PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Zampidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rulon Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rulon Gardner is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Zampidis
vs
Gardner

175 cm
22
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

195 cm
22
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Zampidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rulon Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zampidis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gardner as he avoids it easily.
Gardner tries for a takedown but Zampidis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zampidis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gardner counters with a single leg into guard. Zampidis didn't expect that.
Zampidis really is a fat lump.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gardner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Zampidis looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gardner is working Zampidis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a solid left hand.

It looks like Mike Zampidis has been cut.
Gardner is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Zampidis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gardner keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zampidis's head.
Zampidis has momentary wrist control but Gardner slips an elbow through the middle.
Gardner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gardner working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zampidis's head.

Mike Zampidis's cut is getting worse.
Gardner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gardner stands up over Zampidis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.
Zampidis keeping full guard, as Gardner tries to pass.
Zampidis might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gardner works over Zampidis with some ground and pound from guard.
Gardner looks gassed!
Zampidis throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Gardner postures up and lands a big shot to Zampidis's brow.
Zampidis trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Gardner with a nice head shot there.
Gardner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zampidis throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Zampidis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gardner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gardner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a solid left hand.
Gardner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zampidis will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Zampidis strikes from his own guard.
Gardner has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner working some strikes from top position.

Zampidis has his foot on Gardner's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gardner works his way back into a safe position though.
Gardner scoring with some ground and pound.
Zampidis knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gardner on the ground.
Gardner is in close to Zampidis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gardner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zampidis is in trouble now - Gardner has advanced to mount!
Gardner putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Gardner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zampidis hang on?
Gardner lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Zampidis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gardner scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Zampidis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gardner landing strikes from the mount.
Gardner lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner landing shots from mount.
Gardner avoids the attempt from Zampidis to control.
Gardner landing shots from mount.
Gardner is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zampidis can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Zampidis tries to lock up and control but Gardner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gardner is landing with some decent strikes but Zampidis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gardner unloading with bombs!
Gardner scoring with strikes but Zampidis is staying in there.
Gardner blocks Zampidis's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Zampidis takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Zampidis tries to hold on but Gardner postures up.
Zampidis takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Gardner landing strikes from the mount.
Gardner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zampidis hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zampidis is trying desperately to improve position.
Gardner scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gardner unloading with bombs!
Gardner working Zampidis over with strikes here.
Zampidis throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Zampidis swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Zampidis swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zampidis throwing hammer fists to the chest of Gardner. What's that going to do exactly?
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gardner cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Zampidis is in a horrible position here. Gardner smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The referee warns Zampidis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gardner has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Zampidis's face.
Gardner unloading with bombs!
Zampidis is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gardner breaks from Zampidis's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Zampidis wants to hold on but Gardner pushes him away.
Gardner landing strikes from the mount.
Gardner landing shots from mount.
Zampidis is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gardner is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zampidis can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Zampidis tries to lock up and control but Gardner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gardner landing punches.
Gardner lands a big elbow.
Gardner landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zampidis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gardner blocks Zampidis's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Gardner in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gardner scoring with strikes but Zampidis is staying in there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gardner unloading with bombs!
Zampidis tries to lock up and control but Gardner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gardner working the ground and pound effectively.
Zampidis really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gardner looking to finish Zampidis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Zampidis!
Gardner lands a big elbow.
Gardner breaks from Zampidis's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gardner cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gardner dominating with strikes here.
Zampidis tries to reverse the position but Gardner maintains control.
Zampidis tries to hold on but Gardner pushes him away.
Zampidis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zampidis tries to get out of the position.
Gardner punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gardner pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gardner lands a big elbow.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gardner looking to finish Zampidis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Zampidis!
Gardner with good strikes from the mount here!
Gardner working the ground and pound effectively.
Gardner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zampidis hang on?
Gardner is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Zampidis is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gardner landing strikes from the mount.
Zampidis can't escape the position.
Gardner landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gardner cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Gardner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Zampidis hang on?
Gardner prevents Zampidis from getting the reversal.
Gardner fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gardner working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Zampidis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zampidis throwing hammer fists to the chest of Gardner. What's that going to do exactly?
Gardner unloading with bombs!
Zampidis is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gardner landing shots from mount.
Gardner lands a nice shot to the head.
Gardner looking to finish Zampidis with some ground and pound. This is bad for Zampidis!
Gardner punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zampidis is working to get back to half guard.
Gardner landing shots from mount.
Gardner is landing with some decent strikes but Zampidis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Zampidis tries to hold on but Gardner pushes him away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gardner lands a big shot there that rocks Zampidis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zampidis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gardner with shots to the head and body - Zampidis looks very uncomfortable down there.
Zampidis sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gardner lands with a punch from half guard.
Gardner looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zampidis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zampidis misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Gardner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gardner is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gardner works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gardner scores with a couple of good head shots there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Zampidis's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zampidis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gardner counters with a single leg into guard. Zampidis didn't expect that.
Zampidis looking to control.
Gardner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gardner forces his way into half guard.
Gardner lands strikes from half guard.
Zampidis punching from the bottom.
Zampidis on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gardner working Zampidis over with strikes.
Gardner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Zampidis actively working from the bottom here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gardner lands a nice short elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gardner lands a nice short elbow.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Zampidis drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gardner looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardner, not yet.
Gardner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zampidis manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zampidis striking off his back.
Gardner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gardner lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gardner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Zampidis looking for a guillotine here but Gardner defends easily.
Rulon Gardner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zampidis working a defensive guard here.
Gardner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zampidis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gardner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gardner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zampidis is fending him off so far but Gardner persists. Nope, Zampidis circles away and we're back to standing.
Zampidis misses with a takedown attempt

