PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alejandro Zapata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martinez comes to the cage accompanied by Juicy. Zapata has chosen Tres Delinquentes as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Martinez
vs
Zapata

196 cm
27
223 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

191 cm
24
218 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rafael Martinez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alejandro Zapata!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martinez misses with a straight left.
Zapata jabs at Martinez's body.
Martinez walks into a stiff left hand from Zapata.

It looks like Rafael Martinez has been cut.
Zapata lands with a good body shot.

Zapata tries to keep at a distance but Martinez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zapata struggles to land a body shot inside as Martinez controls his hands.
Zapata blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Martinez fails to land.
Martinez slows down the pace here.
Martinez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Martinez wants to get back to striking at distance but Zapata won't allow it.
Martinez throws a punch but it's blocked by Zapata.
Zapata lands a nice uppercut.
Zapata prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapata lands a left hand that snaps the head of Martinez backwards.
Zapata fails to pull guard.
Zapata keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Martinez's efforts to push away.
Martinez lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Alejandro Zapata has been cut.
Martinez throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Zapata.

Martinez gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Zapata regains guard.

Zapata working for a triangle but Martinez defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zapata working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Martinez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Martinez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zapata throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapata wants to control the position but Martinez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Zapata looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Martinez drops an elbow to the side of Zapata's head.
Martinez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Martinez connects with a nice short shot to Zapata's temple.

Zapata looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Zapata actively working from the bottom here.
Zapata is refusing to be controlled, as Martinez sits in half guard.
Martinez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Martinez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zapata is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Martinez pulls his head out easily.
Martinez with the ground and pound but Zapata uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Martinez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Martinez misses the shot to the body.
Zapata takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Martinez looks to score with a jab to the body but Zapata is just out of range.
Martinez connects with a nice looking jab.
Zapata stuffs the takedown attempt from Martinez. Martinez gets slowly back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Zapata.
Martinez ducks under a wild hook from Zapata.
Martinez fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Martinez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez checks a leg kick nicely.
Zapata on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Martinez. Martinez obviously looking to wear him down.
Martinez misses with a head kick.
Martinez moves out of range of the leg kick from Zapata.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zapata misses with a body shot.
Martinez lands with a hook. Zapata tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zapata.
Martinez moves away from the strike by Zapata.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Zapata gets caught flat footed, as Martinez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zapata keeping moving, preventing Martinez from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rafael Martinez will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zapata avoids the body shot from Martinez.
Zapata cracks Martinez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zapata circles away from the clinch attempt
and Zapata counters with a left to the body.
Zapata misses with a low kick.
Zapata throws a lazy uppercut
and Martinez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A cross from Zapata lands.
Zapata looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Martinez ducks under a wild hook from Zapata.
Zapata moves out of range as Martinez strikes.
Zapata takes one to the chin there.
Alejandro Zapata seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Martinez throws a right hand that misses
letting Zapata counter with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Zapata throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Martinez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zapata displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Martinez throws out the jab.
Rafael Martinez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martinez swings for the body but Zapata moves out of range.
Martinez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zapata throws a chopping leg kick but Martinez manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Martinez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Martinez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zapata manages to avoid it.
Martinez throws a right and a left that Zapata avoids nicely.

Zapata feints and as Martinez raises his hands in defense, Zapata changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zapata tries to free his leg and advance position but Martinez is retaining full guard.
Zapata stands and throws Martinez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Martinez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zapata's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Martinez looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Zapata pushes past his half guard into mount!
Martinez in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Zapata looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Zapata cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Martinez tries to hold on but Zapata postures up.
Martinez tries to control the position but Zapata now has his back.

Martinez preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Zapata.
Zapata connects with a big shot to the side of Martinez's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martinez showing good submission defense here.
Martinez looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Zapata seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Martinez's chin but Martinez turns very nicely into Zapata's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Martinez.
Zapata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Zapata has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Martinez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Martinez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Martinez throws a strike but Zapata rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zapata trying to control the position from guard on top but Martinez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zapata.
Zapata tries to free his leg and advance position but Martinez is retaining full guard.
Zapata won't allow Martinez to sweep him here.

Martinez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Martinez looking for subs off his back but Zapata has passed one foot through into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martinez is refusing to be controlled, as Zapata sits in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Martinez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Martinez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zapata.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Zapata showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Zapata connects with a right hand. Martinez shakes it off.

Rafael Martinez's cut is getting worse.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown but Martinez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Martinez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zapata.
Martinez lands a nice looking body shot.

Martinez shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zapata manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Martinez trying to control but Zapata is working from the bottom.
Martinez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Zapata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Martinez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Zapata is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Martinez distracts Zapata with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zapata is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Zapata working for a triangle but Martinez defends it easily.
Martinez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Martinez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Zapata escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Martinez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Martinez tries to free his leg and advance position but Zapata is retaining full guard.
Martinez wants to control from the top but Zapata keeps moving.
Martinez throwing strikes from guard but Zapata blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martinez drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zapata dives on top into guard.
Zapata tries to free his leg and advance position but Martinez is retaining full guard.
Zapata wants to control from the top but Martinez keeps moving.
Zapata trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zapata trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Martinez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zapata defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Martinez keeping moving, preventing Zapata from controlling successfully.
Zapata connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zapata is one step ahead there.
Martinez keeping full guard, as Zapata tries to pass.

Martinez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zapata postures up in Martinez's guard and throws a big left but Martinez blocks it.
Martinez wants to control but Zapata passes easily into half guard.

Zapata is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Martinez is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Alejandro Zapata!
Alejandro Zapata took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.