PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Medusa Grip (ranked 601 p4p, 80 weight class) and Tiago Zuccari (ranked 24056 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiago Zuccari will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Grip
vs
Zuccari

186 cm
27
170 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
27
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

ZZ POPS

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Medusa Grip!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tiago Zuccari!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zuccari misses with the combination.
Grip throws a jab but it's blocked by Zuccari.
We've been hearing reports that Grip has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Grip misses with a double jab

and Zuccari counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Grip is looking to control Zuccari's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Grip avoid being mounted?

Zuccari seems to be working for a kimura but Grip defends the submission attempt.
Grip gets back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zuccari won't allow Grip to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuccari is looking to stand up but Grip won't let him.
Zuccari wants to control from the top but Grip keeps moving.
Grip manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zuccari manages to get himself to full guard.

Zuccari really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Grip. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zuccari trying to keep a closed guard but Grip is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zuccari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Grip thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zuccari wants to sweep here but Grip controlling him for the moment.

Grip drops back, looking for a kneebar! Zuccari looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Zuccari looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Zuccari!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuccari taking a breather here.
Grip prevents Zuccari from improving position.
Zuccari wants to control but Grip is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Grip's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grip gets back to half guard.
Grip controlling the position for now.
Zuccari is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Grip trying to control from the bottom.
Grip is positioning himself well to prevent Zuccari advancing to mount.
Zuccari wants to take a breather but Grip is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Grip is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zuccari's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zuccari's back!

Grip is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zuccari knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zuccari for a finish.
Grip tries to keep control of the position but Zuccari is staying busy.

Grip looking for the choke but no joy.

Grip is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Zuccari with him. Zuccari is trying to defend but Grip has an arm under the chin now! Zuccari grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Medusa Grip!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Medusa Grip made sure he mentioned ZZ POPS, along with how happy he was to win his fight.