PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Edward Woodward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Zajac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Zajac's choice of entrance music: Numero 1. Edward Woodward has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Woodward
vs
Zajac

170 cm
21
148 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edward Woodward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michal Zajac!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Woodward decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zajac is looking for a sweep. Woodward is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Woodward wants to take a breather but Zajac is having none of it.
Woodward passes to full mount!
Zajac can't escape the position.
Zajac is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Woodward trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Zajac is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Woodward goes for an armbar but Zajac turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Zajac.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woodward looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zajac is one step ahead there.
Zajac wanted to stand there but Woodward had control of the position.

Zajac drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Woodward dives on top into guard.
Zajac keeping full guard, as Woodward tries to pass.
Woodward trying to control but Zajac is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zajac wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Woodward is now in half guard.
Woodward stalling.
Woodward is breathing heavily.
Woodward trying to mount his opponent but Zajac defends it.
Woodward uses his free foot to push down on Zajac's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Zajac.
Zajac is desperately trying to improve his position but Woodward has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodward avoids the attempt from Zajac to control.
Zajac is in all sorts of trouble here.
Woodward content just to control the position here.
Woodward prevents Zajac from getting the reversal.
Zajac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Woodward. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Woodward can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zajac is looking to escape.
Zajac tries to control the position but Woodward now has his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zajac prevents Woodward from getting a body triangle.
Woodward controlling well, preventing Zajac from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zajac tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Zajac is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Woodward looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edward Woodward dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck for Woodward with that takedown attempt.

Zajac drives through and clinches with Woodward against the cage.
Zajac is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Zajac breaks from the clinch.
Woodward throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zajac's waist but Zajac gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Woodward off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Woodward closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zajac circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edward Woodward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Woodward misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zajac doesn't manage to clinch there - Woodward circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zajac gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Woodward counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zajac wants to get back to full guard.
Zajac moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zajac looking to hit a scissor sweep but Woodward is one step ahead there.

Zajac looking for a guillotine here but Woodward defends easily.

Zajac has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Woodward is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zajac.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Woodward is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zajac knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Woodward wants to control for a moment but Zajac uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Woodward tries to get to full guard but Zajac has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajac wants to free his trapped foot but Woodward is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Woodward keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Woodward trying to hold on to Zajac's head to control him but Zajac postures up.
Zajac is looking to advance position but Woodward won't allow it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zajac tries to clinch up but Woodward circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Woodward keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zajac swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Woodward shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Woodward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Woodward content to stall in guard here.
Woodward trying to control but Zajac is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zajac escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Woodward gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edward Woodward dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Woodward checks a leg kick nicely.

Woodward closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Woodward lands in his opponent's guard.
Zajac trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zajac had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Woodward is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Zajac Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Woodward's back instead.
Zajac wants to control but Woodward is keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woodward just trying to survive but Zajac is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Zajac doesn't have the hooks in and Woodward manages to turn into his guard.
Woodward wants to control from the top but Zajac keeps moving.
Zajac looking to hit a scissor sweep but Woodward is one step ahead there.
Woodward content to stall in guard here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zajac with a poor takedown

and Woodward counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zajac won't be happy with that.
Zajac is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajac is not content to let Woodward control the position.
Zajac is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Woodward off and has taken his back!
Zajac struggling to keep hold of the position.
Woodward turns into Zajac and is now in his guard.
Woodward is stalling in the full guard.
Woodward wants to pass the guard but Zajac is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woodward trying to control the position from guard on top but Zajac is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woodward looking to pass the guard.
Zajac trying to control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zajac doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Woodward counters with a single leg into guard. Zajac didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zajac keeping moving, preventing Woodward from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zajac manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Zajac working the ground and pound effectively.

Zajac working for a guillotine from mount but Woodward is in no mood to give up.
Woodward is trying desperately to improve position.
Michal Zajac has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Woodward wants to control but Zajac is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edward Woodward showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Woodward, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edward Woodward!