PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marvin Zerkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kett Dela Calzada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dela Calzada has chosen Papercut as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Zerkle
vs
Dela Calzada

180 cm
23
161 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
166 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

The Dark Side

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marvin Zerkle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kett Dela Calzada!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dela Calzada throws a one two combo.
Dela Calzada throws a right and a left that both miss.

Zerkle gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zerkle prevents Dela Calzada from breaking the clinch.

Dela Calzada manages to break the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Dela Calzada.
Marvin Zerkle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zerkle shoots in looking for a takedown but Dela Calzada manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zerkle's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Zerkle gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zerkle seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dela Calzada does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dela Calzada preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dela Calzada gets full guard.
Zerkle passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerkle tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Zerkle cracks Dela Calzada with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Zerkle is looking to take a break and control but Dela Calzada is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Zerkle tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Dela Calzada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zerkle wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zerkle landing a few strikes.

Zerkle is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dela Calzada knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zerkle thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zerkle tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Dela Calzada parries the strikes from Zerkle easily there. Zerkle is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Dela Calzada to escape.
Dela Calzada is trying to escape the position but Zerkle is controlling the position.
Zerkle has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Zerkle working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The referee asks Zerkle politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Zerkle prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zerkle tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zerkle has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dela Calzada defending against the ground and pound.

Zerkle has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Kett Dela Calzada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown by Zerkle or perhaps it was just good defense by Dela Calzada which made him look bad.
Zerkle fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marvin Zerkle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Calzada throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zerkle.
Dela Calzada scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zerkle misses with a takedown attempt - Dela Calzada sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zerkle doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Dela Calzada.
A combination from Dela Calzada does no damage.
Dela Calzada throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zerkle.

Zerkle looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dela Calzada!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zerkle is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zerkle throws an elbow but Dela Calzada slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zerkle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dela Calzada keeps working.

Zerkle working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marvin Zerkle dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dela Calzada throws a series of punches but Zerkle avoids them all with ease.
Dela Calzada throws a right and a left that Zerkle avoids nicely.
Zerkle tries to clinch but Dela Calzada is having none of it.
Dela Calzada displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zerkle.
Dela Calzada throws a combination. Zerkle tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dela Calzada throws a shot to the body.
Zerkle darts in looking for a takedown but Dela Calzada gets double underhooks and turns Zerkle into the cage.
Zerkle throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Zerkle turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Dela Calzada can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zerkle looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dela Calzada tries to escape but Zerkle is in control.
Dela Calzada tries to bench press Zerkle off him but Zerkle keeps the position.

Zerkle wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dela Calzada, who protects the arm well.
Dela Calzada tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Zerkle tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zerkle has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zerkle landing a few strikes.

Zerkle goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Dela Calzada rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zerkle's guard! Nice work there by Dela Calzada!
Zerkle is looking to stand up but Dela Calzada isn't so interested in that idea.
Zerkle is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zerkle wants to get back to his feet but Dela Calzada is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dela Calzada must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dela Calzada 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Calzada stops Zerkle from standing up.
Zerkle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dela Calzada is one step ahead there.
Dela Calzada really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zerkle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Dela Calzada wants to control from the top but Zerkle keeps moving.
Zerkle seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kett Dela Calzada wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zerkle is looking to clinch but Dela Calzada is avoiding it.
Dela Calzada throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zerkle.

Zerkle rushes Dela Calzada and presses him up against the cage.
Dela Calzada wants to break free but Zerkle has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Calzada wants to get back to striking at distance but Zerkle won't allow it.
Zerkle working Dela Calzada over with knees to the body.
Zerkle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dela Calzada managing to block the knees to the body from Zerkle.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zerkle scores with a hook to the body.
Zerkle swings wildly with an uppercut but Dela Calzada uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zerkle lands a nice uppercut.
Zerkle goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dela Calzada prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marvin Zerkle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dela Calzada can't break the clinch.
Zerkle misses with a hook to the ribs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zerkle lands an elbow that stopped Dela Calzada in his tracks for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zerkle has Dela Calzada pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Zerkle pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Dela Calzada tumbling to the mat - Zerkle dives into Dela Calzada's guard.
Zerkle trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marvin Zerkle dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Zerkle looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zerkle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dela Calzada sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kett Dela Calzada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zerkle shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dela Calzada as he jumps to the side.
Dela Calzada lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Marvin Zerkle has been cut.
No luck for Zerkle with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marvin Zerkle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Dela Calzada. No joy for Zerkle on that attempt.
Zerkle shoots in but no luck this time.
Dela Calzada falls off balance throwing a combination

so Zerkle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Zerkle decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zerkle shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dela Calzada as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dela Calzada scores with a jab to the body.
Dela Calzada misses with a jab, cross combination.
Dela Calzada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zerkle doesn't seem bothered though.
Dela Calzada dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dela Calzada digs a good hook to Zerkle's body.
Dela Calzada lands a slapping body shot.
Zerkle shoots in looking for a takedown. Dela Calzada tries to sprawl out of it but Zerkle keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dela Calzada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dela Calzada fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zerkle wants to clinch
and Dela Calzada connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dela Calzada throws a series of punches but Zerkle avoids them all with ease.
Zerkle fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dela Calzada throws a right hand that Zerkle ducks under and follows up with a left that Zerkle also avoids with ease.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good shot there by Dela Calzada.
Zerkle takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dela Calzada lands a nice shot to the body.
Zerkle tries to clinch up.
Dela Calzada lands a glancing blow to the side of Zerkle's head.
Dela Calzada scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from Dela Calzada does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dela Calzada looks to land a combination. Zerkle sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zerkle dodges the punch combination from Dela Calzada.
Zerkle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dela Calzada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Some wild striking there from Dela Calzada.
Marvin Zerkle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zerkle tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dela Calzada defends well and Zerkle ends up having to push Dela Calzada into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zerkle makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dela Calzada tries to break the clinch but Zerkle is controlling the position.
Dela Calzada blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dela Calzada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dela Calzada blocking some punches.
A short right from Zerkle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dela Calzada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dela Calzada wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zerkle has him pressed against the cage.
Dela Calzada has had enough of the clinch but Zerkle keeps him there for the moment.
Zerkle stalling the fight.
Dela Calzada is trying to break the clinch but Zerkle has him pressed against the cage.
Zerkle misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dela Calzada wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice elbow from Zerkle.
Zerkle is trying to drag Dela Calzada to the mat but Dela Calzada just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zerkle misses with some punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zerkle jumps guard but Dela Calzada turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zerkle looking for a takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zerkle lands an elbow inside that Dela Calzada shrugs off.
Kett Dela Calzada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dela Calzada wants to break free but Zerkle has control.
Dela Calzada lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zerkle backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kett Dela Calzada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zerkle has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

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