PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Strahovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Zapelini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Strahovski could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rafael Zapelini's chin.

Strahovski
vs
Zapelini

182 cm
20
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Igor Strahovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Zapelini!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strahovski swats away the attempt to clinch by Zapelini.
Zapelini tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Strahovski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zapelini wants to clinch

and Strahovski counters by clinching up.

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

Strahovski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zapelini tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Strahovski is in Zapelini's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Strahovski lands a couple of digs.
Zapelini avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strahovski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Strahovski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Strahovski stops Zapelini from standing up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strahovski scoring with some ground and pound.
Strahovski prevents Zapelini from getting back to his feet.

Zapelini wriggles free and stands up.
Strahovski fails with a takedown attempt.
Rafael Zapelini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Strahovski or perhaps it was just good defense by Zapelini which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapelini wants to clinch up but Strahovski keeps it at a distance.
Zapelini fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zapelini looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice takedown defense from Zapelini. No joy for Strahovski on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Strahovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zapelini looks to clinch

and Strahovski decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zapelini's guard.
Strahovski looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Strahovski cracks Zapelini with a solid left hand.
Strahovski trying to control but Zapelini is working from the bottom.
Zapelini wants to get back to his feet but Strahovski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strahovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Zapelini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strahovski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zapelini wants to get back to his feet but Strahovski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zapelini looks winded!

Igor Strahovski has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zapelini looks to land a combination but Strahovski avoids it well.
Zapelini stalks Strahovski and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Strahovski's face. Strahovski staggers backwards, shaken.

Strahovski shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Strahovski was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Strahovski working the ground and pound from side control.
Strahovski cracks Zapelini with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Strahovski working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strahovski prevents Zapelini from escaping the position.
Strahovski grinds an elbow into Zapelini's temple.
Strahovski wants to control but Zapelini is keeping him busy.
Strahovski working the ground and pound from side control.
Strahovski lands a decent elbow from side control.
Strahovski working the ground and pound from side control.
Strahovski landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Strahovski has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Zapelini is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Strahovski yanks on the arm and Zapelini is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Strahovski.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Igor Strahovski!