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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Akoni Zidane (ranked 1548 p4p, 4517 weight class) and Branislav Britton (ranked 100 p4p, 251 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!
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| 169 cm
26
139
4 - 0 - 0 |
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150 cm
21
140
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent |
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Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Akoni Zidane!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Branislav Britton !
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zidane stalks Britton and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Britton 's face. Britton staggers backwards, shaken.
Zidane ducks under a wild hook from Britton .
And Zidane counters with a quick kick to the body but Britton blocks it.
Britton shoots for a double leg takedown but Zidane sprawls well. He's pushed Britton 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zidane closes the distance and clinches.
Zidane pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Britton ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zidane moves away.
Britton misses with an uppercut.
Britton throws a jab but it's blocked by Zidane.
Zidane pushes Britton up against the cage in a clinch.
Zidane works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zidane pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Britton is keeping the position for now.
Zidane throwing strikes from guard but Britton blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zidane tries to free his leg and advance position but Britton is retaining full guard.
Zidane controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zidane knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Britton on the ground.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Britton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zidane is stalling in the full guard.
Zidane advances position into side control!
Zidane tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Britton sneaks back into half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Britton tries to get to full guard but Zidane has control of the leg.
Britton felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Zidane is looking to take a break and control but Britton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Britton is pressing down on Zidane's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zidane postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Britton is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Zidane, into his guard.
Zidane wants to stand and escape but Britton is having none of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Britton landing with the ground and pound.
Zidane is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zidane utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Britton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Britton is stalling in the full guard.
Britton prevents Zidane from getting back to his feet.
Britton connects with a couple of short punches.
Britton wants to control from the top but Zidane keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Britton controlling from the top position.
Zidane is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Zidane uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Britton .
Zidane has Britton up against the cage in a clinch.
Britton wants to stall.
Britton is trying to maintain a safe position but Zidane gets an underhook and turns Britton into the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zidane is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zidane breaks the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akoni Zidane dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Britton ducks right into an uppercut from Zidane.
Britton misses with a takedown
and Zidane counters with an outside leg kick.
Britton throws a looping overhand right but Zidane ducks down to avoid it.
Zidane darts in and clinches Britton up against the cage.
Zidane lands a right hand.
Zidane is working for takedown but Britton is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zidane utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zidane is working for takedown but Britton is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zidane is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Britton can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zidane is pressed up against the cage. Britton has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zidane down to the mat. Zidane avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zidane uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Britton .
Zidane slips a jab from Britton .
Zidane fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Britton .
Zidane misses with the combination.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Britton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zidane manages to avoid it.
Zidane gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zidane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zidane moves into the clinch.
Zidane lands a shoulder strike.
Zidane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akoni Zidane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zidane ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zidane no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Britton trying to control the position from guard on top but Zidane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zidane will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Britton seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Britton trying to control the position from guard on top but Zidane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Britton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Britton is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zidane.
It looks like Branislav Britton has been cut.
Britton moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zidane tries to land a front kick but Britton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zidane closes the distance and clinches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zidane is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zidane wants a takedown but no success here.
Zidane tries to pull guard but Britton holds him up against the cage and eventually Zidane drops back down to his feet.
Zidane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Britton throws a jab but it's blocked by Zidane.
Britton misses the shot to the body.
Zidane appears to be looking for a big counter.
Zidane defending well as Britton loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Britton misses its intended target.
Britton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zidane is trying to stand up here but Britton is controlling him well.
Britton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zidane manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Britton misses with a looping left.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zidane slaps away a takedown attempt from Britton , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zidane half committed to a counter leg kick.
Akoni Zidane is winning the standup battle so far.
Britton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zidane.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Britton throws a big shot that misses.
Zidane lands with a hook. Britton tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Britton throws a shot from downtown. Zidane moves away and avoids it.
Britton takes a swing at Zidane's ribcage but misses.
Zidane pushes Britton up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Britton prevents the takedown attempt.
Zidane jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Britton walks away with a smile on his face. Zidane gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Akoni Zidane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of Britton 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Britton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zidane.
Zidane pushes Britton up against the cage in a clinch.
Zidane changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Britton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akoni Zidane dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Branislav Britton 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Zidane feints a jab promting Britton to slip. Zidane then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Britton slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Zidane connects with a high kick.
Zidane lands with a hook. Britton tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Britton misses with a straight right.
Britton is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Britton throws a shot from downtown. Zidane moves away and avoids it.
Zidane throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zidane comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A slow jab from Britton misses its intended target.
Britton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zidane is looking to counter punch.
Branislav Britton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zidane clinches up against the cage.
Britton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zidane pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Britton tries a body shot but Zidane blocks it.
Zidane changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Britton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zidane scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zidane slips a jab from Britton .
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Britton crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zidane - the referee stops the clock and Britton gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zidane. Britton manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zidane pushes Britton up against the cage in a clinch.
Zidane tries to score a body lock takedown but Britton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zidane manages to break the clinch.
Zidane gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zidane.
Zidane drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akoni Zidane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zidane has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Britton regains guard immediately.
Zidane has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Britton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zidane defends it easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Britton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Britton keeping full guard, as Zidane tries to pass.
Zidane stays in close to Britton 's body and controls the position.
Zidane wants to stand and escape but instead Britton has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Zidane being controlled here, momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Britton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Britton trying to control but Zidane is working from the bottom.
