PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Zdravkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Witt (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.

Zdravkov
vs
Witt

220 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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, Mike Zdravkov!
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, Shawn Witt!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Reed Andrews and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Witt closes the distance and clinches.

Zdravkov gets control of Witt's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zdravkov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Zdravkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Zdravkov, not yet.

Zdravkov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Witt doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Witt manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zdravkov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Witt would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Zdravkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zdravkov is trying to keep Witt in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt passes Zdravkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Zdravkov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Witt is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zdravkov defends it well.

Witt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Witt perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt wants to free his trapped foot but Zdravkov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Zdravkov is looking for a sweep. Witt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Witt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Witt decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Witt fails with the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Witt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Witt. No joy for Zdravkov on that attempt.
Zdravkov slaps away a takedown attempt from Witt, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Witt clinches.
Witt jumps guard but Zdravkov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mike Zdravkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Witt.
Witt working hard to break the clinch.
Zdravkov tries for a takedown but Witt manages to get underhooks.
Zdravkov wants a takedown.
Zdravkov is breathing heavily.
Still in the clinch, Witt scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zdravkov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Witt working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt working hard to break the clinch.
Witt is looking to break free of the clinch but Zdravkov has double underhooks.
Witt tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Witt lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zdravkov prevents the takedown attempt.

Zdravkov gets control of Witt's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zdravkov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Zdravkov wants to sweep here but Witt controlling him for the moment.
Zdravkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Witt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zdravkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witt throwing strikes from guard but Zdravkov blocks nicely.
Zdravkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Witt dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Zdravkov. No joy for Witt on that attempt.
Zdravkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zdravkov closes the distance and clinches up with Witt, looking for a takedown. Zdravkov pushes Witt against the cage but Witt circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Witt doesn't manage to clinch there - Zdravkov circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zdravkov.
Zdravkov misses with a series of wild punches.
Zdravkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Witt is fending him off so far but Zdravkov persists. Nope, Witt circles away and we're back to standing.
Zdravkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Zdravkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Witt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zdravkov sprawls well. Zdravkov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Witt gets slowly back to his feet.
Witt will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Witt moves into the clinch.
Witt looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Witt is trying to push Zdravkov away but Zdravkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zdravkov wants a takedown.
Zdravkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Witt is trying to break the clinch but Zdravkov is controlling him.
Witt slows down the pace here.
Witt fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov is trying to stall.
Witt is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zdravkov to keep the fight standing.
Zdravkov goes for a takedown attempt but Witt pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Zdravkov tries to keep at a distance but Witt has taken the fight into the clinch.
Witt is trying to break the clinch but Zdravkov has him pressed against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Witt as Zdravkov tries to tie him up.
Witt just leaning against Zdravkov, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Witt is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zdravkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Witt manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Witt has Zdravkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zdravkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Witt tries to pull guard but Zdravkov won't allow it.
Witt is working for takedown but Zdravkov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zdravkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Witt is looking to break free of the clinch but Zdravkov has double underhooks.
Witt can't get the takedown.
Zdravkov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Witt walks away with a smile on his face. Zdravkov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Witt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zdravkov sprawls well. Zdravkov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Witt gets slowly back to his feet.
Zdravkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Witt as he jumps to the side.
Witt shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zdravkov as he avoids it easily.
Witt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zdravkov.
Witt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zdravkov.

Witt drives through and clinches with Zdravkov against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witt wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Witt looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Witt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Witt dodges the punch combination from Zdravkov.
Zdravkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zdravkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mike Zdravkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice sprawl there from Zdravkov as Witt shoots in.

Zdravkov forces Witt back against the cage and clinches.
Zdravkov trying to stall but Witt improves his position.
Witt has had enough of the clinch but Zdravkov keeps him there for the moment.
Witt tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zdravkov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Witt is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zdravkov scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Zdravkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zdravkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt tries to clinch but Zdravkov moves out of range.
Zdravkov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mike Zdravkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Witt.
Witt tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Witt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zdravkov.

Witt moves into the clinch.
Witt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shawn Witt seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zdravkov tries to stall but Witt uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zdravkov keeps control of Witt as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zdravkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Witt just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zdravkov letting Witt take a breather here.
Witt misses with a body punch.
Witt prevents a takedown attempt there.
Witt tries to circle away but Zdravkov has him pinned against the cage.
Witt is looking to take this one to the mat.
Witt lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zdravkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Witt.

Zdravkov breaks the clinch.
Zdravkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Witt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zdravkov somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt swinging wildly here.
Witt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Witt tries to clinch but Zdravkov moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zdravkov is defended easily by Witt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Witt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt looks to land a combination but Zdravkov avoids it well.
Shawn Witt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zdravkov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Zdravkov duly obliges.
Witt misses with the combination.
Zdravkov has a takedown stuffed.
Witt throws a combination that misses

and Zdravkov moves into the clinch.
Zdravkov goes for a takedown attempt but Witt pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witt tries to close the distance and clinch but Zdravkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shawn Witt.
Well Witt has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Witt!
After winning the bout, Shawn Witt thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.