PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul OConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nova Zigaman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul OConnell could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nova Zigaman's chin.

OConnell
vs
Zigaman

209 cm
27
285 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

203 cm
27
287 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paul OConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nova Zigaman!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OConnell misses with a head kick.
Zigaman is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
OConnell scores with the left hand. Zigaman knows he should have avoided that one.
OConnell misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Zigaman counters with a shoot takedown. OConnell fights it but they end up in guard.

OConnell kicks Zigaman off and gets to his feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts OConnell, as that shot connected.
Zigaman throws a lazy right hand but OConnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
OConnell misses with an uppercut

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

OConnell explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
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!
Zigaman throws a jab but it's blocked by OConnell.
Good leg kick by OConnell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
OConnell thows a leg kick but Zigaman checks it

and Zigaman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zigaman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
OConnell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zigaman scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zigaman stops OConnell from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zigaman is controlling the pace.
Zigaman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
OConnell wants to get back to his feet.
OConnell is staying active underneath Zigaman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
OConnell tries to kick Zigaman off but Zigaman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
OConnell taking some punishment here, with Zigaman in his half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zigaman working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
OConnell tries to kick Zigaman off but Zigaman keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zigaman slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two 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.
Zigaman prevents OConnell from standing back up.
Zigaman is trying to control the action in half guard but OConnell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zigaman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
OConnell really wants to buck Zigaman off and get back to his feet.
Zigaman can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as OConnell is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
OConnell is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Zigaman cracks OConnell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zigaman lands a big shot there that rocks OConnell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zigaman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
OConnell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Zigaman lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
OConnell is squirming around, avoiding Zigaman's attempts to control the action.
A nice elbow there by Zigaman.
Zigaman landing shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConnell really wants to buck Zigaman off and get back to his feet.
Zigaman lands a nice shot to the head.
Zigaman landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zigaman lands a big shot there that rocks OConnell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
OConnell tries to buck Zigaman off but he can't manage it.

OConnell somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
OConnell tries a low kick but Zigaman avoids it.
OConnell misses with a hook

and Zigaman counters with a single leg into guard. OConnell didn't expect that.
Zigaman controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zigaman passes OConnell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zigaman trying to control the action but OConnell is working from the bottom.
Zigaman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A low kick from OConnell misses

and Zigaman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zigaman is working OConnell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
OConnell wants to stand up but Zigaman is controlling him.
Zigaman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. OConnell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zigaman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
OConnell is looking to stand back up but Zigaman counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by OConnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnell wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zigaman looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks OConnell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zigaman lands strikes from half guard.
Zigaman not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zigaman working the head and body with strikes.
Nova Zigaman has got the better of the ground game so far.
OConnell pushes Zigaman off looking to stand but Zigaman dives back in and keeps control.
Zigaman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zigaman wants to lay and pray for a moment but OConnell keeps working.
Zigaman working over OConnell with some ground and pound. OConnell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Zigaman winds up and cracks OConnell with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
OConnell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zigaman.
Zigaman is looking to take a break and control but OConnell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zigaman is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Zigaman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zigaman is nestled in close to OConnell, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zigaman is stalling here. OConnell is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Zigaman seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and OConnell has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Zigaman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
OConnell tries to stand but can't do so whilst Zigaman controls his leg.

Zigaman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
OConnell wants to stand up but Zigaman has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Zigaman tries to get to full guard but OConnell has control of the leg.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zigaman moves into full guard.

OConnell stands up from Zigaman's guard - OConnell perhaps looking for a knockout.
Zigaman catches OConnell with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
OConnell ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A clash of legs there as Zigaman blocks the low kick.
OConnell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zigaman's head backwards.
Paul OConnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zigaman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zigaman darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
OConnell scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
OConnell throws a head kick but Zigaman moves out of range.
OConnell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zigaman.
OConnell jabs Zigaman right on the nose. Zigaman blinks but takes it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OConnell looks to land a left hand but Zigaman moved out of range nicely.
Zigaman shoots in and drives through. OConnell sprawls well.
OConnell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
OConnell thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nova Zigaman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

OConnell lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zigaman at a distance.
We've been told by OConnell's head coaches at Tōshi that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

OConnell gets caught flat footed, as Zigaman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zigaman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. OConnell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
OConnell wants to stand up but Zigaman is controlling him.
OConnell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
OConnell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
OConnell wants to stand up but Zigaman is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zigaman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zigaman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zigaman stays in close to OConnell's body and controls the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
OConnell misses with a leg kick.
OConnell throws a right hand that misses
and Zigaman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zigaman throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting OConnell counter with a right hand.
Zigaman missing with a left hand there. OConnell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Good shot there by Zigaman.
OConnell moves out of range as Zigaman strikes.
OConnell is looking to counter punch.
OConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Zigaman.
Paul OConnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OConnell misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Zigaman moves into the clinch.
Zigaman is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables OConnell to keep the fight standing.
OConnell lands an elbow that stopped Zigaman in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Nova Zigaman has been cut.

OConnell manages to break the clinch.
OConnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zigaman manages to avoid it.
Zigaman stuns OConnell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
OConnell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zigaman finds it's way round the side to connect with OConnell's head.
Zigaman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. OConnell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
OConnell tried to counter with a leg kick but Zigaman avoided it.
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!
Zigaman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and OConnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell cracks Zigaman on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Zigaman falls backwards against the cage. OConnell follows up with more strikes that drop Zigaman to his knees. OConnell keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Zigaman! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:07 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul OConnell!
Paul OConnell tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
Nova Zigaman was interviewed post fight and said 'If you look up the word fluke in the dictionary, it will have a picture of this piece of shit Gab Batista. You try doing that again and I'll show you how the bombastic one plays.'.