Britton prevents Zidane from getting back to his feet.
Britton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Zidane has momentary wrist control but Britton slips an elbow through the middle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Britton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akoni Zidane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Britton passes into half guard.
Zidane wants to get back to his feet.
Britton not doing much here.
Let's hope that Britton has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Britton closes the distance and clinches up with Zidane, looking for a takedown. Britton pushes Zidane against the cage but Zidane circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zidane tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Britton manages to circle out of the way.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akoni Zidane clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Branislav Britton 's cut.
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.
Britton takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Britton is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zidane.
Britton misses with an uppercut. Zidane saw that one coming.
Britton throws a jab but it's blocked by Zidane.
Jab, jab by Zidane - just one landing.
A combination from Zidane does no damage.
Zidane blocks a jab.
Zidane slips under a jab.
Britton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zidane.
Zidane misses with a double jab.
Zidane is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A slow jab from Britton misses its intended target.
Zidane tests Britton 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Britton looks to score with a jab to the body but Zidane is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Britton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zidane.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zidane. Britton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zidane scoring well with a low kick there.
Britton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zidane pinned against the cage. Zidane gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Britton misses the target.
Britton throws a hook to the side of Zidane's head but Zidane sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Britton misses with a body shot.
Zidane stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Zidane with a hook.
Zidane misses with a series of wild punches.
Zidane looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Akoni Zidane is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zidane moves out of range of the strikes.
Zidane will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Britton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zidane defends it well.
Britton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zidane.
Britton fails to land the takedown.
Britton misses with a right hand
and Zidane counters with a left and a right that stings Britton .
Britton missing with a left hand there. Zidane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A big right from Britton misses.
Zidane tried to counter with a leg kick but Britton avoided it.
Britton throws a lazy uppercut
and Zidane counters with a stiff right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Britton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zidane is trying to defend but Britton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Britton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zidane keeps working.
Britton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zidane is trying to stand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zidane taking some punishment here, with Britton in his half guard.
Britton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zidane keeps working.
Still in half guard, Britton seems content to control.
Britton working over Zidane with some ground and pound. Zidane looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Britton controlling the action here.
Zidane makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Britton just misses with a punch to the body.
Zidane doesn't manage to clinch there - Britton circles away.
Zidane lands a really nice looking cross but Britton seems unphased.
Britton shoots in looking for a takedown. Zidane tries to sprawl out of it but Britton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zidane manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Akoni Zidane has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Branislav Britton .
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Britton throws a jab but it's blocked by Zidane.
A left lands for Zidane.
A slow jab from Britton misses its intended target.
Britton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zidane was well out of range. Poor timing from Britton .
A slow jab from Britton misses its intended target.
Britton throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zidane counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Britton takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zidane ducks under a wild hook from Britton .
Zidane seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Britton throws a body shot but no joy.
Zidane tries to counter by clinching up but Britton breaks away and moves out of range.
Zidane moves away from the strike by Britton .
Zidane wants to clinch up but Britton keeps it at a distance.
Britton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zidane defends it well.
Zidane connects with a high kick.
Zidane slips a jab from Britton .
Britton looks to land a left hand but Zidane moved out of range nicely.
Zidane closes the distance and clinches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Akoni Zidane had his way with Branislav Britton in that round.
The cut man is working on Branislav Britton 's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Zidane takes the fight into the clinch.
Zidane jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Britton walks away with a smile on his face. Zidane gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zidane tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zidane has closed the distance and engaged Britton in a clinch.
Zidane breaks from the clinch.
A jab from Britton misses.
Zidane tries to counter by clinching up but Britton breaks away and moves out of range.
Zidane lands a leg kick that knocks Britton off balance momentarily.
Zidane lands a glancing blow to the side of Britton 's head.
Britton throws a hook but Zidane avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zidane lands a lovely overhand right.
Zidane takes the fight into the clinch.
Zidane lands a nice uppercut.
Zidane displaying some good clinch control by pressing Britton up against the cage.
Akoni Zidane has scored more points in the clinch so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zidane drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Britton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zidane pulls guard successfully.
Britton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Britton cracks Zidane with a solid left hand.
Zidane keeping moving, preventing Britton from controlling successfully.
Zidane working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Britton .
Zidane wants to stand and escape but Britton is having none of it.
Britton is stalling in the full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Britton throws a hook but Zidane blocks it.
Zidane scores with a jab to the jaw.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zidane doesn't manage to clinch there - Britton circles away.
Zidane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Britton .
Britton throws a big shot that misses.
Zidane moves into the clinch successfully.
Zidane is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Britton is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akoni Zidane. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zidane breaks the clinch.
Zidane steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Britton .
Britton goes for a double leg but Zidane avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zidane continues to drive forward.
Zidane bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zidane is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zidane moves into range and clinches up with Britton .
Zidane jumps guard.
Zidane keeping moving, preventing Britton from controlling successfully.
Britton postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zidane is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Britton is controlling him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Britton trying to control the position from guard on top but Zidane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Britton slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Britton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Britton prevents Zidane from getting back to his feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Branislav Britton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zidane tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Britton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that's the end of the fight!
Akoni Zidane showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zidane, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akoni Zidane!
Akoni Zidane retains his bantamweight title!
Akoni Zidane spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
47% |
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