PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Angelo Zed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ferguson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. POWER kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Brock Ferguson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zed
vs
Ferguson

187 cm
25
199 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

173 cm
23
199 lbs
8 - 0 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Angelo Zed!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Brock Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ferguson scores with a takedown into Zed's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferguson with a flurry of punches that miss.

Ferguson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zed is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ferguson, into his guard.
Zed is looking to stand up but Ferguson won't let him.
Zed won't allow Ferguson to sweep him here.
Zed tries to free his leg and advance position but Ferguson is retaining full guard.
Ferguson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zed is one step ahead there.
Zed will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zed is stalling in the full guard.
Zed is looking to stand up but Ferguson won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zed stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ferguson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zed trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Angelo Zed wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Zed misses with a hook.

Ferguson clinches with his opponent.
Ferguson lands a shoulder strike.
Ferguson lands with a left to the head.
Ferguson is working Zed over against the cage.
Ferguson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zed gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ferguson tries a body shot but Zed blocks it.

Zed manages to break the clinch.
Zed misses with a wild combination.
Zed misses with a hook to the body
and Ferguson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zed throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ferguson.
Angelo Zed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Ferguson does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zed looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferguson is just out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zed.
Ferguson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zed lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Brock Ferguson has been cut.
A slow jab from Zed misses its intended target.
Zed lands a head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zed. Ferguson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zed swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.
Zed throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zed misses with a shot to the body
and Ferguson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Zed swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A jab from Zed finds it's way through Ferguson's defenses.
Zed displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ferguson.
Ferguson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zed sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zed slips under a jab.

Ferguson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zed to the ground. Ferguson is now in Zed's guard.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferguson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zed's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferguson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ferguson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zed preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zed wants to get back to his feet but Ferguson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ferguson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ferguson stands up over Zed, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zed wants to stand but Ferguson is controlling the position.
Ferguson looking to sit in guard and control but Zed gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferguson pulls Zed in to control the position.
Zed looking to pass the guard.
Zed has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zed trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zed is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ferguson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Ferguson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zed wants to get up but he can't break Ferguson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferguson is trying to control the position but Zed postures up.
Zed with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ferguson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zed's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Ferguson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ferguson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ferguson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Ferguson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ferguson passes into side control, despite Zed's attempt to control the position.
Ferguson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ferguson in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Ferguson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zed sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Ferguson is working for a kimura but Zed is defending it quite comfortably.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ferguson prevents Zed from standing back up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zed manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ferguson controlling from the top position.
Ferguson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zed controlling Ferguson's posture.
Ferguson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zed working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zed looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ferguson stops Zed from standing up.
Ferguson works over Zed with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson throws a big elbow that misses.
Ferguson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zed swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brock Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zed looking to control but Ferguson passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ferguson is thwarting Zed's attempts to control the position.
Zed avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.

Ferguson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Zed is working from the bottom.
Ferguson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ferguson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zed blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ferguson.
Zed is trying to stand up here but Ferguson is controlling him well.
Zed avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.
Zed wants to get back to his feet.
Zed blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ferguson.
Zed is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ferguson scores with a couple of nice shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson stalling.
Zed trying to hold on to Ferguson's head to control him but Ferguson postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson is keen to just control but Zed is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ferguson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zed.
Ferguson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zed is looking to wear down Ferguson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Zed tries a low kick but Ferguson avoids it.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zed.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ferguson showed some decent athleticism there.
Ferguson thows a huge punch but Zed dodges it nicely.
Zed is looking for a sweep. Ferguson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ferguson trying to control from half guard but Zed is working away.
Ferguson stops Zed from getting back to his feet.
Ferguson is pressing down on Zed's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zed is holding on for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferguson wants to take a breather but Zed is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zed trying to hold on to Ferguson's head to control him but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zed has hold of Ferguson's hands but Ferguson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zed wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy.
Zed is not content to let Ferguson control the position.

