PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eric Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kreg Yamovitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zimmerman comes to the cage accompanied by Linkin Park-- What Ive Done. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Zimmerman
vs
Yamovitch

177 cm
32
152 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

173 cm
31
155 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kreg Yamovitch!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yamovitch tries to land a front kick but Zimmerman steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zimmerman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yamovitch defends it nicely.
Eric Zimmerman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zimmerman checks a low kick from Yamovitch.

Zimmerman pushes Yamovitch up against the cage in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Zimmerman wants to break the clinch but can't.

Zimmerman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yamovitch tries a head kick but it misses.
Zimmerman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Yamovitch sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zimmerman somewhat.
Zimmerman defending well as Yamovitch loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamovitch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zimmerman.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamovitch throws a push kick but Zimmerman slaps the foot to one side.
Zimmerman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yamovitch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Yamovitch looks to land a body kick but Zimmerman moved away.
Zimmerman throws a nice head kick!
Zimmerman has his takedown stuffed
and Yamovitch counters with a one-two to the body.
Zimmerman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zimmerman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zimmerman with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamovitch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yamovitch misses with a kick to the body.
Yamovitch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Zimmerman.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zimmerman tries to clinch up but Yamovitch circles away and keeps his distance.
Zimmerman has his takedown stuffed
and Yamovitch makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Yamovitch fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yamovitch misses with an attempted mid kick.
A punch combination from Zimmerman misses.
Yamovitch throws a head kick that misses.
Nice body kick from Zimmerman.
Zimmerman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yamovitch's waist but Yamovitch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zimmerman off to one side.
Zimmerman lands with a shot to the body.
Zimmerman throws a hook to the side of Yamovitch's head but Yamovitch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Zimmerman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Yamovitch sprawls well initially but Zimmerman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Yamovitch desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Yamovitch trying to control from the bottom.

Zimmerman decides to return to a standing position.
Zimmerman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yamovitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Yamovitch keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zimmerman.
Zimmerman shoots in but Yamovitch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zimmerman with a poor takedown

and Yamovitch counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Yamovitch.
Zimmerman is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamovitch is struggling to control the position.
A frustrated look appears on Yamovitch's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Yamovitch stalling the fight.
Yamovitch is trying to push Zimmerman away but Zimmerman has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zimmerman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yamovitch trying to stall but Zimmerman improves his position.
Zimmerman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Zimmerman works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yamovitch bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zimmerman's guard.

Zimmerman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Yamovitch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Yamovitch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yamovitch controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Zimmerman dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zimmerman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Yamovitch avoids it really well and circles away.
Yamovitch closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Yamovitch throws a head kick that misses.
Yamovitch is looking to score with low kicks.
Yamovitch circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some bone on bone action there as Zimmerman checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Yamovitch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Yamovitch misses with a leg kick.
Zimmerman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Yamovitch sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamovitch thuds his right hand into Zimmerman's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Yamovitch slips under a jab.
Zimmerman throws a sloppy head kick and Yamovitch moves out of range easily.
Eric Zimmerman is winning the standup battle so far.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zimmerman misses with the combination.
Zimmerman shoots in but no luck this time.
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zimmerman with a lazy takedown attempt
and Yamovitch counters with a three punch combo that has Zimmerman backing up. Zimmerman nods at Yamovitch to acknowledge the strikes.
Zimmerman misses with a jab, cross combination.
Yamovitch throws a head kick but Zimmerman moves out of range.
Yamovitch throws a right and a left that both miss.
Yamovitch throws the kick towards the body but Zimmerman avoids it.
Zimmerman throws a leg kick but Yamovitch sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamovitch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman moves out of range as Yamovitch throws a body kick.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yamovitch sprawls well. Yamovitch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zimmerman gets slowly back to his feet.
Kreg Yamovitch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yamovitch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yamovitch throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zimmerman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zimmerman shoots in for a double leg but Yamovitch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yamovitch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zimmerman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yamovitch.
Yamovitch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A right-left combo lands from Zimmerman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman shoots in for a double leg but Yamovitch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yamovitch finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zimmerman throws a head kick that misses.
Yamovitch avoids the head kick by Zimmerman.
Yamovitch throws a sloppy head kick and Zimmerman moves out of range easily.
Zimmerman stalks Yamovitch and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Yamovitch's face. Yamovitch staggers backwards, shaken.
Yamovitch misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Yamovitch.
Yamovitch throws a leg kick but Zimmerman sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zimmerman throws a head kick but Yamovitch moves out of range.
Zimmerman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yamovitch will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zimmerman throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamovitch walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zimmerman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Yamovitch avoids the head kick by Zimmerman.
Yamovitch is looking to land body kicks.
Zimmerman checks the leg kick.
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt.
Yamovitch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zimmerman's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Zimmerman duly obliges.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zimmerman lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Yamovitch at a distance.
Yamovitch stuffs the takedown attempt from Zimmerman. Zimmerman gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yamovitch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kreg Yamovitch 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. This is the final round!

Zimmerman has Yamovitch up against the cage in a clinch.
Yamovitch trying to control the position but instead, Zimmerman has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yamovitch into the cage.
Yamovitch seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Zimmerman is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Yamovitch gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Yamovitch stalling in the clinch but Zimmerman improves position.
Zimmerman tries for a takedown. No joy.
Yamovitch taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kreg Yamovitch.
Yamovitch leaves Zimmerman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamovitch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Yamovitch.
Yamovitch throws a head kick that misses.
Yamovitch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zimmerman.

Zimmerman manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Yamovitch on his heels. He'll look to pass Yamovitch's guard now, I'm sure.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yamovitch is trying to keep Zimmerman in close.

Yamovitch working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zimmerman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zimmerman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zimmerman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yamovitch pulls Zimmerman in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamovitch trying to keep a closed guard but Zimmerman is proving a slippery customer.
Zimmerman tries to stand but Yamovitch is controlling from the bottom.
Zimmerman preventing the sweep.
Zimmerman throws a strike but Yamovitch rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zimmerman keeping moving, preventing Yamovitch from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Zimmerman being controlled here, momentarily.
Yamovitch won't allow Zimmerman to sweep him here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kreg Yamovitch wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zimmerman throws a head kick that misses

and Yamovitch counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Yamovitch trying to control the position but instead, Zimmerman has worked for underhooks and has pushed Yamovitch into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamovitch stalling in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Yamovitch just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zimmerman's brow.
Zimmerman is looking for a takedown.
Zimmerman tries to break the clinch but Yamovitch is controlling the position.
Yamovitch is looking to control Zimmerman's arms but Zimmerman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Yamovitch has his back to the cage.

Zimmerman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Yamovitch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zimmerman shoots for a takedown but Yamovitch saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Yamovitch thows a leg kick but Zimmerman checks it
and Zimmerman counters with a thumping low kick.
Yamovitch misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kreg Yamovitch.
I think Yamovitch has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kreg Yamovitch!