PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between zill zakman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neil Vanderbilt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

zakman
vs
Vanderbilt

184 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, zill zakman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Neil Vanderbilt!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
zakman tries for a takedown but Vanderbilt sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
zakman fails to land the takedown.
Vanderbilt throws a sloppy head kick and zakman moves out of range easily.

Vanderbilt gets a takedown into half guard.

Vanderbilt is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. zakman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vanderbilt.
zakman is looking for a sweep. Vanderbilt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
zakman landing small, sideways elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
zakman tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
zakman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Vanderbilt prevents zakman from improving his position.
zakman punching from the bottom.
zakman is looking for a sweep. Vanderbilt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vanderbilt looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vanderbilt doesn't manage to clinch there - zakman circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vanderbilt gets underhooks to prevent zakman's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for zill zakman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two 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.
Vanderbilt letting zakman take a breather here.
Vanderbilt will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning zakman up against the cage.
Vanderbilt missing with knees to the body.
zakman tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
zakman stops a takedown attempt from Vanderbilt.
zakman pushes Vanderbilt back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
zakman lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Vanderbilt pulls guard successfully.
Vanderbilt keeping full guard, as zakman tries to pass.
zakman wanted to stand there but Vanderbilt had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanderbilt trying to control the position.
zakman passes into half guard.

zakman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
zakman is breathing heavily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
zakman looks to land a strike but Vanderbilt avoids it nicely and regains full 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.
zakman throws a strike but Vanderbilt rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
zakman is looking to sweep but instead, Vanderbilt has passed into half guard.
Vanderbilt wants to control but zakman is keeping him busy.

Vanderbilt is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
zakman works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vanderbilt throws a head kick that misses.
zakman punishes Vanderbilt's body with a nice straight punch.
Vanderbilt tries to clinch there but zakman circles away.
zakman throws a series of punches but Vanderbilt moves out of range.
zakman throws a right and a left that Vanderbilt avoids nicely.

Vanderbilt rushes zakman and presses him up against the cage.
zakman wants to break free but Vanderbilt has control.
Vanderbilt looking to slow down the pace here.
zakman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
zakman wants to stall.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
zakman has had enough of the clinch but Vanderbilt keeps him there for the moment.
zakman has had enough of the clinch but Vanderbilt keeps him there for the moment.
zakman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Vanderbilt pulls guard effortlessly.
zakman trying to control but Vanderbilt is working from the bottom.
zakman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vanderbilt is controlling zakman's posture.
Vanderbilt is trying to control the position but zakman postures up.
zakman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Vanderbilt managing to control the position.

That's two 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.
zakman cracks Vanderbilt with a solid left hand.
zakman trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Vanderbilt manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Vanderbilt throws a big right hand that misses.

zakman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vanderbilt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
zakman wants to sweep here but Vanderbilt controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
zakman wants to improve his position but instead Vanderbilt has moved into half guard.
Vanderbilt takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Vanderbilt prevents zakman from improving his position.
zakman is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vanderbilt moves out of range as zakman throws a body kick.
Vanderbilt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
zakman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

zakman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vanderbilt is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
zakman trying to control from half guard but Vanderbilt is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
zakman throws a strike but Vanderbilt avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

zill zakman dominated that second round.
That's time! zakman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vanderbilt pushes zakman up against the cage in a clinch.

zakman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vanderbilt throws a body kick that misses.
zakman swinging wilding here.
zakman with a body punch. A glancing blow.
zakman gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Vanderbilt counters with a shoot takedown. zakman fights it but they end up in guard.
Vanderbilt wants to control from the top but zakman keeps moving.
Vanderbilt won't allow zakman to sweep him here.
zakman is looking to sweep but instead, Vanderbilt has passed into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanderbilt controlling the pace.
zakman wants to get back to his feet.
Vanderbilt wants to take a breather but zakman is having none of it.
Still in half guard, Vanderbilt seems content to control.
zakman is trying to get back to full guard.
Vanderbilt is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two 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.
zakman gets full guard.
Vanderbilt distracts zakman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
zakman working a defensive guard but Vanderbilt passes into half guard.
zakman wants to improve his position but Vanderbilt is controlling well.
Vanderbilt wants to lay and pray for a moment but zakman keeps working.
Vanderbilt controlling the action here.

Vanderbilt seems to be working for a kimura but zakman defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

zakman looking for submissions off his back.
Vanderbilt seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
zakman is looking for a sweep. Vanderbilt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

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.
zakman missing with punches from the bottom.

Vanderbilt is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
zakman wants to get back to his feet.
zakman wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vanderbilt escapes and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neil Vanderbilt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vanderbilt 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neil Vanderbilt!