell works Zapp's body with a nice hook.
ferrell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
ferrell with a poor takedown

and Zapp counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zapp.
Zapp slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
ferrell manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ferrell is trying to control but can't.
Zapp seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but ferrell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zapp prevents ferrell from improving his position.
ferrell tries to kick Zapp off but Zapp keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
ferrell trying to control here.
Zapp is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
ferrell won't allow Zapp to pass to mount.
ferrell tries to kick Zapp off but Zapp keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Zapp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A head kick by Zapp misses

and ferrell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Zapp manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Zapp closes the distance and clinches.

Zapp breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
ferrell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Zapp counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Zapp is working ferrell over with some ground and pound from side control.

Zapp stands up and we're back to a striking position.
ferrell shoots and misses

and Zapp counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for ferrell!
Zapp lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
ferrell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zapp takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
ferrell wants to hold on but Zapp pushes him away.
ferrell is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapp throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Zapp can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as ferrell is looking to escape.
ferrell wants to control but Zapp is having none of it.
ferrell is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
ferrell is trying to escape the mount.
Zapp with good strikes from the mount here!
ferrell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zapp trying to control but ferrell is having none of it.

That's two 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.
Zapp lands a nice shot to the head.
Zapp controlling his opponent.
Zapp with shots to the head and body - ferrell looks very uncomfortable down there.
ferrell is trying to escape the mount.
Zapp lands with some vicious ground and pound - can ferrell hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ferrell is squirming around, avoiding Zapp's attempts to control the action.
ferrell tries to hold on but Zapp postures up.
Zapp landing strikes from the mount and ferrell is in trouble!
Zapp avoids the attempt from ferrell to control.
Zapp working ferrell over with strikes here.
ferrell is looking to improve his position but Zapp isn't that keen on the idea.
ferrell prevents Zapp from taking 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.
ferrell is bucking up trying to escape but Zapp cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Zapp landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zapp wants to control the pace but ferrell is squirming around nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee warns ferrell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
ferrell is wriggling around trying to escape.
ferrell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
ferrell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
mark ferrell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
ferrell wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zapp is trying to work for a kimura but ferrell is defending well.
Zapp not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Zapp comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zapp winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Zapp!