PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Zapata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Kabillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kabillo has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Zapata
vs
Kabillo

190 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
208 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Zapata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Kabillo!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zapata shoots in but no luck this time.
Kabillo looks winded!
A jab from Kabillo misses.
Zapata goes for a double leg but Kabillo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kabillo continues to drive forward.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kabillo but Kabillo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Zapata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zapata goes for a double leg but Kabillo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kabillo continues to drive forward.
Kabillo lands a slapping body shot.
Zapata fails with the takedown.
Kabillo changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zapata tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kabillo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zapata shoots in looking for a takedown but Kabillo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zapata's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapata fails with a takedown attempt.
Kabillo misses with a straight left.

Zapata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapata is trying to pull guard but Kabillo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zapata lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zapata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kabillo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Zapata darts in looking for a takedown but Kabillo gets double underhooks and turns Zapata into the cage.
Kabillo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Zapata shoots in and drives through. Kabillo sprawls well.
Kabillo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zapata.
Kabillo defending well as Zapata loads up on a big left hand.
Kabillo misses the jab.
Zapata fails with a takedown attempt.
Kabillo misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kabillo as he jumps to the side.
Kabillo throws an off balance right hand
and Zapata counters with an inside leg kick.
Zapata looks for a takedown but Kabillo sprawls well.
Kabillo lands a really nice looking cross but Zapata seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapata tries to close the distance and clinch but Kabillo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kabillo as he jumps to the side.
Zapata keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zapata throws a big shot that misses.
Kabillo leaves Zapata with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabillo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kabillo misses with a hook. Zapata ducked under it nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zapata.
Kabillo throws a nice looking combination but Zapata bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zapata throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A punch combination from Zapata misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zapata.
Kabillo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zapata takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapata scores with a jab to the body.
Zapata with a jab.
Zapata wants to clinch up but Kabillo keeps it at a distance.
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!
Zapata tries to clinch up but Kabillo circles away and keeps his distance.

Zapata rushes Kabillo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zapata is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kabillo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kabillo is trying to break the clinch but Zapata is controlling him.

Zapata pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zapata is defended easily by Kabillo.
Kabillo lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Kabillo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zapata fails with a takedown attempt.
Xavier Kabillo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zapata lands a head kick. Kabillo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Zapata fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kabillo avoids it really well and circles away.
Zapata misses with a two punch combination.
And Kabillo tries to counter it with a takedown but Zapata pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Zapata slips a jab and a cross from Kabillo.
Zapata shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kabillo defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Zapata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapata looks for a takedown but Kabillo sprawls well.
Kabillo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapata shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kabillo pinned against the cage. Kabillo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zapata misses with a few strikes there.
And Kabillo tries to counter it with a takedown but Zapata pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Zapata dives in for a single leg takedown but Kabillo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zapata misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kabillo.
Zapata lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kabillo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zapata sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zapata tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kabillo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zapata somewhat.
Kabillo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zapata dives in and grabs Kabillo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kabillo pushes down on Zapata's head and hops out.
Xavier Kabillo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zapata clinches with his opponent.
Zapata keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kabillo's efforts to push away.
Zapata looking for a takedown.
Zapata is trying to pull guard but Kabillo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kabillo working hard to break the clinch.
Zapata tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kabillo just stands there and leans against the cage.

Zapata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zapata missing with a left hand there. Kabillo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Good shot there by Kabillo.
Zapata takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zapata slips under a jab from Kabillo.
Zapata tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kabillo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zapata somewhat.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabillo cracks Zapata with a right hand to the side of the head.
Xavier Kabillo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zapata fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kabillo changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zapata tries for a takedown but Kabillo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Zapata closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zapata goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kabillo prevents it.
Kabillo is looking to break free of the clinch but Zapata has double underhooks.
Zapata is trying to maintain a safe position but Kabillo gets an underhook and turns Zapata into the cage.
Kabillo is trying to break the clinch but Zapata is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapata has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kabillo after a bit of a struggle.
Kabillo wants to get back to striking at distance but Zapata won't allow it.
Zapata jumps guard but Kabillo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Zapata breaks from the clinch.
Zapata defending well as Kabillo loads up on a big left hand.
Kabillo looks to land a right hand but Zapata moved out of range.
As Kabillo backs away, Zapata returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zapata.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zapata misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice takedown defense from Kabillo. No joy for Zapata on that attempt.
Zapata plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Zapata gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Xavier Kabillo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zapata walks into a straight right hand from Kabillo.
Zapata throws a series of punches but Kabillo avoids them all with ease.
Zapata lands a head kick!
Zapata tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kabillo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zapata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kabillo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zapata sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kabillo avoids the head kick by Zapata.
Zapata wants to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapata looks to land a combination but Kabillo avoids it well.
Zapata tries to close the distance and clinch but Kabillo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zapata fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kabillo avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabillo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zapata tried to counter with a leg kick but Kabillo avoided it.
Zapata doesn't manage to clinch there - Kabillo circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kabillo is trying to break free.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zapata misses with the combination.
Zapata shoots in and drives through. Kabillo sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Zapata. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zapata forces Kabillo back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zapata jumps into guard, dragging Kabillo to the mat.
Zapata trying to control the position here.
Kabillo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kabillo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zapata. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kabillo wants to stand and escape but instead Zapata has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Zapata is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Zapata stops Kabillo from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapata sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kabillo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zapata showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kabillo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zapata passes Kabillo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four 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.
Zapata thows a huge punch but Kabillo dodges it nicely.
Zapata is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Zapata is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Zapata content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zapata thowing shots but they're missing.
John Zapata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xavier Kabillo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kabillo wants to get back to his feet but in bucking up he's left an arm hanging out! Zapata has locked onto it and has pulled off a slick armbar! Kabillo taps furiously! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Zapata!