PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sal Zork (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jett Latham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zork comes into the arena with Killswitch Engage - Holy Diver blaring out of the sound system. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Zork
vs
Latham

180 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
22
159 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sal Zork!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jett Latham!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zork avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Latham tries to bum rush Zork with a series of wild strikes but Zork uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Latham swinging wilding here.

Zork has closed the distance and engaged Latham in a clinch.

Zork manages to pull guard.
Latham trying to control the position from guard on top but Zork is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Latham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Latham trying to control but Zork is working from the bottom.
Latham has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zork wants to sweep but no luck.
Latham controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zork keeping full guard, as Latham tries to pass.
Latham trying to control the position from guard on top but Zork is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Latham misses with a two punch combination.
Latham misses with a jab, cross combination.
Latham lands with a nice combination. Zork backs away looking to recover.

Zork shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Zork tries to control but Latham wriggling away.
Latham looks gassed!
Zork raining down shots from the mount!
Zork thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zork tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Zork jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Latham is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Latham and Zork has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Latham is trying to escape the position but Zork is controlling the position.
Zork throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Zork trying to control the position but Latham is working away.
Latham regains half guard there - taking advantage of Zork's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zork trying to mount his opponent but Latham defends it.
Latham tries to get to full guard but Zork has control of the leg.

Latham is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Zork pulls his head out easily.
Zork wants to pass to mount but Latham is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Latham throws a right and a left that Zork avoids nicely.
Latham tries to clinch

and Zork counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zork tries to stand but Latham is controlling from the bottom.
Latham keeping moving, preventing Zork from controlling successfully.
Zork tries to free his leg and advance position but Latham is retaining full guard.
Latham is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Zork stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Zork tries for a takedown but Latham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zork tries for a takedown but Latham sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Zork dominated that round.
That's time! Zork's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Latham keeps the fight on the outside.
Zork dodges the punch combination from Latham.

Zork closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zork is pressing down on Latham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Latham is holding on for now.
Zork wants to control but Latham is keeping him busy.
Latham blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zork.
Latham wants to control but Zork is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Latham is breathing heavily.
Zork wants to stand up but Latham has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latham is not content to let Zork control the position.

Zork is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Latham misses with a combination

and Zork holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Zork breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Latham dodges the punch combination from Zork.
Latham misses with a double jab.
Zork circles away from the clinch attempt.
Latham lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zork backs up against the cage.

Zork closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zork lands in his opponent's guard.
Zork is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zork thows a big elbow that misses.
Latham being controlled here, momentarily.
Zork trying to control the position from guard on top but Latham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zork has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zork preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latham keeping moving, preventing Zork from controlling successfully.
Latham trying to keep a closed guard but Zork is proving a slippery customer.
Zork wants to get up but he can't break Latham's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Latham stuffs the takedown.
Zork shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Latham as he avoids it easily.
Zork shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Latham but Latham pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sal Zork. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Latham.
Latham stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Latham swinging wilding here.
Latham tries to clinch up.
Zork showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Latham.
Latham throws a right and a left that Zork avoids nicely.

Zork shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Zork throws and elbow that misses. Latham uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zork's guard. Nice move by Latham!
Zork is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Latham looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Zork dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zork instigates a clinch.

Zork breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A shot to de liver by Latham. Beautiful body shot.
Zork lands with a slapping head kick.
Latham throws a body punch but Zork moves out of range.
Sal Zork is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Latham throws a combination that misses
and Zork counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zork dodges the punch combination from Latham.

Zork shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Zork showed some decent athleticism there.
Zork winds up and cracks Latham with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Latham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zork throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latham is staying active underneath Zork, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Zork stands up from half guard.
Zork shoots in but Latham avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Latham.

Zork feints and as Latham raises his hands in defense, Zork changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zork trying to control the position from guard on top but Latham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Latham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zork pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Latham is keeping the position for now.
Latham keeping moving, preventing Zork from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latham wants to sweep here but Zork controlling him for the moment.
Zork throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Latham works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zork stopping the sweep attempt from Latham.
Zork controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zork rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Latham moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zork tries to close the distance and clinch but Latham swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A head kick by Latham misses

and Zork counters with a nice double leg into side control. Latham won't be happy with that.

Zork tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Zork decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Latham misses with a few strikes there.
Zork throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zork shoots in for a double leg but Latham sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zork tries to clinch but Latham moves out of range.
Jett Latham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zork gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zork taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Latham takes an elbow to the temple.
Latham prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sal Zork. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zork tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Latham just stands there and leans against the cage.
Latham is trying to break free.
Zork tries for a takedown but Latham manages to get underhooks.
Latham wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zork drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Zork pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sal Zork is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Latham lands a jab-cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sal Zork showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zork, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sal Zork!