PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evan Zoplias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Karate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zoplias comes to the cage accompanied by ABC-Jackson 5. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Joey Karate was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Zoplias
vs
Karate

185 cm
27
210 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

191 cm
27
220 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Evan Zoplias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joey Karate!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zoplias wants to clinch
and Karate counters with a left and a right that stings Zoplias.

Zoplias takes the fight into the clinch.
Karate tries to break the clinch but Zoplias is controlling the position.
Zoplias misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zoplias lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Karate's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A hook to the body from Zoplias.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Karate blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Our sources have told us that Zoplias has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Karate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karate has had enough of the clinch but Zoplias keeps him there for the moment.
Zoplias lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoplias working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Zoplias tries to throw a body punch but Karate avoids it by throwing Zoplias back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Karate wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Karate's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Zoplias fails to land.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias tries to work over Karate's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zoplias misses with a punch to the body.
Zoplias lands a hook that snaps the head of Karate backwards.
Karate blocking some punches.
Karate working hard to break the clinch.
Karate looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Karate blocking some punches.
Zoplias lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Karate.
Zoplias misses with a punch to the body.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias tries a body shot but Karate blocks it.
Zoplias can't find room to land a body shot as Karate controls the action.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias digs a right hand into Karate's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Karate's gas tank.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karate's efforts to push away.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zoplias creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zoplias can't find room to land a body shot as Karate controls the action.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karate backwards.
Zoplias misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A frustrated look appears on Karate's face as he tries to break the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zoplias creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Karate working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Zoplias misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zoplias lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Zoplias fails to land.
Zoplias tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias works on Karate's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zoplias works on Karate's body with a couple of short punches.
Zoplias working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Karate blocking some punches.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karate backwards.
Karate is trying to break free.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias lands with a right to the head.
Zoplias makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Zoplias dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zoplias has managed to clinch.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Karate wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Zoplias.

Karate breaks the clinch.
Karate throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Karate pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Evan Zoplias is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Karate.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zoplias instigates a clinch.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Karate can't break the clinch.
Zoplias tries to throw a body punch but Karate avoids it by throwing Zoplias back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Zoplias can't find room to land a body shot as Karate controls the action.
Karate has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Karate.
Karate looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Karate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karate blocks an uppercut.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Karate blocks a body shot from Zoplias.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A frustrated look appears on Karate's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Evan Zoplias has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Karate.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karate is trying to break the clinch but Zoplias has him pressed against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a punch to the body.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Karate tries to circle away but Zoplias has him pinned against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Zoplias.
A short body shot lands from Zoplias as the two fighters clinch.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias scores with a hook to the body.
Zoplias lands a nice uppercut.
Karate blocking some punches.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Zoplias scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zoplias tries to work over Karate's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zoplias keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Karate's efforts to push away.

Karate's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Zoplias has managed to clinch.
Karate is looking to break free of the clinch but Zoplias has double underhooks.
Zoplias goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Karate is trying to break the clinch but Zoplias is controlling him.
Karate is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zoplias struggles to land a body shot inside as Karate controls his hands.
Karate is looking to break free of the clinch but Zoplias has double underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karate prevents a body shot from Zoplias.
Karate wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zoplias misses with a body punch.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karate takes a shot to the head.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias tries a body shot but Karate blocks it.

Karate escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zoplias rushes Karate and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karate blocking some punches.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Zoplias tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Zoplias dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zoplias doesn't manage to clinch there - Karate circles away.
Karate circles away from the clinch attempt.
Karate tries to counter with a clinch but Zoplias shakes him off and moves away.

Zoplias forces Karate back against the cage and clinches.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Karate blocks a body shot from Zoplias.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karate.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Karate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karate looking to slow down the pace here.
Zoplias lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Karate backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoplias is working Karate over against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Zoplias lands a nice shot to the body.
Zoplias lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karate.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias struggles to land a body shot inside as Karate controls his hands.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Karate can do to turn this around?
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Karate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karate working hard to break the clinch.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias struggles to land a body shot inside as Karate controls his hands.
Zoplias working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Zoplias.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Karate.
Karate is trying to break free.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zoplias creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Karate backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zoplias misses with a hook to the ribs.
Karate blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Zoplias.
Still in the clinch, Zoplias scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Zoplias struggles to land a body shot inside as Karate controls his hands.
Zoplias gets through Karate's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Karate's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zoplias working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Zoplias.
Karate blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias tries a body shot but Karate blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karate blocking some punches.
Zoplias keeps control of Karate as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Karate blocks a body shot from Zoplias.
Zoplias goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zoplias prevents Karate from breaking the clinch.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Karate uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karate tries to circle away but Zoplias has him pinned against the cage.
Karate blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Karate blocking some punches.
Joey Karate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short right from Zoplias on the inside.
Evan Zoplias is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zoplias tries to work over Karate's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Zoplias showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zoplias, 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Zoplias!
Evan Zoplias bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.