PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daniel James Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Crawford might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Kashmir. Zero has chosen Fozzy's "Shine Forever" as his entrance music. Daniel James Crawford is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

James Crawford
vs
Zero

190 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
193 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel James Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ray Zero!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zero closes the distance and clinches up with Crawford, looking for a takedown. Zero pushes Crawford against the cage but Crawford circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zero on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zero tries for a takedown but Crawford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Zero closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Crawford struggling a bit here.

Zero thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Crawford gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Crawford is trying to maintain the position but Zero is very close to passing his half guard.
Zero is looking to stall here but Crawford recovers full guard.

Zero gets to his feet. Crawford looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero tries for a takedown but Crawford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Daniel James Crawford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Zero.
Crawford cracks Zero with a good jab.
Crawford throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Crawford misses with the combination.
Zero tries to score a power double leg takedown but Crawford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zero somewhat.
Zero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Crawford is fending him off so far but Zero persists. Nope, Crawford circles away and we're back to standing.
Zero shoots and misses
and Crawford counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A left and a right from Crawford both land. Nice combination.
Zero tries for a takedown but Crawford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Crawford with a jab.
Zero dives in and grabs Crawford's left leg, looking for a takedown. Crawford pushes down on Zero's head and hops out.
Crawford throws a shot to the body.
Zero fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crawford jabs Zero right on the nose. Zero blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Crawford pinned against the cage. Crawford gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Crawford lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Daniel James Crawford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Crawford as he jumps to the side.
Crawford scores with a hook.
Zero looks for a takedown but Crawford sprawls well.
Zero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Crawford as he jumps to the side.
Zero looks winded!
Zero takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Crawford lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Crawford slaps away a takedown attempt from Zero, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Crawford connects with a single shot there.

Zero closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Crawford's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zero looking to sit in guard and control but Crawford gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Crawford would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Zero looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zero wants to control the position but Crawford says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Zero controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Crawford's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Crawford's back!
Crawford is trying to break free.

Zero looking to break Crawford's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Crawford remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Zero will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
You can see the frustration on Crawford's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Crawford is trying to get back to his feet but Zero has full control of the position and if anything, Crawford has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Zero is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Crawford knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Crawford for a finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Zero tightening his grip on Crawford, looking for the choke.

Zero sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Crawford taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ray Zero!
An out of breath Ray Zero thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.