PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ismael Holt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AmeKyn ZapaK (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). AmeKyn ZapaK has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ismael Holt's chin.

Holt
vs
ZapaK

188 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ismael Holt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, AmeKyn ZapaK!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

ZapaK drives through and clinches with Holt against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

ZapaK pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

ZapaK gets a clinch.
ZapaK has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holt avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holt is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

ZapaK manages to pull guard.
Holt lands a couple of elbows.
Holt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Holt won't allow ZapaK to sweep him here.
Holt has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Holt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
ZapaK preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
ZapaK wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Holt drops back looking for a leg! ZapaK is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and ZapaK manages to kick Holt off! Holt jumps back into ZapaK's guard.
ZapaK utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
ZapaK avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Holt throwing strikes but missing.

ZapaK is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holt defends well.
ZapaK preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Holt preventing the sweep.

ZapaK had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Holt defends it easily.
ZapaK working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Holt.
ZapaK has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holt scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

ZapaK escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
ZapaK utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
ZapaK wants to sweep but no luck.
Holt postures up in ZapaK's guard and throws a big left but ZapaK blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of ZapaK's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
ZapaK wants to stand but Holt is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt is looking to work some ground and pound but ZapaK has wrist control.
Holt knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for ZapaK on the ground.
Holt won't allow ZapaK to sweep him here.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holt with a flurry of punches that miss.
Holt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Holt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
ZapaK looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Holt postures up in ZapaK's guard and throws a big left but ZapaK blocks it.
Holt throwing strikes but missing.
ZapaK is looking to stand up but Holt isn't so interested in that idea.
ZapaK not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Holt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

ZapaK is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holt defends well.
ZapaK preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Holt working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of ZapaK's head.
Holt in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

ZapaK looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
ZapaK looks winded!
Holt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

ZapaK manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Holt tries to stall but ZapaK uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

ZapaK breaks the clinch.

ZapaK instigates a clinch.

ZapaK breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
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 Ismael Holt will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

ZapaK has closed the distance and engaged Holt in a clinch.

ZapaK drags the fight down to the ground.
Holt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

ZapaK throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
ZapaK controlling Holt's posture.

ZapaK has his foot on Holt's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Holt works his way back into a safe position though.
Holt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holt postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Holt throws an elbow that misses. ZapaK uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Holt's guard. Nice move by ZapaK!
ZapaK trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ZapaK is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
ZapaK wants to control from the top but Holt keeps moving.
ZapaK trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

ZapaK stands and steps away. Holt gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
ZapaK throws a head kick but Holt moves out of range.
ZapaK is breathing heavily.

ZapaK moves into the clinch successfully.
Holt is working for takedown but ZapaK is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holt tries to score a body lock takedown but ZapaK shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
ZapaK can't get the takedown.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
ZapaK prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ismael Holt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ZapaK pressing his opponent against the cage.

ZapaK breaks from the clinch.

ZapaK takes the fight into the clinch.
Holt has ZapaK pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. ZapaK manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
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!
ZapaK is trying to drag Holt to the mat but Holt just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Holt has ZapaK pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. ZapaK manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
ZapaK gets underhooks to prevent Holt's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt changes levels and goes for a takedown here. ZapaK fights it off and pushes away nicely.
ZapaK shoots in but no luck this time.
ZapaK throws a series of punches but Holt moves out of range.
ZapaK scores with a jab to the body.

ZapaK darts in and clinches Holt up against the cage.
Holt has had enough of the clinch but ZapaK keeps him there for the moment.

ZapaK escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
ZapaK shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holt as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

ZapaK has closed the distance and engaged Holt in a clinch.
Holt is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Holt looks to throw an elbow but misses.

ZapaK escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

ZapaK moves into range and clinches up with Holt.
ZapaK is pushing Holt up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holt wants a takedown but no success here.

ZapaK breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AmeKyn ZapaK showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

ZapaK shoots in for a takedown but Holt shows good takedown defense.
ZapaK tries for a takedown but Holt circles away easily

and Holt counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Holt.
ZapaK blocking some punches.
ZapaK stops a takedown attempt from Holt.
ZapaK landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Holt can't get the takedown.
Holt is looking for a takedown up against the cage. ZapaK gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ismael Holt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holt prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ZapaK prevents the takedown attempt.
Holt goes for a takedown in the clinch but ZapaK prevents it.
The referee calls for ZapaK to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt is trying to drag ZapaK to the mat but ZapaK just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Holt tries a body shot but ZapaK blocks it.
ZapaK tries for a takedown but Holt manages to get underhooks.
Holt jumps guard but ZapaK stands there with Holt around his waist. Holt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

ZapaK breaks the clinch.

ZapaK clinches up with Holt and pushes him back against the cage.
Holt tries to pull guard but ZapaK holds him up against the cage and eventually Holt drops back down to his feet.
Holt is looking for a takedown.

ZapaK escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ZapaK fails with the takedown.
ZapaK's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and ZapaK duly obliges.
AmeKyn ZapaK seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Holt. No joy for ZapaK on that attempt.
ZapaK shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holt defends it nicely.
ZapaK tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holt swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for ZapaK with that takedown attempt.
Holt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? ZapaK is fending him off so far but Holt persists. Nope, ZapaK circles away and we're back to standing.
ZapaK shoots in looking for a takedown but Holt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing ZapaK's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
ZapaK displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Holt.
ZapaK shoots in looking for a takedown but Holt manages to keep the fight standing, pushing ZapaK's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Holt closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ZapaK tries to improve position but can't.
Holt lands some shots froms side control.
Holt working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Holt trying to control the position but ZapaK is working away.
ZapaK is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Check out the look on Holt's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holt sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but ZapaK is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
ZapaK tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ismael Holt.
I think Holt has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... AmeKyn ZapaK!