PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Earnest Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brent Chase (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Zimmerman
vs
Chase

196 cm
25
215 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

188 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Earnest Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brent Chase!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chase bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zimmerman tries to improve position but can't.
Chase scoring with punches from side control.

Chase tries for a kimura but Zimmerman is defending well.
Zimmerman is looking for a sweep.

Chase is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zimmerman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Chase passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Zimmerman!
Zimmerman tries to hold on but Chase postures up.
Chase with shots to the head and body - Zimmerman looks very uncomfortable down there.
Zimmerman slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Zimmerman is defending against the submission attempts here by Chase.
Chase prevents Zimmerman from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman is doing well to control the position and prevent Chase from advancing to side control.
Zimmerman won't allow Chase to pass to mount.
Chase throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Chase is looking to take a break and control but Zimmerman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zimmerman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zimmerman trying to control the position here.
Chase is looking to work some ground and pound but Zimmerman has wrist control.
Chase lands a couple of elbows.
Chase postures up in Zimmerman's guard and throws a big left but Zimmerman blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chase loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zimmerman managing to control the position.
Chase trying to control but Zimmerman is working from the bottom.
Chase must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zimmerman pulls Chase in to control the position.

Zimmerman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zimmerman is on top in guard.

Chase looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chase has his foot on Zimmerman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zimmerman works his way back into a safe position though.
Chase manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zimmerman manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chase wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.
Chase postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zimmerman has control of Chase's left arm, preventing Chase from doing any damage.

Zimmerman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Chase doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Chase manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zimmerman is controlling Chase's posture.
Chase trying to control but Zimmerman is working from the bottom.
Zimmerman trying to control the position here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zimmerman is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chase working a defensive guard but Zimmerman passes into half guard.
Zimmerman thows a huge punch but Chase dodges it nicely.
Chase is looking to improve his position.
Zimmerman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chase taking some punishment here, with Zimmerman in his half guard.
Nice strikes from Zimmerman there.
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 Earnest Zimmerman will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Chase fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Zimmerman sprawls well initially but Chase persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Chase is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zimmerman defends it well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zimmerman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zimmerman controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chase accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Zimmerman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zimmerman looking for a sweep. Not yet Zimmerman, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chase wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.
Zimmerman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zimmerman trying to keep a closed guard but Chase is proving a slippery customer.
Zimmerman has his hands on Chase's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chase gets to his feet - Zimmerman follows without any prompting.
Zimmerman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chase defends well and Zimmerman ends up having to push Chase into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Chase manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zimmerman on his heels. He'll look to pass Zimmerman's guard now, I'm sure.
Chase looking to pass the guard.
Brent Chase has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chase is breathing heavily.
Chase won't allow Zimmerman to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman has his hands on Chase's head, controlling the position.
Chase is in close to Zimmerman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zimmerman wants to get back to his feet but Chase is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chase is working Zimmerman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zimmerman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chase manages to get himself to full guard.

Zimmerman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zimmerman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zimmerman trying to control but Chase is working from the bottom.
Chase working a defensive guard but Zimmerman manages to pass into side control anyway.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Chase can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman lands a few punches from side control.
Zimmerman working the head with strikes.
Chase can't do much from the bottom here.
Chase sneaks back into half guard.
Zimmerman lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Chase pushes Zimmerman off looking to stand but Zimmerman dives back in and keeps control.
Zimmerman slips a nice elbow through Chase's hands, connecting with Chase's forehead.

Zimmerman is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Chase pushes Zimmerman off but Zimmerman dives into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Earnest Zimmerman dominated that second round.
That's time! Zimmerman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Chase shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zimmerman is trying to defend but Chase finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Chase is thwarting Zimmerman's attempts to control the position.
Chase working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zimmerman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Chase winds up and cracks Zimmerman with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zimmerman gets full guard.
Chase wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zimmerman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Chase's guard.

Chase uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chase uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zimmerman.
Chase misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zimmerman lands a right hook to the body.

Chase scores with a takedown into Zimmerman's guard.
Chase takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zimmerman keeping moving, preventing Chase from controlling successfully.
Zimmerman wants to get back to his feet but Chase is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chase preventing the sweep.

Zimmerman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chase gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chase is looking to work some ground and pound but Zimmerman has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chase wants to control from the top but Zimmerman keeps moving.
Chase wants to pass the guard but Zimmerman is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zimmerman pulls Chase in close to prevent any damage.
Chase trying to control the position from guard on top but Zimmerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chase throws a big elbow that misses.
Chase stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zimmerman swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Chase stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zimmerman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zimmerman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chase manages to get himself to full guard.

Chase working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zimmerman.

Zimmerman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Chase is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Chase has escaped and now he's on top!

Chase postures up in Zimmerman's guard and throws a big left but Zimmerman blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chase trying to control the position from guard on top but Zimmerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zimmerman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chase manages to get himself to full guard.

Chase working for submissions but it's allowed Zimmerman to get to half guard.
Zimmerman passes to full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chase in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Earnest Zimmerman.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zimmerman, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Earnest Zimmerman!