PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zain Retherford (ranked 8286 p4p, 542 weight class) and Josh Cook (ranked 1493 p4p, 158 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Retherford
vs
Cook

175 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
20
154 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Fanatic Inc.

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 Las Vegas, Zain Retherford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Cook!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Retherford scores with a takedown into Cook's guard.

Cook looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Cook is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Retherford is aware though and is defending well.
Retherford scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Cook looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Cook is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Retherford lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Retherford throwing strikes but missing.
Retherford works over Cook with some ground and pound from guard.
Cook really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Retherford. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Retherford wants to control from the top but Cook keeps moving.
Retherford keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cook's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cook can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cook looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Retherford passes into half guard.

Cook looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Retherford is nestled in close to Cook, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Retherford has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Retherford looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cook with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Retherford scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cook wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cook looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Retherford lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cook wants to improve his position but Retherford is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.

Cook looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cook is looking for a sweep. Retherford is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Retherford working over Cook with some ground and pound. Cook looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Cook looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Retherford connects with a nice short shot to Cook's temple.
Cook has hold of Retherford's hands but Retherford slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retherford scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Retherford connects with a nice short shot to Cook's temple.
Cook taking some punishment here, with Retherford in his half guard.
Retherford lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Retherford is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cook taking some punishment here, with Retherford in his half guard.
Retherford landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Retherford prevents Cook from improving his position.
Retherford wants to control but Cook is keeping him busy.
Retherford working the head and body with strikes.
Cook is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cook is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retherford pulls his head out easily.
Retherford drops an elbow to the side of Cook's head.
Retherford lands with a punch from half guard.
Retherford scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Retherford takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Retherford trying to control from half guard but Cook is working away.
Retherford moves nicely into side control.
Cook is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Retherford off and has taken his back!
You can see the frustration on Retherford's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cook wants to control but Retherford is keeping busy.

Cook is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Retherford knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Retherford for a finish.
Cook is trying to stick to Retherford's back but Retherford is turning into Cook. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Cook's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Retherford.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zain Retherford dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Retherford swings for the body but Cook moves out of range.
Cook lands a right hook to the body.
Retherford lands a body shot.
Retherford lands a lovely overhand right.
Retherford swings for the body but Cook moves out of range.
Retherford misses with a straight left.
Retherford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cook moves away.
A big left from Retherford misses.
Cook throws out a loose jab but Retherford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Retherford throws a body shot but no joy.
Cook cracks Retherford with an open hand slap.

Retherford shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Retherford showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cook looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Retherford is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.

Cook looking for submissions off his back.
Cook wants to improve his position but Retherford is controlling well.

Cook looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ground and pound from Retherford.
Retherford is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Retherford scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cook looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Retherford scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Zain Retherford overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cook wants to control but Retherford is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Cook looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cook on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Cook is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retherford pulls his head out easily.
Retherford looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cook with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Retherford there.
Retherford is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retherford is looking to take a break and control but Cook is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Retherford slips a nice elbow through Cook's hands, connecting with Cook's forehead.
Retherford trying to control the action but Cook is working from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Retherford lands a nice short elbow.
Cook is trying to control but can't.

Cook is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retherford pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Retherford lands a nice short elbow.
Retherford looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Cook with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Retherford seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Retherford drops an elbow to the side of Cook's head.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Retherford.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Retherford connects with a nice short shot to Cook's temple.
Retherford slips a nice elbow through Cook's hands, connecting with Cook's forehead.
Retherford takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nice strikes from Retherford there.

Cook is rocked!
Cook trying to control from the bottom.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ground and pound from Retherford.
Cook is still in real trouble! Can Retherford finish him?
Cook is staying active underneath Retherford, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cook seems to have recovered his senses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zain Retherford dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Retherford misses with a straight right.
A jab lands there for Cook.
Cook keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Retherford dives in and scores a takedown into Cook's guard.

Cook is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Retherford working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Retherford scoring with punches to the head and body.
Retherford is working Cook over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Retherford wants to control from the top but Cook keeps moving.
Retherford makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Retherford is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Cook working for a triangle but Retherford defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cook had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Retherford defends it easily.

Cook looking for a guillotine here but Retherford defends easily.
Cook keeping moving, preventing Retherford from controlling successfully.
Retherford keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cook's head.

Cook looking for a guillotine here but Retherford defends easily.
Josh Cook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Retherford scoring with some ground and pound.

Cook has an active guard here but Retherford has managed to pass into half guard.
Cook is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Retherford's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Retherford's back!
Retherford tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Retherford regains half guard.
Cook is thwarting Retherford's attempts to control the position.

Cook is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retherford is controlling Cook's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Cook is looking to advance position but Retherford won't allow it.
Retherford slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Retherford looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Retherford is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Retherford is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cook can do to turn this around?
Cook taking some punishment here, with Retherford in his half guard.
Retherford working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.

Cook is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retherford pulls his head out easily.
Cook takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Retherford working the head and body with strikes.

Cook actively working from the bottom here.
Retherford lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Retherford working the head and body with strikes.
Zain Retherford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Still in half guard, Retherford seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cook is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Retherford's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Retherford's back!
Cook is trying to stick to Retherford's back but Retherford is turning into Cook. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Cook's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Retherford.
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!
Retherford controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zain Retherford showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Retherford has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zain Retherford!
A less than humble Zain Retherford misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.