PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Verner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Allen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Verner
vs
Allen

190 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
205 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacob Verner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zach Allen!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Allen clinches up with Verner and pushes him back against the cage.
Verner drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Allen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Allen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Verner has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Allen is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Verner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Allen is looking for a takedown.
Allen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Verner blocks it with crossed arms.
Verner scores with a nice hook to the head.
Verner has had enough of the clinch but Allen keeps him there for the moment.
Allen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Verner has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Verner avoids a wild elbow strike from Allen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verner has Allen pressed against the cage.
Allen prevents a body shot from Verner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Verner's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Allen throws an elbow but it misses.
Verner looking to throw knees to the head but Allen is blocking nicely.
Allen is pushing Verner up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Allen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Verner avoids it.
Verner goes for a takedown attempt but Allen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Allen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Verner defends it nicely.

Allen closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Allen tries to throw a body punch but Verner avoids it by throwing Allen back against the cage.
Verner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Allen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Verner has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Allen stalling the fight.
Verner managing to block the knees to the body from Allen.
Verner tries to circle away but Allen has him pinned against the cage.
Allen is trying to pull guard but Verner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jacob Verner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Allen.
Allen avoiding damage as Verner throws knees to the body.
Allen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Verner tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Allen smiles and moves away.
Verner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Verner shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Allen tries to kick Verner off but Verner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Verner looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Allen is trying to maintain the position but Verner is very close to passing his half guard.
Allen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Verner is keen to just control but Allen is a slippery customer.
Verner throwing shots but Allen is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Allen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Verner is working away from the top position though.
Allen is refusing to be controlled, as Verner sits in half guard.
Allen is trying to control but can't.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Allen avoids the head kick by Verner.
Both fighters circling a little - Verner finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Verner shoots in for a takedown but Allen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Verner checks a leg kick.
Verner appears to be looking for a big counter.
Verner throws a series of punches but Allen avoids them all with ease.

Allen takes the fight into the clinch.

Verner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Verner misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jacob Verner will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Allen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Verner gets underhooks to prevent Allen's takedown attempt.
Allen taking a breather.
Verner jumps guard but Allen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Verner is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacob Verner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Allen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zach Allen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Allen tries to work over Verner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Allen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Verner avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verner is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Allen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Verner.
Allen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen prevents the takedown attempt.
Allen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Verner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Allen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verner doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Allen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Verner avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Verner wants to get back to striking at distance but Allen won't allow it.
Allen scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Verner breaks from the clinch.
Allen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Verner counters by clinching up.
Allen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Allen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Verner avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Allen digs a right hand into Verner's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Verner's gas tank.
Verner tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Allen smiles and moves away.

Verner pushes Allen up against the cage in a clinch.
Verner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Allen breaks the clinch.
Allen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Allen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Verner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Verner shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verner moves in looking to clinch but Allen pushes him off.
Zach Allen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Allen has managed to clinch.
Allen looking to throw knees to the head but Verner is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verner is trying to pull guard but Allen has him pressed against the cage.
Allen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Verner avoids it.
Verner tries to work over Allen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Verner has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Allen clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Allen trying to control the hands but Verner breaks the grip.
Allen turns into Verner and is now in his guard.
Verner wants to sweep but no luck.
Allen trying to control but Verner is working from the bottom.
Verner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Allen throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Allen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Allen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Allen throwing strikes from guard but Verner blocks nicely.
Allen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Verner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Allen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Allen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Verner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Allen wants to control from the top but Verner keeps moving.
Allen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Verner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Allen gets to his feet. Verner looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Allen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Verner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Allen clinches up with Verner and pushes him back against the cage.
Verner tries for a takedown but Allen manages to get underhooks.
Allen pushes off an throws an elbow but Verner leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Verner jumps guard but Allen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verner wants to stall.
Allen prevents Verner from breaking the clinch.
Verner tries to pull guard but Allen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacob Verner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Allen scores a nice knee to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Verner gets control of Allen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Verner will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Allen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Allen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Verner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Allen clinches with his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Verner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Allen prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verner jumps guard but Allen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verner stops a takedown attempt from Allen.
Allen has Verner pressed against the cage, preventing Verner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Verner is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Allen to keep the fight standing.
Verner avoids the elbow strike from Allen, against the cage.
Allen lands a nice knee to the body.

Allen successfully pulls guard.
Verner being controlled here momentarily.
Verner prevents Allen from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verner trying to control but Allen is working from the bottom.
Verner stops Allen from standing up.
Allen has control of Verner's left arm, preventing Verner from doing any damage.
Allen 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.
Verner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Allen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Allen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Allen.
Verner keeping moving, preventing Allen from controlling successfully.
Verner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Allen.
Allen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Verner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Allen working some strikes from top position.
Allen wants to stand but Verner is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Allen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jacob Verner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Verner misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Allen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Allen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Verner shoots in for a takedown but Allen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Allen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Verner as he jumps to the side.

Allen drives through and clinches with Verner against the cage.
Allen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Allen leaning against his opponent.
Verner avoiding damage as Allen throws knees to the body.
Allen throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zach Allen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Allen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zach Allen!