PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Zivic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zivic
vs
Hughes

183 cm
22
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Zivic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steven Hughes!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Zivic.
Hughes moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hughes goes for a double leg but Zivic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zivic continues to drive forward.
Johnny Zivic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes swings for the body but Zivic moves out of range.
Zivic has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Hughes throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zivic was covering up waiting for the punch and Hughes finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hughes throws an elbow that misses. Zivic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hughes's guard. Nice move by Zivic!

Zivic is looking to stand up but Hughes won't let him.
Zivic trying to control but Hughes is working from the bottom.
Hughes is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zivic stands and throws Hughes's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hughes is not content to let Zivic control the position.
Hughes tries to control but Zivic manages to take his back.
Zivic wants to control but Hughes is keeping busy.
I really don't envy Hughes right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes wants to get back to his feet.
Hughes trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Hughes is keeping busy.
Zivic is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hughes is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Zivic is not going to allow Hughes to sit and survive in this position.
You can see the frustration on Hughes's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Zivic is looking to control Hughes but Hughes is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Hughes right now.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Zivic's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Zivic has the hooks in. Hughes is starting to panic. He's trying to push off one of the legs but he's left his neck open to attack. Zivic passes his arm under Hughes's neck and tightens up a rear naked choke! This one is surely all over! Yes, Hughes taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Johnny Zivic!