PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Zalama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thanir Todds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zalama
vs
Todds

177 cm
26
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
167 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Zipp Zapp(w. laundry:10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Miguel Zalama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thanir Todds!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Todds tries for a takedown but Zalama sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Todds gets a clinch.
Zalama tries to stall but Todds uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Todds just leaning against Zalama, taking a breather.
Todds landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zalama wants to get back to striking at distance but Todds won't allow it.

Todds's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zalama wants to clinch.
Zalama tries to clinch but Todds moves away
and Todds counters with a good, hard body kick but Zalama shrugs it off.

Todds closes the distance and pushes Zalama back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Todds digs a right hand into Zalama's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zalama's gas tank.

Todds's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zalama looks to land a combination but Todds avoids it well.

Todds drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Todds has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todds manages to capitalize on a mistake by Zalama to take his back!
I would not like to be Zalama right now.
It looks like Todds might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Zalama is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Zalama is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Todds.
Zalama tries to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Todds is riding his opponent, not letting Zalama buck him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalama wants to escape the position.
Todds biding his time, looking for the opening.

Todds tightening his grip on Zalama, looking for the choke.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Todds misses with a punch to the head.
What can Zalama do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Todds misses with an elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Todds slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Zalama rolls, trying to escape but Todds keeps control of the position.
Todds really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Zalama.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zalama has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Todds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Todds is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zalama knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zalama for a finish.
Zalama is in bad spot here.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zalama rolls, trying to escape but Todds keeps control of the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zalama wants to control his opponent's hands but Todds gets his hands free.
Zalama knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Todds on the ground.
Todds is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thanir Todds dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Todds fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zalama avoids it really well and circles away.
Zalama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Todds sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zalama somewhat.
Zalama tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Todds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Zalama or perhaps it was just good defense by Todds which made him look bad.

Todds clinches up against the cage.
Zalama tries to break free but Todds pushes him back against the cage.
Todds goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zalama prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zalama prevents a takedown attempt there.
Miguel Zalama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thanir Todds.
Todds has Zalama pressed against the cage, preventing Zalama from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zalama being controlled against the cage.
Todds keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zalama's efforts to push away.
Todds leaning against his opponent.

Todds manages to break the clinch.
Zalama fails with the takedown.

Todds clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalama is trying to break the clinch but Todds is controlling him.
Todds tries for a takedown but Zalama manages to get underhooks.
Zalama can't break the clinch.
Zalama tries to pull guard but Todds forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Todds scores with a knee to the head.
Todds is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Zalama tries to stall but Todds uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Todds lands a nice shot to the body.
Todds tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zalama just stands there and leans against the cage.
Todds using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zalama tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Todds just stands there and leans against the cage.
Todds lands a nice shot to the body.
Todds is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Thanir Todds seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Todds breaks from the clinch.
Zalama takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Miguel Zalama has been cut.
Zalama stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Zalama. No joy for Todds on that attempt.
Zalama throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Todds dives in for a single leg takedown but Zalama sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zalama has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Todds avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zalama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Todds is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zalama is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zalama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Todds is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zalama prevents the takedown attempt.
Zalama can't get the takedown.

Todds pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Todds tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Todds has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Todds shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zalama manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Thanir Todds has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zalama working for a triangle but Todds defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zalama is working an open guard so Todds takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thanir Todds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Miguel Zalama's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zalama looks for a takedown but Todds sprawls well.
Todds fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zalama avoids it really well and circles away.
Todds shoots in and drives through. Zalama sprawls well.

Todds clinches.
Zalama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Todds has him pressed against the cage.
Zalama being controlled against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Todds's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Zalama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Todds breaks the clinch.
Todds has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Todds fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Miguel Zalama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thanir Todds.
Todds throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zalama's waist but Zalama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Todds off to one side.
Todds closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zalama shoots in for a takedown but Todds shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Todds. That snapped Zalama's head back.
Zalama buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zalama fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalama misses with a takedown attempt - Todds sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Todds moves into range and clinches up with Zalama.
Todds slowing the pace effectively.
Todds prevents a takedown attempt there.

Todds gets control of Zalama's arms and successfully pulls guard. Todds will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Zalama throws a big right hand that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zalama is looking to stand up but Todds won't let him.
Zalama trying to control the position from guard on top but Todds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Todds looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zalama trying to control the position from guard on top but Todds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Todds pulls Zalama in close to prevent any damage.

Miguel Zalama has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zalama looks to throw the jab but Todds is out of range.
Zalama misses with a wild body shot.
Zalama shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Todds defends it nicely.

Todds tries to keep at a distance but Zalama has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zalama working hard to break the clinch.

Todds successfully pulls guard.
Zalama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Todds has his foot on Zalama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zalama works his way back into a safe position though.
Zalama looking to sit in guard and control but Todds gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Todds slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thanir Todds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Todds 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thanir Todds!