PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Olan Zapina (ranked 3240 p4p, 1566 weight class) and Ernesto Romero (ranked 265 p4p, 140 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zapina
vs
Romero

174 cm
28
150
5 - 4 - 0

165 cm
28
150
7 - 3 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Heavy handed

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Olan Zapina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ernesto Romero!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romero lunges at Zapina with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zapina's hand.
Zapina lands with a kick to the temple. Romero shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Romero throws a shot from downtown. Zapina moves away and avoids it.
It appears Zapina was looking to counter with a kick there.
Zapina throws a sloppy head kick and Romero moves out of range easily.
Zapina uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.
Romero throws a jab but it's blocked by Zapina.
Zapina tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Romero throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ernesto Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zapina throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zapina lands a nice looking kick to the body. Romero takes a step back to recover.
Romero misses with a looping left.
Romero's coach down at MMA Training and Sparring Buddies was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Romero's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Zapina is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Romero! But no joy.

Zapina takes the fight into the clinch.
Romero misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zapina throws a punch but it's blocked by Romero.
Zapina doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zapina tries to throw a body punch but Romero avoids it by throwing Zapina back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapina throws an elbow that misses.
Romero avoids a wild elbow strike from Zapina.
Romero working aggressively here.
Romero is trying to force a seperation but Zapina has the dominant position.

Romero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Romero missing with a left hand there. Zapina was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Romero looks to throw the jab but Zapina is out of range.
Zapina takes one to the chin there.

Romero instigates a clinch.
Romero has had enough of the clinch but Zapina keeps him there for the moment.

Romero breaks the clinch.
Zapina lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Romero on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zapina. Zapina obviously looking to wear him down.
A jab from Romero misses.
Romero is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zapina.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero moves out of range as Zapina throws a body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Romero! But no joy.
Romero throws a lazy right hand but Zapina sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zapina swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Romero avoids a kick to the body.
Romero slips under a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Romero moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zapina turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Romero swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zapina.
Romero throws a big shot that misses.
Zapina feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Zapina scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Romero doesn't seem bothered though.
Zapina fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Zapina.
Romero scores with a jab. Zapina acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Romero on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Romero throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zapina uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.
As Romero looks to move away, Zapina throws a big counter combo but Romero just gets out of the way.
Zapina ducks under a wild hook from Romero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Romero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Romero keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Zapina keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Romero.
Zapina is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romero misses with a straight left.
Zapina throws a head kick that Romero semi-blocks.
Zapina defending well as Romero loads up on a big left hand.
Zapina looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Zapina tries to clinch there but Romero circles away.
Zapina pushes Romero away with a front kick.
Zapina throws a sloppy head kick and Romero moves out of range easily.
A good leg kick by Zapina.
Zapina uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.

Romero rushes Zapina and presses him up against the cage.
Romero prevents a body shot from Zapina.
Zapina lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapina throws an elbow but it misses.
Zapina can't find room to land a body shot as Romero controls the action.
Nice elbow from Zapina.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romero makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zapina misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Romero manages to break the clinch.
Romero blocks a head kick by Zapina.
Romero scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zapina in his tracks.

Zapina gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Romero tries to circle away but Zapina has him pinned against the cage.
Zapina gets through Romero's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Romero scores with a nice short uppercut.
Romero lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zapina.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Olan Zapina will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Romero sizes up Zapina with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Romero in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Romero loads up on a big right hand but Zapina slips the punch.
Decent striking displayed by Romero there.
Zapina takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Romero clinches.
Olan Zapina has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Romero breaks from the clinch.
Zapina with a nice calf kick.
Romero throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zapina sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zapina swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Romero. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Romero.
Zapina slips a jab from Romero.
Zapina throws a quick counter head kick but Romero was just out of range.
Zapina tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Romero closes the distance and pushes Zapina back into the cage.
Zapina misses with an elbow over the top.

Romero breaks the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zapina misses with a body kick.
Zapina throws a head kick that half lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapina pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big left from Romero misses.
Ernesto Romero seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Romero uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Zapina rushes Romero and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Romero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zapina defending well as Romero loads up on a big left hand.
Zapina shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zapina lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Romero misses with a hook.
Romero throws the left hand but Zapina avoids the punch easily.
Zapina fails with an attempt to clinch.
Romero might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Zapina tries to close the distance and clinch up but Romero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zapina throws a head kick that misses.
Zapina uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Romero.
Romero moves out of range of the body kick.
Romero throws a hook but Zapina blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapina is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little jabbing left from Romero on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zapina lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zapina wants to clinch.
Zapina walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Romero jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Romero backs away, Zapina returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Romero looks to land a right hand but Zapina moved out of range.
Zapina swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Romero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zapina, pushing him back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Romero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zapina throws a looping overhand right but Romero ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Zapina.
Romero looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Romero throws a jab when Zapina was well out of range.
Romero misses with an uppercut. Zapina saw that one coming.

