PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hugh Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Zikic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zikic has chosen Matt Redman - Blessed Be Your Name as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Armstrong
vs
Zikic

180 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Physical Entertainment Development Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Hugh Armstrong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, James Zikic !
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zikic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Armstrong fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zikic throws a nice looking combination but Armstrong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zikic slaps away a takedown attempt from Armstrong, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick misses from Zikic .
Zikic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Zikic . Those never looked like landing.

Armstrong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zikic is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zikic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zikic wants to get back to striking at distance but Armstrong won't allow it.
Armstrong has Zikic pressed against the cage, preventing Zikic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Armstrong is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zikic to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zikic breaks from the clinch.
James Zikic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Armstrong tries to clinch up.
Zikic throws a head kick that misses
and Armstrong makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Zikic really felt that one!
Zikic throws a head kick that misses
and Armstrong counters with a nice kick to the body.
Zikic throws a lazy head kick
and Armstrong makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zikic throws a right hand that misses
and Armstrong counters with an outside leg kick.
Zikic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Armstrong moves away.
Zikic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice sprawl there from Zikic as Armstrong shoots in.
Zikic throws a sloppy head kick

and Armstrong counters by moving into the clinch.
Armstrong prevents Zikic from breaking the clinch.
Zikic is trying to break free.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zikic tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Armstrong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zikic swinging wildly here.

Zikic gets tackled into the cage by Armstrong. Armstrong maintains the clinch.
Armstrong tries for a takedown but Zikic manages to get underhooks.
Zikic is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Armstrong tries to pull guard but Zikic won't allow it.
Zikic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zikic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Armstrong tries for a takedown. No joy.
Armstrong is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is trying to drag Zikic to the mat but Zikic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Armstrong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Armstrong goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zikic prevents it.
Zikic wants to break free but Armstrong has control.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch but Armstrong keeps him there for the moment.
Armstrong lands a knee to the body.
Armstrong is trying to stall.
Armstrong has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zikic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong breaks the clinch.

Armstrong fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zikic , pushing him back against the cage.
Zikic is trying to break the clinch but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.
Zikic is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Armstrong works on Zikic 's body with a couple of short punches.
Zikic tries to circle away but Armstrong has him pinned against the cage.
Zikic is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Armstrong is trying to drag Zikic to the mat but Zikic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Armstrong is breathing heavily.
Zikic is defending well against a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A frustrated look appears on Zikic 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Armstrong has Zikic pressed against the cage, preventing Zikic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Armstrong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Zikic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Armstrong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A slapping body kick lands there for Armstrong.
Zikic throws a head kick that misses

and Armstrong counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zikic won't be happy with that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zikic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Armstrong is controlling him well.
Armstrong takes a little break here. Zikic wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zikic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Armstrong controls the position.
Zikic is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Armstrong is controlling him well.
Zikic parries the strikes from Armstrong easily there. Armstrong is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Zikic to escape.
Armstrong happy to just control the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zikic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong throws an elbow but Zikic slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zikic avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Armstrong.
Zikic wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong drags him back down.
Zikic seems a little lost for a moment, as Armstrong dominates the positioning.
Armstrong is looking to take a break and control but Zikic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Armstrong prevents Zikic from escaping the position.
Zikic tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Zikic is breathing heavily.
Armstrong throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Zikic because Armstrong loaded up on that one.
Armstrong won't let Zikic get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong content just to control the position here.
Armstrong tries to control but Zikic wriggling away.
Zikic trying desperately to get to his feet.
Armstrong throws some wild stikes that Zikic manages to avoid easily.
Armstrong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong won't let Zikic get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Armstrong looking to control and managing it successfully.
Armstrong throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zikic trying desperately to get to his feet.
Armstrong lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Armstrong working Zikic over with strikes here.

Zikic somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Zikic throws a sloppy head kick
and Armstrong counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zikic takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zikic throws a sloppy head kick

and Armstrong counters by clinching up.
Armstrong tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.

Armstrong breaks the clinch.
James Zikic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zikic throws a head kick that misses
and Armstrong counters with a head kick. That will keep Zikic thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Zikic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick by Zikic misses
and Armstrong counters with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong rushes Zikic and presses him up against the cage.
Zikic is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Armstrong with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Armstrong.
Armstrong is pushing Zikic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Zikic is looking to break free of the clinch but Armstrong has double underhooks.
Zikic prevents the takedown attempt.
Zikic working hard to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch but Armstrong keeps him there for the moment.
Armstrong is working for takedown but Zikic is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Armstrong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zikic throws a shot from downtown. Armstrong moves away and avoids it.
Zikic throws a hook but Armstrong blocks it.
Zikic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Armstrong.
Zikic throws a lazy head kick
and Armstrong makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zikic throws a head kick but Armstrong moves out of range.

