PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zac Crawford (ranked 3083 p4p, 4986 weight class) and AJ Goodwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Crawford
vs
Goodwin

183 cm
24
145
11 - 11 - 0

179 cm
26
149
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zac Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, AJ Goodwin!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Goodwin.

Crawford tries to keep at a distance but Goodwin has taken the fight into the clinch.

Goodwin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Goodwin forces Crawford back against the cage and clinches.

Goodwin has hold of one of Crawford's legs. Crawford is fighting the takedown attempt but Goodwin gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Crawford preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Crawford looking for subs off his back but Goodwin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Goodwin wants to stand up but Crawford is controlling the position.
Goodwin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Crawford. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Goodwin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Crawford is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Crawford keeping full guard, as Goodwin tries to pass.
Crawford wants to sweep but no luck.
Crawford keeping moving, preventing Goodwin from controlling successfully.
Goodwin looking to pass the guard.

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.

Crawford looking for subs off his back but Goodwin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Crawford works his way to full guard. Good work.

Crawford looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Goodwin throws a big elbow that misses.
Crawford wants to sweep but no luck.

Crawford has his foot on Goodwin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Goodwin works his way back into a safe position though.
Goodwin is stalling in the full guard.
Crawford seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Let's hope that Goodwin 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Crawford stopping the sweep attempt from Goodwin.
Goodwin keeping full guard, as Crawford tries to pass.
Crawford trying to control the position from guard on top but Goodwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goodwin looking to control.
Crawford prevents Goodwin from getting back to his feet.
Goodwin keeping moving, preventing Crawford from controlling successfully.
Crawford really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Crawford drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Crawford jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Crawford passes Goodwin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodwin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Crawford wants to work for an arm triangle but Goodwin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Crawford is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Goodwin wants to get back to full guard.

Goodwin looking for submissions off his back.
Crawford moves nicely into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Crawford is working to tighten his grip on Goodwin's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Goodwin has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Crawford is really squeezing tight and eventually Goodwin passes out! Crawford breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Zac Crawford!
A determined Zac Crawford didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!