Romero pushes Zapina up against the cage in a clinch.

Romero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Romero moves into the clinch.
Zapina tries to throw a body punch but Romero avoids it by throwing Zapina back against the cage.
Zapina throws an elbow that misses.
Zapina misses with a punch to the body.
Romero blocks an elbow strike.
Zapina tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romero's elbow.
Romero lands a shoulder strike.

Romero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Romero throws out a loose jab but Zapina uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zapina scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapina looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Romero is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zapina moves out of range as Romero strikes.
Romero throws a lazy right hand but Zapina sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
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!
Zapina takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zapina moves out of range of the strikes.
Romero connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Romero throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zapina is looking to clinch but Romero is avoiding it.
Zapina jabs Romero to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zapina uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Romero.
Zapina throws a hook but Romero avoids it easily.
Romero throws a hook but Zapina blocks it.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good leg kick by Zapina.

Romero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zapina, pushing him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ernesto Romero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zapina wants to clinch.
Romero looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zapina uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romero.
Zapina tries to land a leg kick but Romero saw it coming and moves away.
Zapina is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romero throws an overhand right that lands on Zapina's shoulder, as Zapina tries to avoid the shot.
Romero takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Romero throws an overhand right that lands on Zapina's shoulder, as Zapina tries to avoid the shot.
A slow jab from Romero misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Romero looks to land a left hand but Zapina moved out of range nicely.
Zapina throws a counter high kick but Romero was just alert enough to avoid it.
Zapina pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zapina walks into a jab.
Romero misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Romero misses the target.
It looked like Zapina was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circling - Romero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zapina gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Romero connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Good leg kick by Zapina.
Zapina tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Romero manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Romero swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zapina is looking to clinch.
Romero looks to throw the jab but Zapina is out of range.
Zapina drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zapina. That's going to slow Romero down.
Zapina throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zapina uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Romero.
Zapina feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Romero checks a leg kick nicely.
Romero throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zapina throws a quick counter kick to the body but Romero avoids it.

Romero moves into the clinch successfully.

Romero breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero cracks Zapina with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Romero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A quick step to the side and Zapina tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Romero sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zapina throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Romero looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zapina throws a shot from downtown. Romero moves away and avoids it.
Romero jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zapina tries to close the distance and clinch up but Romero swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zapina slips under a jab from Romero.
Romero's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Romero misses with a left hand
and Zapina counters with a nice kick to the body.
Romero jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Romero is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zapina.
Zapina misses with a looping right.
Zapina is looking to land body kicks.
Romero swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zapina looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Romero rushes Zapina and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapina lands a right hand that snaps the head of Romero backwards.
Zapina doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zapina doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Romero has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Zapina.
Romero prevents a body shot from Zapina.
Romero blocks an elbow strike.
Zapina tries a body shot but Romero blocks it.

Romero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
An inside leg kick lands from Zapina.
Zapina throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Romero misses the target.
Romero fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zapina on the side of the head.
Zapina tries to close the distance and clinch but Romero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Romero looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Romero throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zapina sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Romero throws out a loose jab but Zapina uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zapina half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapina misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Romero.
A big left from Romero misses.
Zapina lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A lazy left from Romero finds it's target.
Zapina throws out a leg kick but Romero moves out of range and Zapina only half commits.
Romero misses with a hook.
Romero scores with a nice head shot.
Zapina throws a leg kick
and Romero counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapina is looking to clinch but Romero is avoiding it.
Zapina bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zapina is looking to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Zapina.
Romero throws the left hand but Zapina avoids the punch easily.
Zapina fires out a quick counter leg kick but Romero just manages to avoid it.
Romero thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zapina thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Romero if he has to take too many more of those.
Romero looks to throw the jab but Zapina is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ernesto Romero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Romero has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernesto Romero!
After the big win, Ernesto Romero made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Silverguard Outfitters 🛡 and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.