PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ellit Zion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kye Clarke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ellit Zion could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kye Clarke's chin.

Zion
vs
Clarke

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ellit Zion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Kye Clarke!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zion feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Clarke looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zion is looking to work some ground and pound but Clarke has wrist control.
Clarke seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zion trying to control the position from guard on top but Clarke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kye Clarke hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Zion lands with a right hand.

Clarke scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Clarke wants to work for an arm triangle but Zion is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Clarke is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarke not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Clarke is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zion trying to control but Clarke postures up.
Clarke is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kye Clarke was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Clarke closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zion to the mat! Zion manages to get full guard.
Clarke throws a big right hand that misses.
Clarke is stalling in the full guard.
It looks like Clarke 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kye Clarke was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Zion throws a head kick but Clarke moves out of range.

Clarke looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clarke sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Clarke slips nicely into half guard.
Clarke stalling.
Let's hope that Clarke has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kye Clarke wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zion's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Clarke connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zion scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clarke moves into the clinch successfully.

Clarke has hold of one of Zion's legs. Zion is fighting the takedown attempt but Clarke gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zion trying to control the position.
Clarke slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zion keeping full guard, as Clarke tries to pass.
Clarke engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kye Clarke dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Clarke drives through with a takedown into guard.
Clarke works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Clarke lands strikes from half guard.

Clarke is looking for a kimura here.
Clarke throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Clarke trying to control the pace.

Zion is defending against the submission attempts here by Clarke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarke looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Clarke stands up from half guard.

Zion looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Clarke makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Clarke.

Clarke wriggles free and stands up.

Clarke closes the distance and pushes Zion back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clarke turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Clarke manages to end up in side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Clarke tries for a kimura but Zion is defending well.
A lull in the action here as Clarke stalls from top position.
Clarke wants to stand but Zion has his arm trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clarke decides to stand back up. Clarke steps back and let's Zion get back to his feet.

Clarke shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zion napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Clarke advances nicely into full mount.
Kye Clarke has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zion swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Clarke takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zion blocking the ground and pound.
Clarke controlling the position easily from mount.
Clarke unloads with some shots from mount but Zion bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clarke misses with a head shot.
Clarke misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Clarke has hold of Zion's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Zion manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Clarke content just to control the position here.
Clarke throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zion is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kye Clarke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Clarke closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Clarke lands in his opponent's guard.
Zion tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Clarke throws a big elbow that misses.
Clarke slips nicely into half guard.
Clarke thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zion's head.
Clarke is controlling the pace.
Zion keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Clarke seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Clarke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zion blocking the ground and pound attempt from Clarke.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Clarke not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Clarke has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Clarke controlling from the full mount.
Clarke thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarke controlling from the full mount.
Clarke throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Clarke tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Clarke working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Zion avoids a series of strikes thrown by Clarke.
Clarke content just to control the position here.
Clarke with the ground and pound from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clarke unloads with some shots from mount but Zion bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clarke sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Clarke takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Clarke thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Clarke tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Clarke looking to secure an arm triangle but Zion defends it well.
Clarke controlling from the full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kye Clarke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Clarke 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 William Gold scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kye Clarke!
Kye Clarke seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.