PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Askold Zapashny (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicanor Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zapashny
vs
Reyes

175 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Askold Zapashny!
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, Nicanor Reyes!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Reyes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Reyes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zapashny is just riding it out for now. Reyes eventually gives up the hold.
Zapashny wants to improve his position but Reyes is controlling well.

Reyes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Zapashny trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reyes seems to be working for a kimura but Zapashny defends the submission attempt.
Reyes is looking to take a break and control but Zapashny is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Reyes wants to work for an arm triangle but Zapashny is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zapashny tries to get to full guard but Reyes has control of the leg.
Reyes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zapashny keeps working.
Zapashny tries to get to full guard but Reyes has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes wants to control but Zapashny is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zapashny is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zapashny blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reyes.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zapashny is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Reyes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Reyes's back!

Reyes is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Zapashny gets his way!

Zapashny is looking for the choke from the back position but Reyes is controlling his hands well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reyes tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zapashny looking to break Reyes's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Reyes remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zapashny will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Reyes is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Zapashny off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Zapashny struggling to keep hold of the position.

Zapashny is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Reyes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Zapashny working for a choke but Reyes is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zapashny tries to keep control of the position but Reyes is staying busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zapashny is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Reyes trying to control the hands but Zapashny won't let him.

Zapashny has got one arm under Reyes's chin. This could be trouble... Reyes trying to control the other hand but Zapashny gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Reyes has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Askold Zapashny!