so Gardner counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner is in close to Zampidis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gardner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gardner postures up and lands a big shot to Zampidis's brow.
Gardner with a nice head shot there.
Gardner tries to free his leg and advance position but Zampidis is retaining full guard.

Zampidis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gardner landing with the ground and pound.
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a solid left hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gardner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mike Zampidis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rulon Gardner.

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

Zampidis tries for a kimura but Gardner is defending well.
Gardner throws an elbow that doesn't really do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zampidis cracks Gardner with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Zampidis trying to control the action but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Gardner manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zampidis's best efforts.
Gardner regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gardner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zampidis is one step ahead there.
Gardner scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Zampidis preventing the sweep.
Zampidis working some strikes from top position.
Zampidis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gardner shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zampidis's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zampidis's head.
Gardner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gardner scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gardner stands up over Zampidis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a solid left hand.

Zampidis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gardner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gardner wants to pass the guard but Zampidis is keeping the position.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gardner misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zampidis with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gardner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gardner.

Zampidis has his foot on Gardner's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gardner works his way back into a safe position though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gardner postures up and lands a big shot to Zampidis's brow.
Gardner is looking to work some ground and pound but Zampidis has wrist control.
Zampidis is trying to keep Gardner in close.
Gardner with a nice head shot there.
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a solid left hand.
Gardner lands a couple of digs.

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

Gardner darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gardner trying to pass the guard but Zampidis defending well.
Gardner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zampidis wants to control but Gardner is keeping busy.
Gardner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gardner lands a nice short elbow.
Zampidis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gardner scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gardner winds up and cracks Zampidis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gardner thows a huge punch but Zampidis dodges it nicely.

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

and Gardner counters with a takedown into side control.
Gardner cracks Zampidis with a big right hand but Zampidis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Zampidis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gardner tries to advance to mount but Zampidis denies him.
Gardner lands an elbow.
Gardner lands a decent elbow from side control.
Gardner throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Gardner tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Gardner lands some shots froms side control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zampidis tries for a takedown but Gardner circles away easily

so Gardner counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gardner throwing strikes but missing.
Gardner with a nice head shot there.
Gardner chips away with some ground and pound.
Gardner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zampidis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zampidis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gardner connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zampidis misses with a takedown

and Gardner counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zampidis's guard now.
Zampidis throws a couple of heel strikes.
Gardner stands up over Zampidis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner postures up.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gardner stands up over Zampidis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner lands a couple of digs.
Gardner landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gardner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gardner postures up and lands a big shot to Zampidis's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zampidis with a poor takedown

and Gardner counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zampidis's guard now.
Gardner lands a couple of elbows.
Gardner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gardner thows a big elbow that misses.
Gardner is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gardner landing some decent shots from guard.

Zampidis is looking for a triangle but Gardner pushes his legs off easily.
Gardner lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gardner is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zampidis has his takedown stuffed

and Gardner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gardner.
Gardner passes Zampidis's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zampidis is trying to control but can't.
Zampidis landing small, sideways elbows.
Gardner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gardner prevents Zampidis from improving his position.
Zampidis tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Zampidis trying to control here.
Gardner moves nicely into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gardner is working Zampidis over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mike Zampidis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rulon Gardner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gardner scoring with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rulon Gardner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gardner has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Rulon Gardner!

Rulon Gardner wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
57%

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