PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charles Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Zapata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Charles Martin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Martin
vs
Zapata

185 cm
22
245 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Charles Martin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Zapata!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zapata keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Charles Martin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martin shoots in but no luck this time.
Martin fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Martin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zapata misses with the combination.
Martin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Martin shoots in and drives through. Zapata sprawls well.
Zapata throws a series of punches but Martin moves out of range.
Zapata throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Martin is rocked!

It looks like Charles Martin has been cut.
Good standup being displayed there by Zapata as he connects with a hook.
Oh Martin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zapata thows a left - swing and a miss!
Martin misses with a takedown attempt - Zapata sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Martin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zapata tries to avoid it but Martin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zapata to the ground. Zapata escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Zapata rushes Martin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Martin seems to have got his legs back now.
Martin goes for a takedown attempt but Zapata pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zapata throws a series of punches but Martin avoids them all with ease.
Martin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zapata is fending him off so far but Martin persists. Nope, Zapata circles away and we're back to standing.
Martin looks for a takedown but Zapata sprawls well.
Zapata tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Martin shoots for a takedown but Zapata saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Martin fails with a takedown attempt.
Martin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin misses with a takedown attempt - Zapata sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Martin shoots in for a takedown but Zapata shows good takedown defense.
Martin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zapata but Zapata pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Martin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zapata's waist but Zapata gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Martin off to one side.
Zapata drops Martin with a left right combo! Zapata follows him down to the ground into side control.
Martin is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Martin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Martin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zapata wants to get up but he can't break Martin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Martin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Martin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Martin wants to pass to mount but Zapata is defending the position.
Zapata really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Martin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Martin in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Zapata tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Martin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Charles Martin!