Armstrong instigates a clinch.
Armstrong tries to score a body lock takedown but Zikic shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hugh Armstrong has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Armstrong wants a takedown.
Armstrong goes for a takedown attempt but Zikic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hugh Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armstrong slips a jab from Zikic .
Zikic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zikic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zikic swings for the body but Armstrong moves out of range.
Zikic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zikic throws a head kick that misses
and Armstrong counters with a left and a right that stings Zikic .
Armstrong tries for a takedown but Zikic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
James Zikic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zikic throws a sloppy head kick

and Armstrong moves into the clinch.
Zikic letting Armstrong take a breather here.
Zikic is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Armstrong is trying to pull guard but Zikic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Armstrong can't get the takedown.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Armstrong keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zikic 's efforts to push away.
Armstrong is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zikic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Armstrong tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zikic can't break the clinch.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Zikic is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zikic wants to break free but Armstrong has control.
Zikic is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Armstrong keeps control of Zikic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zikic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Zikic 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Armstrong lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Armstrong keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zikic 's efforts to push away.
Armstrong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Armstrong has Zikic pressed against the cage, preventing Zikic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zikic tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Zikic is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Zikic is trying to break the clinch but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong keeps control of Zikic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zikic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.
Armstrong stalls.
Zikic is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Armstrong keeps control of Zikic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Zikic is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zikic has had enough of the clinch but Armstrong keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is stalling here.
Zikic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zikic tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Zikic 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zikic tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.
Zikic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.

Armstrong breaks the clinch.
Zikic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hugh Armstrong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zikic tries to keep at a distance but Armstrong has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zikic tries to break free but Armstrong pushes him back against the cage.

Armstrong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Zikic really 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.

Armstrong is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zikic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zikic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Armstrong counters with a body kick that stops Zikic in his tracks momentarily.
Zikic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zikic throws a lazy head kick

and Armstrong moves into the clinch.
Zikic is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zikic tries to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Armstrong manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zikic tries to circle away but Armstrong has him pinned against the cage.
Zikic can't break the clinch.
Armstrong is trying to pull guard but Zikic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short left from Armstrong.
Zikic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Armstrong pulls guard successfully.
Zikic preventing the sweep.
Zikic lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zikic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Armstrong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Zikic wants to get back to his feet.
Zikic is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Zikic is trying to escape back to his feet but Armstrong uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Zikic dodges the ground and pound from Armstrong.
Armstrong in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Zikic is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throws a strike aimed at the side of Zikic 's head but Zikic avoids it well.
Armstrong is looking to take a break and control but Zikic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zikic wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Armstrong working the ground and pound but Zikic is defending the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zikic is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Armstrong asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hugh Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zikic !
Poor strikes thrown by Armstrong there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Zikic is trying to stand up.
Armstrong throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Zikic is trying to stand up.
Armstrong controlling from the full mount.
Zikic wants to get back to his feet.
Armstrong throws some wild stikes that Zikic manages to avoid easily.
Armstrong controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong landing punches.
Armstrong throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Zikic because Armstrong loaded up on that one.
Armstrong throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zikic squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Armstrong throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Armstrong raining down shots from the mount!
Zikic wants to get back to his feet.
Armstrong thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zikic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Poor strikes thrown by Armstrong there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugh Armstrong had his way with James Zikic in 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zikic throws a lazy head kick

and Armstrong counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zikic !
Zikic really wants to buck Armstrong off and get back to his feet.
Armstrong thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Armstrong is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Armstrong controlling the pace for now.
Zikic blocking the ground and pound.
Zikic is trying to stand up.
Armstrong tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zikic is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Armstrong thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Zikic taking shots to the head.
Zikic is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong lands a big shot there that rocks Zikic but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Armstrong controlling the pace for now.
Zikic is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Armstrong putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Zikic wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Armstrong is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zikic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Armstrong controlling his opponent.
Zikic is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong looking to ground and pound but Zikic is blocking nicely.
Zikic squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Zikic is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Zikic tries to buck Armstrong off but he can't manage it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Armstrong controlling the position easily from mount.
Armstrong throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Zikic wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Zikic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Zikic holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Armstrong tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zikic is bucking up trying to escape but Armstrong cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Armstrong.
Zikic is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Armstrong controlling the position easily from mount.
A nice elbow there by Armstrong.
Zikic 's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Armstrong controlling his opponent.
Zikic wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong throwing strikes here but Zikic is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Armstrong looking to control and managing it successfully.
Armstrong throws some wild stikes that Zikic manages to avoid easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zikic is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Armstrong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zikic is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugh Armstrong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Armstrong 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugh Armstrong!