Ferguson seems to be looking for submissions.
Zed has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferguson is working away from the top position though.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ferguson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zed's head.
Zed wants to improve his position but Ferguson is controlling well.
Ferguson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zed is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ferguson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ferguson's back!
Ferguson trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zed struggling to keep hold of the position.
Ferguson trying to control but not successfully.
Ferguson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Ferguson tries to lock up and control but Zed gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zed controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is trying to escape the mount.
Ferguson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zed trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Zed tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ferguson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zed looking to control but Ferguson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zed controlling the position easily from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Angelo Zed.
Zed keeps Ferguson at a distance using the push kick.
Zed circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Angelo Zed did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zed tries to land a front kick but Ferguson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ferguson misses with a hook. Zed ducked under it nicely.
Zed lands with an uppercut that bounces Ferguson off the cage and back into range.

Zed tries to keep at a distance but Ferguson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ferguson is trying to drag Zed to the mat but Zed just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Zed pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zed, as that shot connected.
Ferguson throws an overhand right that lands on Zed's shoulder, as Zed tries to avoid the shot.
Zed looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferguson is just out of range.
Zed throws a lazy right hand but Ferguson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ferguson.
Zed comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ferguson takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zed is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ferguson looks to land a right hand but Zed moved out of range.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zed paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Zed.
Ferguson is looking to clinch.
Ferguson tries to clinch but Zed moves out of range.
Zed throws out a loose jab but Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Ferguson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ferguson pushes down on Zed's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Zed avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.
Ferguson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zed keeping control of the position.
Ferguson is trying to control the action in half guard but Zed is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ferguson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ferguson is trying to control the action in half guard but Zed is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zed is trying to stand back up but Ferguson is controlling him
Zed is not content to let Ferguson control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brock Ferguson wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zed takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Zed misses with a hook from the clinch.

Ferguson drags the fight down to the ground.
Zed lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zed won't allow Ferguson to get back to his feet.
Zed tries to free his leg and advance position but Ferguson is retaining full guard.
Zed content to stall in guard here.

Ferguson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zed can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ferguson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zed is one step ahead there.
Zed trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Angelo Zed wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A left lands for Ferguson.
Zed throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zed ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zed throws a wild body kick that Ferguson sees coming a mile off.
Zed lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Ferguson.
Zed swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zed swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.
Zed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zed tries to score with a low kick but Ferguson moves his leg out of the way.

Ferguson rushes Zed and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ferguson looking for a takedown.

Zed's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Brock Ferguson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's time! Zed's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ferguson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zed throws out the jab.

Ferguson rushes Zed and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ferguson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zed lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zed tries to break the clinch but Ferguson is controlling the position.
Zed lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ferguson.

Zed's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zed swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zed.
Zed connects with a crisp jab.
Ferguson is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Zed throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ferguson.
Zed tries a low kick but Ferguson avoids it.
Zed swings for the body but Ferguson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zed tries to land a leg kick but Ferguson saw it coming and moves away.
Angelo Zed is winning the standup battle so far.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Zed.
Zed scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zed walks into a stiff left hand from Ferguson.
Zed connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ferguson. Ferguson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ferguson tries to clinch there but Zed circles away.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ferguson showed some decent athleticism there.
Zed tries to get to full guard but Ferguson has control of the leg.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Zed taking some punishment here, with Ferguson in his half guard.
Ferguson working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson lands strikes from half guard.
Angelo Zed has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zed wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zed is looking for a sweep. Ferguson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ferguson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ferguson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zed keeps working.
Zed won't allow Ferguson to pass to mount.
Brock Ferguson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zed tries to roll over but Ferguson keeps him under control.
Ferguson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Zed has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferguson is working away from the top position though.
Ferguson prevents Zed from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Zed is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ferguson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ferguson prevents Zed from improving his position.
Ferguson not doing much here.
Zed keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ferguson lands strikes from half guard.
Ferguson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zed wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is taking a breather. Zed says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zed swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zed misses with a body kick.
Sloppy strikes from Zed. Those never looked like landing.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Ferguson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zed doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.

Zed pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zed misses with a straight left.
Ferguson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brock Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ferguson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 46:50
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brock Ferguson! Brock Ferguson retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Brock Ferguson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.