PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Night Zono (ranked 3255 p4p, 24929 weight class) and William Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Zono
vs
Castillo

225 cm
29
300
4 - 6 - 0

200 cm
25
300
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Night Zono!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, William Castillo!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Castillo misses.
Zono tries to score a power double leg takedown but Castillo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zono somewhat.
Zono stuffs the takedown attempt from Castillo. Castillo gets slowly back to his feet.
Zono doesn't manage to clinch there - Castillo circles away.
Night Zono seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zono shoots for a takedown but Castillo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Castillo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Zono rushes Castillo and presses him up against the cage.

Castillo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zono fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Castillo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Zono darts in and clinches Castillo up against the cage.

Castillo breaks from the clinch.
Castillo tries for a takedown but Zono sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Night Zono has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.
Zono shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A punch combination from Zono misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo tries to land a front kick but Zono steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Castillo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Castillo shoots for a takedown but Zono saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Castillo on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Zono closes the distance and pushes Castillo back into the cage.
Castillo avoiding damage as Zono throws knees to the body.
Castillo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zono to keep the fight standing.
Castillo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Castillo tries to pull guard but Zono holds him up against the cage and eventually Castillo drops back down to his feet.

Zono's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Castillo tries for a takedown but Zono sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zono throws a series of punches but Castillo moves out of range.

Zono rushes Castillo and presses him up against the cage.
Zono gets underhooks to prevent Castillo's takedown attempt.
A left hand lands to the body for Castillo.
Zono is breathing heavily.
Zono managing to block the knees to the body from Castillo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castillo avoids the elbow strike from Zono, against the cage.
Zono tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Castillo avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castillo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zono gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Castillo misses with an elbow strike.
Zono trying to land knees to the body.
Castillo jumps guard but Zono turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zono looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Castillo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Castillo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Zono stands and steps away. Castillo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Zono is looking to clinch but Castillo is avoiding it.

Castillo rushes Zono and presses him up against the cage.

Castillo successfully pulls guard.
Castillo controls Zono momentarily but Zono frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo working a defensive guard but Zono passes into half guard.

Zono stands up from half guard.

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.

Zono instigates a clinch.
Zono misses with the head strike.
Zono prevents the takedown attempt.
Castillo managing to block the knees to the body from Zono.
Castillo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Castillo jumps guard but Zono stands there with Castillo around his waist. Castillo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zono missing with knees to the body.
Zono misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zono throws an elbow that misses.
Castillo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zono just stands there and leans against the cage.

Castillo breaks the clinch.
Zono avoids the body shot from Castillo.

Castillo closes the distance and pushes Zono back into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Castillo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zono is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Night Zono is winning the standup battle so far.
Zono thuds his right hand into Castillo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zono tries to clinch there but Castillo circles away.
Castillo dives in and grabs Zono's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zono pushes down on Castillo's head and hops out.
Castillo misses with a straight right.
Zono misses with the combination.
Castillo takes one on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zono stuffs the takedown attempt from Castillo. Castillo gets slowly back to his feet.
Zono is looking to clinch but Castillo is avoiding it.
Castillo is looking for the big counter here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zono!
Zono tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zono tries to clinch up but Castillo circles away and keeps his distance.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Night Zono has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.
Nice uppercut lands for Zono. That snapped Castillo's head back.

Castillo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zono looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Castillo avoids a wild elbow strike from Zono.
Castillo blocks an uppercut.
Castillo slowing the pace effectively.
Castillo managing to block the knees to the body from Zono.

Castillo breaks the clinch.
Zono is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zono connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Castillo momentarily.

Zono clinches up against the cage.
Castillo leaning his opponent against the cage.

Castillo successfully pulls guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Castillo can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zono got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castillo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zono has managed to get both his arms back between Castillo's legs - danger averted.

Zono stands up from Castillo's guard - Zono perhaps looking for a knockout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Castillo.
Castillo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Castillo is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zono stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zono wants it to stay on the feet.
Zono avoids the body shot from Castillo.
Nice body punch from Zono.
Jab, jab by Zono - just one landing.
Castillo closes the distance and clinches up with Zono, looking for a takedown. Castillo pushes Zono against the cage but Zono circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Zono gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Zono.
Castillo avoids a wild elbow strike from Zono.

Zono manages to break the clinch.

Zono drives through and clinches with Castillo against the cage.
Castillo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zono after a bit of a struggle.
Castillo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Castillo is trying to force a seperation but Zono has the dominant position.
Castillo tries to pull guard but Zono forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Castillo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zono walks away with a smile on his face. Castillo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zono, as that shot connected.
Zono moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like William Castillo has been cut.
Zono is trying hard to land a takedown here. Castillo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Castillo tries to clinch up but Zono circles away and keeps his distance.
Castillo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zono lands with a hook. Castillo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Jab by Zono.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Zono looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zono scores with a nice head shot.
Zono misses the shot to the body.
Zono doesn't manage to clinch there - Castillo circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zono.
Castillo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Castillo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zono.
Castillo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Castillo tries for a takedown but Zono sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Night Zono dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on William Castillo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zono throws a series of punches but Castillo avoids them all with ease.
Castillo dodges the punch combination from Zono.
Zono tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Castillo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Castillo unleashes a big counter combination but Zono bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Castillo shoots in but no luck this time.
Castillo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zono circles away.
Zono tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castillo swivels and escapes.
Zono displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Castillo.
Night Zono has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.

Castillo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Zono pushes Castillo off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zono connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zono is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castillo clinches up with Zono and pushes him back against the cage.
Castillo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Night Zono has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zono is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Castillo is defending well for now.
Castillo slows down the pace here.

Castillo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zono checks the leg kick nicely there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Castillo.
Castillo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zono punishes Castillo's body with a nice straight punch.
Zono is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Castillo can do to turn this around?

Zono gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castillo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zono misses with the head strike.
Zono swings wildly with an uppercut but Castillo uses good head movement to avoid it.

Castillo breaks from the clinch.
Castillo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zono but Zono pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zono swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Zono is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Castillo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zono was well out of range. Poor timing from Castillo.
Zono lands with a right hand.
Nice takedown defense from Castillo. No joy for Zono on that attempt.
Castillo swats away the attempt to clinch by Zono.
Castillo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zono changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zono tries to clinch but Castillo moves out of range.
Castillo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zono pinned against the cage. Zono gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Night Zono is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zono tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Castillo defends well and Zono ends up having to push Castillo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Castillo.

Castillo breaks the clinch.
Zono doesn't manage to clinch there - Castillo circles away.
Castillo tries for a takedown but Zono sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Castillo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zono but Zono pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zono fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castillo on the side of the head.
Castillo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zono swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zono sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Castillo somewhat.
Zono fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castillo on the side of the head.
Castillo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zono manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Zono drives through and clinches with Castillo against the cage.
Zono tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Castillo avoids it.
Castillo pressing his opponent against the cage.

Castillo decides to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zono wants to stand and escape but instead Castillo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Night Zono showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zono, 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Night Zono!