PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zack Meachum (ranked 3669 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Fields (ranked 23980 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Fields is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Meachum
vs
Fields

177 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
178 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zack Meachum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Fields!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fields keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Meachum has closed the distance and engaged Fields in a clinch.
Fields tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Meachum tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fields avoids it.
Fields tries to break free but Meachum pushes him back against the cage.
Meachum is pressed up against the cage. Fields has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meachum down to the mat. Meachum avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Fields. No joy for Meachum on that attempt.
Fields tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Meachum darts in looking for a takedown but Fields gets double underhooks and turns Meachum into the cage.
Meachum stuffs the takedown attempt from Fields. Fields gets slowly back to his feet.
Zack Meachum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Fields.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fields will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Meachum was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Fields shoots for a double leg takedown but Meachum sprawls well. He's pushed Fields's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've been hearing reports that Meachum has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fields.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meachum leaves Fields with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chris Fields seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fields misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fields shoots for a double leg takedown but Meachum sprawls well. He's pushed Fields's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Meachum forces Fields back against the cage and clinches.
Meachum has Fields pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fields manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Meachum gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Meachum blocks the strikes from Fields.
Fields has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Meachum is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Fields looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Meachum is nestled in close to Fields, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meachum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Fields flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Meachum not doing much here.
Meachum scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Meachum wants to control but Fields is keeping him busy.
Fields won't allow Meachum to pass to mount.
Fields taking some punishment here, with Meachum in his half guard.
Fields is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Meachum looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meachum seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fields does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fields is trying to maintain the position but Meachum is very close to passing his half guard.
Fields tries to roll over but Meachum keeps him under control.
Meachum slips a nice elbow through Fields's hands, connecting with Fields's forehead.
Meachum is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fields can do anything to dispel that myth.
Meachum is nestled in close to Fields, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fields trying to hold on to Meachum's head to control him but Meachum postures up.
Meachum 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.

Fields actively working from the bottom here.
Fields throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Meachum connects with a nice short shot to Fields's temple.
Meachum thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Meachum lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fields is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Meachum's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Meachum's back!
Meachum tries to escape but Fields has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Fields is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Meachum has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Meachum dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fields shoots in looking for a takedown. Meachum tries to sprawl out of it but Fields keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Meachum manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Meachum was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fields stuffs the takedown attempt from Meachum. Meachum gets slowly back to his feet.
Fields is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Fields closes the distance and pushes Meachum back into the cage.
Meachum has a couple of punches blocked by Fields.
Fields tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fields fails to pull guard.
Zack Meachum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Fields.

Meachum lands a takedown into guard.
Meachum is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fields can do to turn this around?
Fields looking to control.

Fields is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Meachum defends well.
Meachum engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fields avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Fields has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Meachum can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Meachum wants to pass the guard but Fields is keeping the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Meachum pushes down on Fields's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Meachum sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Fields wants to get back to full guard.

Fields actively working from the bottom here.
Meachum controlling the pace.
Fields trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fields is looking for a sweep. Meachum is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Meachum seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Meachum has Fields up against the cage in a clinch.
Meachum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Meachum is pressed up against the cage. Fields has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Meachum down to the mat. Meachum avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fields shoots for a takedown but Meachum saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Meachum was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fields stuffs the takedown.
Fields dives in and grabs Meachum's left leg, looking for a takedown. Meachum pushes down on Fields's head and hops out.
Meachum is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fields.
Fields shoots in looking for a takedown. Meachum tries to sprawl out of it but Fields keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Meachum manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Meachum gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Meachum is working for takedown but Fields is calmly controlling the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fields has picked Meachum up - he's going for a ride! Fields dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Meachum controlling the position for now.

Fields is working for a kimura but Meachum is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Meachum dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Meachum has Fields up against the cage in a clinch.
Meachum throws a punch but it's blocked by Fields.
Fields changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Meachum fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fields misses with a takedown attempt - Meachum sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fields will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zack Meachum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Fields.

Meachum moves into the clinch successfully.
Meachum scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fields wants a takedown but no success here.

Fields is fighting off a takedown attempt but Meachum is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Fields to the mat. Fields regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meachum is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Meachum has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Fields is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Meachum lands a couple of digs.
Meachum sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fields tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Meachum sitting in guard here, content to control.
Meachum's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fields is trying to keep Meachum in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Meachum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fields.
Meachum misses with a two punch combination.
Meachum fails to land the takedown.

Meachum clinches up against the cage.

Meachum lands a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Meachum got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fields has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Meachum has managed to get both his arms back between Fields's legs - danger averted.
Zack Meachum overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Meachum trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Meachum missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fields with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Meachum can't handle though.
Meachum working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fields is trying to control the position but Meachum postures up.

Fields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Meachum lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Meachum is stalling in the full guard.
Meachum trying to control the position from guard on top but Fields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Fields looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zack Meachum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Meachum sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Meachum closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Meachum wants to land a leg kick but Fields is out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fields fails to land the takedown.
Chris Fields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meachum throws a half hearted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Meachum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Meachum has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Meachum!
Zack Meachum decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.