PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Zapata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ralph Vincent Gapuz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ralph Vincent Gapuz will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Zapata
vs
Vincent Gapuz

175 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
18
230 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Zapata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ralph Vincent Gapuz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zapata misses with a wild combination.
Gapuz looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Zapata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gapuz moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zapata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Zapata breaks from the clinch.
Zapata misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zapata throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zapata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gapuz moves away.
Zapata pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Josh Zapata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gapuz misses with a takedown attempt - Zapata sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zapata digs a good body shot into Gapuz's ribs.
Zapata pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zapata scores with a push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapata paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zapata will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gapuz shoots for a double leg takedown but Zapata sprawls well. He's pushed Gapuz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Zapata rushes Gapuz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Zapata breaks from the clinch.
Jab, jab by Zapata - just one landing.

Zapata forces Gapuz back against the cage and clinches.
Gapuz wants a takedown.
Josh Zapata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralph Vincent Gapuz.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gapuz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zapata misses with a wild combination.
Gapuz closes the distance and clinches up with Zapata, looking for a takedown. Gapuz pushes Zapata against the cage but Zapata circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zapata - that will leave a mark!
A head kick misses from Zapata.
Zapata throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A head kick misses from Zapata.
Some wild striking there from Zapata.
Josh Zapata is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gapuz avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Zapata 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.
Zapata is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gapuz.
Gapuz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zapata tries to avoid it but Gapuz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zapata to the ground. Zapata escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Zapata drives through and clinches with Gapuz against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Zapata.
Gapuz wants a takedown.

Zapata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gapuz staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Zapata, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gapuz avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Gapuz tries to clinch up
and Zapata connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick and Gapuz moves out of range easily.
Gapuz shoots in but Zapata avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick and Gapuz moves out of range easily.
Zapata will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gapuz fails with the takedown.
Zapata scores with a one two! Gapuz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nice body punch from Zapata.
Gapuz avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Zapata jabs at Gapuz's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Oooh a lovely combination from Zapata sends Gapuz down but not out. Zapata dives into side control looking to finish.

Gapuz is rocked!

Zapata decides to stand back up.
Gapuz is still on wobbly legs! Can Zapata finish him?
Gapuz avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Gapuz seems to have recovered his senses.
Gapuz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zapata.
Zapata is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Zapata rushes Gapuz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zapata'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.
Zapata wants to break free but Gapuz has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Zapata 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.

Zapata tries to clinch up

and Gapuz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Zapata pushes Gapuz off and gets back to his feet.

Zapata has closed the distance and engaged Gapuz in a clinch.
Zapata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gapuz keeps control of Zapata as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zapata wants to get back to striking at distance but Gapuz won't allow it.
Gapuz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zapata prevents it.
Zapata has had enough of the clinch but Gapuz keeps him there for the moment.
Zapata is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zapata wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zapata has had enough of the clinch but Gapuz keeps him there for the moment.
Zapata is trying to break free.
Gapuz is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gapuz prevents Zapata from breaking the clinch.
Zapata is looking to break free of the clinch but Gapuz has double underhooks.
Gapuz prevents Zapata from breaking the clinch.
Zapata wants to break free but Gapuz has control.
Come on Gapuz - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Zapata wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zapata can't break the clinch.
Zapata wants to break free but Gapuz has control.
Zapata wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gapuz has him pressed against the cage.
Zapata wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zapata wants to get back to striking at distance but Gapuz won't allow it.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Josh Zapata is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gapuz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zapata tries to avoid it but Gapuz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zapata to the ground. Zapata escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gapuz blocks a head kick by Zapata.
Gapuz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zapata but Zapata pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Josh Zapata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralph Vincent Gapuz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A head kick misses from Zapata.
Zapata tries a head kick but it misses.
Zapata jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zapata throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gapuz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gapuz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zapata.

Gapuz scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Zapata kicks Gapuz off and gets back to his feet.

Zapata pushes Gapuz up against the cage in a clinch.
Zapata is working Gapuz over against the cage.

Zapata breaks from the clinch.
Zapata connects with a solid leg kick.
Zapata with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zapata swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gapuz counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz letting Zapata take a breather here.
Zapata lands with a short shot to the head.
Gapuz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zapata pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Zapata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zapata has taken the fight to the clinch.
Zapata is trying to break free.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gapuz tries for a takedown but Zapata circles away easily
and Zapata counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

It looks like Ralph Vincent Gapuz has been cut.
Gapuz avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick

so Gapuz counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gapuz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gapuz wants to pass the guard but Zapata is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gapuz drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zapata dives on top into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Zapata gets to his feet - Gapuz follows without any prompting.
Gapuz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gapuz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zapata connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gapuz fails to land the takedown.
Zapata with a hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Zapata. No joy for Gapuz on that attempt.
Josh Zapata is winning the standup battle so far.
Zapata lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Zapata lands a nice shot that snaps Gapuz's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Zapata dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ralph Vincent Gapuz's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Zapata throws a right hand that Gapuz ducks under and follows up with a left that Gapuz also avoids with ease.
Gapuz blocks a head kick by Zapata.
Zapata fails to land with a series of punches.
Zapata scores with a jab.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick

and Gapuz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ralph Vincent Gapuz has got the better of the ground game so far.

Gapuz is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gapuz is pressing down on Zapata's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zapata is holding on for now.
Gapuz trying to control the action but Zapata is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gapuz has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Zapata works to full guard.

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

Gapuz throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Zapata escapes and throws Gapuz's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Zapata decides to stand back up.
Gapuz shoots for a double leg takedown but Zapata sprawls well. He's pushed Gapuz's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zapata wants to clinch up but Gapuz keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Zapata.
Gapuz misses with a takedown
and Zapata counters with a nice uppercut.
Zapata tries to clinch but Gapuz is having none of it.
Zapata scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zapata throws the left hand but Gapuz avoids the punch easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Zapata as he connects with a hook.
Gapuz walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zapata.

Zapata gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gapuz keeps control of Zapata as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zapata wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gapuz has him pressed against the cage.
Zapata wants to break free but Gapuz has control.
Ralph Vincent Gapuz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zapata wants to break the clinch but can't.

Zapata breaks from the clinch.
Gapuz moves out of range as Zapata throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick

and Gapuz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zapata's guard now.
Gapuz wants to control from the top but Zapata keeps moving.
Gapuz slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zapata regains half guard, as Gapuz was trying to land strikes.
Zapata is not content to let Gapuz control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gapuz thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gapuz is looking to advance position but Zapata won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gapuz is looking for a kimura but Zapata is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gapuz to get the leverage.
Gapuz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zapata keeps working.

Gapuz is looking for a kimura but Zapata is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gapuz to get the leverage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zapata avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gapuz.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick and Gapuz moves out of range easily.
Zapata attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ralph Vincent Gapuz.
I think Zapata 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Zapata!