PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mikolaj Zgola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tope Lionheart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Zgola
vs
Lionheart

180 cm
19
153 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mikolaj Zgola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tope Lionheart!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lionheart forces Zgola back against the cage and clinches.
Zgola is working for takedown but Lionheart is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zgola tries to score a body lock takedown but Lionheart shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zgola has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lionheart after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikolaj Zgola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zgola has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lionheart avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zgola keeps control of Lionheart as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zgola is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lionheart stops a takedown attempt from Zgola.
Zgola wants to take the fight to the mat but Lionheart manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Zgola is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lionheart is defending well.
Zgola can't get the takedown.
Zgola is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lionheart is trying to break the clinch but Zgola is controlling him.
Zgola is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zgola looking for a takedown.
Zgola is breathing heavily.
Lionheart wants to break free but Zgola has control.
Lionheart wants to get back to striking at distance but Zgola won't allow it.
Lionheart wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zgola has him pressed against the cage.
Zgola goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lionheart prevents it.
Lionheart is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zgola looking for a takedown.
Lionheart is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Lionheart is trying to push Zgola away but Zgola has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've been hearing reports that Zgola has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Zgola keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lionheart's efforts to push away.
Zgola can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zgola has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lionheart after a bit of a struggle.
Lionheart wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lionheart tries to break free but Zgola pushes him back against the cage.
Zgola is working for takedown but Lionheart is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zgola is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lionheart is pressed up against the cage. Zgola has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lionheart down to the mat. Lionheart avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lionheart lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lionheart fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zgola, pushing him back against the cage.

Lionheart pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lionheart connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zgola momentarily.

Lionheart darts in and clinches Zgola up against the cage.
Lionheart wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zgola is working for takedown but Lionheart is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zgola prevents Lionheart from breaking the clinch.
Zgola wants a takedown but no success here.

Lionheart drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zgola stops Lionheart from standing up.
Lionheart seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Zgola stops Lionheart from standing up.

Lionheart has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Zgola is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zgola has Lionheart pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lionheart manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zgola has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lionheart is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lionheart working hard to break the clinch.
Lionheart wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zgola goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lionheart prevents it.
Lionheart gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zgola.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zgola wants to take the fight to the mat but Lionheart manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tope Lionheart dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lionheart dips to his left and cracks Zgola with an uppercut!
Lionheart wants to clinch up but Zgola keeps it at a distance.
Lionheart throws a hook but Zgola blocks it.
Zgola shoots in looking for a takedown but Lionheart manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zgola's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lionheart cracks Zgola with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zgola blocks a jab.
Zgola misses with a takedown attempt - Lionheart sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lionheart darts in trying to clinch

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Zgola decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lionheart's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zgola stops Lionheart from standing up.
Lionheart is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Zgola looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Lionheart keeping moving, preventing Zgola from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lionheart wants to stand up but Zgola is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mikolaj Zgola wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Lionheart moves in looking to clinch but Zgola pushes him off.
Lionheart tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zgola takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lionheart moves in looking to clinch but Zgola pushes him off.
Lionheart bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zgola's head backwards.
Zgola shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lionheart defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikolaj Zgola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lionheart tries to clinch but Zgola moves out of range.
Lionheart tries to clinch up but Zgola circles away and keeps his distance.
Lionheart shoots in but no luck this time.
Lionheart is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zgola tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lionheart swivels and escapes.

Lionheart has closed the distance and engaged Zgola in a clinch.
Lionheart gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zgola.
Lionheart is trying to break the clinch but Zgola is controlling him.
Zgola goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lionheart prevents it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zgola drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zgola tries to score a body lock takedown but Lionheart shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zgola is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lionheart is defending well.
Lionheart is trying to break the clinch but Zgola is controlling him.
Tope Lionheart seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zgola goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lionheart prevents it.
Zgola keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lionheart's efforts to push away.
Zgola has Lionheart pressed against the cage, preventing Lionheart from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zgola is working for takedown but Lionheart is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zgola wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart can't break the clinch.
Zgola drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lionheart is looking to break free of the clinch but Zgola has double underhooks.
Zgola keeps control of Lionheart as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zgola keeps control of Lionheart as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lionheart tries to circle away but Zgola has him pinned against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zgola tries to score a body lock takedown but Lionheart shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lionheart prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lionheart wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tope Lionheart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Lionheart forces Zgola back against the cage and clinches.
Lionheart prevents the takedown attempt.
Zgola is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lionheart gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zgola looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikolaj Zgola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zgola changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lionheart fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zgola on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lionheart.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lionheart is looking to break free of the clinch but Zgola has double underhooks.
Zgola wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lionheart wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zgola has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lionheart wants to break free but Zgola has control.
Lionheart wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zgola has Lionheart pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lionheart manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zgola wants a takedown but no success here.
Zgola wants a takedown.
Lionheart wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zgola has him pressed against the cage.
Lionheart is trying to push Zgola away but Zgola has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zgola is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lionheart wants to break the clinch but can't.

Lionheart successfully pulls guard.
Lionheart seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zgola prevents Lionheart from getting back to his feet.
Lionheart keeping moving, preventing Zgola from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lionheart being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mikolaj Zgola just wasn't active enough.
Lionheart misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Zgola shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lionheart is trying to defend but Zgola finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zgola is looking to take a break and control but Lionheart is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lionheart trying to control but Zgola postures up.
Lionheart looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lionheart wants to control but Zgola is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zgola slips a nice elbow through Lionheart's hands, connecting with Lionheart's forehead.
Zgola controlling the action here.
Lionheart trying to control but Zgola postures up.
Zgola missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zgola trying to control the action but Lionheart is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lionheart misses with a hook.
Lionheart misses with an uppercut. Zgola saw that one coming.

Zgola drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zgola is in close to Lionheart's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lionheart utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lionheart is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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!
Zgola stays in close to Lionheart's body and controls the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zgola trying to control the position from guard on top but Lionheart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tope Lionheart.
I've got Lionheart winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tope Lionheart!
Tope Lionheart tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.