PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joel Armia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alen Zalac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Armia kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Evanescence - My Last Breath. Zalac has chosen Survival - Eminem as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Armia
vs
Zalac

193 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 Las Vegas, Joel Armia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alen Zalac!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zalac bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Armia sneaks out the side door and pushes Zalac away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Zalac fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Armia, pushing him back against the cage.
Armia is working for takedown but Zalac is calmly controlling the position for now.
Armia has Zalac pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zalac manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Armia is trying to drag Zalac to the mat but Zalac just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Armia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Armia's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zalac shoots for a double leg takedown but Armia sprawls well. He's pushed Zalac's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Armia throws a body shot but no joy.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Armia looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armia thows a huge punch but Zalac dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armia controlling the action here.
Zalac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Armia. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Armia has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Zalac tries to get to full guard but Armia has control of the leg.
Armia passes to full mount!
Armia controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Armia's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Armia avoids the attempt from Zalac to control.
Armia looking to finish with strikes here!
Armia sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Zalac is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armia lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Armia lands a couple of good shots and Zalac has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Armia 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.
Armia punches the canvas rather than the man.
Armia is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Zalac trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Zalac defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
What can Zalac do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Armia dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Armia gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zalac has Armia pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Armia manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Armia can't get the takedown.

Armia decides to pull guard.
Armia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Armia is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Armia is taking a breather. Zalac says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zalac is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Armia pulls his head out easily.
Armia sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zalac wants to get back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zalac can do anything to dispel that myth.
Armia not doing much here.
Armia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zalac can do to turn this around?

Armia decides to return to a standing position.
Armia looks for a takedown but Zalac sprawls well.
Zalac shoots in but no luck this time.
Armia feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Zalac gets caught napping as Armia dives in and scores a takedown. Zalac manages to retain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armia wants to pass the guard but Zalac is keeping the position.
Armia stands and throws Zalac's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zalac is looking to regain half guard here but Armia keeps moving and retains side control.
Armia wants to control but Zalac is keeping him busy.
Zalac is trying to escape the position but Armia is controlling the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Armia.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zalac is looking to regain half guard here but Armia keeps moving and retains side control.
Armia slows the pace down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Armia creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Armia takes a little break here. Zalac wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Armia stands up.

Armia scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zalac being controlled for a moment.
Armia looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zalac is avoiding damage well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Armia dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Armia shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zalac napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Armia moves into full mount!
Armia can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zalac is looking to escape.
Armia controlling the position easily from mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armia lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Armia looking to control but Zalac is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zalac wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Armia.
Armia controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalac tries to hold on but Armia pushes him away.
Armia controlling his opponent.

Armia working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armia trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Armia throws some wild stikes that Zalac manages to avoid easily.
Armia controlling the position easily from mount.
Armia seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zalac for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Armia is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zalac can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Armia content just to control the position here.
Zalac is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Armia controlling the pace for now.
Armia throwing strikes here but Zalac is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Armia controlling the pace for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Alen Zalac has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joel Armia is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joel Armia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Armia, 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joel Armia!