PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Emmanuella Knapp (ranked 4599 p4p, 5592 weight class) and Zhang Wei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhang Wei is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Knapp
vs
Wei

183 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
180
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Emmanuella Knapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zhang Wei!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Knapp.

Knapp pushes Wei up against the cage in a clinch.
Wei wants to take the fight to the mat but Knapp manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Knapp is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Knapp dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Knapp seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

Wei manages to break the clinch.

Knapp moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wei has Knapp pressed against the cage, preventing Knapp from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Knapp's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Knapp wants to break free but Wei has control.

Wei has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Knapp uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knapp throws a strike but Wei rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wei working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wei throws a big elbow that misses.
Wei landing some decent shots from guard.
Knapp is looking to stand up but Wei isn't so interested in that idea.
Wei is in close to Knapp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wei works over Knapp with some ground and pound from guard.

Knapp is looking for a triangle but Wei pushes his legs off easily.
Wei scoring with punches to the head and body.
Knapp controls Wei momentarily but Wei frees himself.
Wei has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wei showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Wei throws a big elbow that misses.

Wei is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Knapp has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Wei off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Wei closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Knapp to the mat! Knapp manages to get full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knapp controls Wei momentarily but Wei frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knapp is looking to stand up but Wei isn't so interested in that idea.
Wei postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wei working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wei landing some decent shots from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wei keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knapp's head.
Wei looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Wei is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wei landing with the ground and pound.
Knapp on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Knapp tries to get out of the position.
Wei is in close to Knapp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wei lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wei is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wei sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Knapp's guard.
Wei is looking to take a break and control but Knapp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wei scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Knapp is not content to let Wei control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Wei dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wei shoots for a double leg takedown but Knapp sprawls well. He's pushed Wei's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Knapp has managed to clinch.

Wei drags the fight down to the ground.
Knapp has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wei is pulling down on Knapp's head to control his posture.

Knapp stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Wei throws up his legs and catches Knapp in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Knapp tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Wei! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Zhang Wei!
In his post fight interview, Zhang Wei started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.