PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zackary Schneider (ranked 6455 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Star (ranked 6435 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.

Schneider
vs
Star

188 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zackary Schneider!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Star!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Topper Green and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Star has Schneider up against the cage in a clinch.

Schneider pulls guard successfully.
Schneider utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Schneider is trying to control the position but Star postures up.

Star drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Schneider dives on top into guard.

Star looking to control.
Schneider has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Star is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Star trying to control the position.
Star is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider trying to control but Star is working from the bottom.
Star managing to control the position.
Star looking for a sweep. Not yet Star, not yet.

Star escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Schneider gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Schneider pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Star is keeping the position for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Star wants to hit a switch here but Schneider passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Star there!
Star manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Schneider is trying to control the action in half guard but Star is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Star kicks off Schneider and gets to his feet.
James Star seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schneider defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Star.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Star closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Schneider pulls guard effortlessly.
Schneider pulls Star in close to his closed guard and prevents Star from doing any damage or advancing position.
Schneider looking to control.
Schneider keeping full guard, as Star tries to pass.
Schneider is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Schneider is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schneider wants to sweep here but Star controlling him for the moment.
Star trying to control but Schneider is working from the bottom.
Schneider lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Star pulls Schneider in close to prevent any damage.
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 Zackary Schneider will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Star fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Star fails to land the takedown.
Star changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Schneider tries to avoid it but Star manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Schneider to the ground. Schneider escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zackary Schneider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Star.

Schneider tries to keep at a distance but Star has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schneider tries to land knees in the clinch but Star avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Star drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Star is trying to push Schneider away but Schneider has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Schneider gets control of Star's arms and successfully pulls guard. Schneider will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Zackary Schneider overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Star is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Schneider has Star pulled in close to control his posture.
Star looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Schneider is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Star can do to turn this around?
Schneider is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schneider stops Star from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Schneider tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Schneider seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Star is trying to maintain the position but Schneider is very close to passing his half guard.
Star is concentrating on defense, preventing Schneider from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schneider stops Star from getting back to his feet.
Schneider seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Star trying to control but Schneider postures up.
Star wants to control the action here but instead Schneider manages to pass to full mount!
Star tries to hold on but Schneider pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Star slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Star is concentrating on defense, preventing Schneider from advancing position.
Star is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Schneider's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Schneider's back!
Star is breathing heavily.
Schneider wants to escape the position.
Schneider tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Schneider tries to hold on but Star pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Schneider is trying desperately to improve position.
Schneider is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zackary Schneider dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Star dives in and grabs Schneider's left leg, looking for a takedown. Schneider pushes down on Star's head and hops out.
Star throws a leg kick that misses.

Star closes the distance and clinches.
Schneider managing to block the knees to the body from Star.
Star blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Schneider fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Star looking for a takedown.
Star has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Schneider avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zackary Schneider has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Star.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Schneider manages to break the clinch.

Star rushes Schneider and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Star tries to land a knee to the head but Schneider blocks with his arms.
Schneider stops a takedown attempt from Star.
Star takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schneider fails to pull guard.
Schneider tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Schneider tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Star just stands there and leans against the cage.

Schneider jumps guard and drags Star to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Schneider lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Star is looking to stand up but Schneider isn't so interested in that idea.
Star really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Schneider. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Schneider trying to control but Star is working from the bottom.
Star trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schneider wants to get up but he can't break Star's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Star looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Schneider wants to control from the top but Star keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Star wants to hit a switch here but Schneider passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Star there!
Star can't escape the position.
Star tries to control Schneider's body but Schneider pushes him off. Star squirms to his side and now Schneider has his back!
Star rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Star tries to roll over but Schneider keeps him under control.
Schneider sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Star defending well though.

Schneider trying to work for an americana but Star has managed to regain full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Schneider avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
James Star has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zackary Schneider is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Schneider stands up from Star's guard - Schneider perhaps looking for a knockout.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zackary Schneider showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Schneider, 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zackary Schneider!