PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rap Tori (ranked 1829 p4p, 189 weight class) and Gabriel Zackrisson (ranked 2081 p4p, 212 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tori
vs
Zackrisson

177 cm
29
151 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

175 cm
36
159 lbs
25 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rap Tori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Gabriel Zackrisson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Tori. Zackrisson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zackrisson is looking to slow Tori down with leg kicks.
Tori takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Zackrisson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tori. Tori obviously looking to wear him down.
Tori takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A low kick from Tori is predictable there
and Zackrisson counters with a nice uppercut.
That kick from Zackrisson tenderised Tori's leg. Tori is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tori shoots for a takedown but Zackrisson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zackrisson lands with a good body shot.

Tori fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zackrisson, pushing him back against the cage.
Zackrisson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tori tries a body shot but Zackrisson blocks it.
Tori lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zackrisson backwards.
Tori wants a takedown.
Tori misses with the head strike.
Tori tries to work over Zackrisson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zackrisson cracks Tori with a nice body shot.
Zackrisson lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tori misses with a punch on the inside.
Tori fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tori struggles to land a body shot inside as Zackrisson controls his hands.
Zackrisson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tori tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zackrisson's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Tori scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tori.

Zackrisson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tori misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tori looks to throw the jab but Zackrisson is out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Tori.
Tori walks into a stiff left hand from Zackrisson.
Tori throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tori looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tori misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zackrisson throws a leg kick but Tori moved away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tori with a nice cross.
Tori throws a leg kick but Zackrisson sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tori takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rap Tori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tori throws the kick towards the body but Zackrisson avoids it.
Zackrisson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tori pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zackrisson is out of range and Tori settles back down.
Tori looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zackrisson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zackrisson throws a body punch but Tori moves out of range.
Zackrisson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tori throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Zackrisson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tori really felt that one!
A punch combination from Zackrisson misses.
Gabriel Zackrisson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tori drives through with a takedown into Zackrisson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Zackrisson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tori.
Tori throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zackrisson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zackrisson keeping full guard, as Tori tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tori chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zackrisson trying to keep a closed guard but Tori is proving a slippery customer.
Tori postures up in Zackrisson's guard and throws a big left but Zackrisson blocks it.
Tori chips away with some ground and pound.
Zackrisson keeping moving, preventing Tori from controlling successfully.
Tori with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tori landing some decent shots from guard.
Tori postures up and lands a big shot to Zackrisson's brow.
Zackrisson wants to get back to his feet but Tori is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tori is working Zackrisson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zackrisson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zackrisson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tori working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zackrisson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've been hearing that Tori has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Zackrisson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tori trying to control the position from guard on top but Zackrisson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tori working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tori with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zackrisson looking for a sweep. Not yet Zackrisson, not yet.
Tori postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tori throwing strikes but missing.
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 Rap Tori will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zackrisson misses with a hook.
Tori changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Decent striking displayed by Tori there.
Tori throws a shot from downtown. Zackrisson moves away and avoids it.
Zackrisson takes one on the button.
Zackrisson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tori lands a nice shot that snaps Zackrisson's head back.
Tori throws a nice looking combination but Zackrisson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zackrisson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tori tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zackrisson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tori lands a jab to the nose.
Tori thuds his right hand into Zackrisson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zackrisson lands with an uppercut that bounces Tori off the cage and back into range.
Zackrisson connects with a right hand. Tori shakes it off.
Zackrisson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zackrisson jabs Tori right on the nose. Tori blinks but takes it well.
Tori tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zackrisson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tori somewhat.
Gabriel Zackrisson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zackrisson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tori misses the shot to the body.
Zackrisson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zackrisson is looking to slow Tori down with leg kicks.
Zackrisson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tori lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zackrisson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A left lands for Zackrisson.
Tori fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zackrisson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tori feints and then cracks Zackrisson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zackrisson down.
Zackrisson is looking to score with low kicks.
Tori is looking to counter punch.
Zackrisson throws the left hand but Tori avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zackrisson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tori with a poor takedown
and Zackrisson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tori's knee momentarily.
Tori shoots for a takedown but Zackrisson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rap Tori. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tori tests Zackrisson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zackrisson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tori. Zackrisson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tori misses with a double jab
and Zackrisson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tori's knee momentarily.
Tori will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zackrisson misses with a hook to the body
and Tori counters with a stiff right hand.
That kick from Zackrisson tenderised Tori's leg. Tori is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tori just misses with a punch to the body.
Tori looks to land a left hand but Zackrisson moved out of range nicely.
Zackrisson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Tori moves into the clinch.
Zackrisson blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tori jumps into guard, dragging Zackrisson to the mat.
Tori wants to sweep but no luck.
Tori trying to control the position.

Zackrisson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Tori closes the distance looking to clinch
and Zackrisson counters with a low kick, right behind Tori 's knee.
Zackrisson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tori was well out of range. Poor timing from Zackrisson.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zackrisson.
Zackrisson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zackrisson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tori misses with a right hand
and Zackrisson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tori sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tori lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zackrisson throws an overhand right that lands on Tori's shoulder, as Tori tries to avoid the shot.
Tori changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tori tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zackrisson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zackrisson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tori defending well as Zackrisson loads up on a big left hand.
Zackrisson digs a good body shot into Tori's ribs.
Zackrisson cracks Tori with an open hand slap.
Tori slips under a jab.
Zackrisson tries to land a front kick but Tori steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zackrisson throws a leg kick but Tori sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A good leg kick by Tori.
Zackrisson connects with a right hand. Tori shakes it off.
Tori throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zackrisson's waist but Zackrisson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tori off to one side.
Tori connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tori misses with a hook. Zackrisson ducked under it nicely.
Zackrisson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gabriel Zackrisson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Tori's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zackrisson throws a hook but Tori avoids it easily.
Good exchange - Tori coming out on top.
Tori throws a good cross that connects.
Zackrisson throws a leg kick but Tori moved away.
Tori throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tori connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zackrisson misses with a right hand
and Tori counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zackrisson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tori avoids the body shot from Zackrisson.
Tori takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zackrisson throws a front kick aimed at Tori's knee but Tori avoids it well.
Zackrisson throws a wild body kick that Tori sees coming a mile off.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tori.
Tori slips under a jab from Zackrisson.
Tori tries to score with a low kick but Zackrisson moves his leg out of the way.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zackrisson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zackrisson swings for the body but Tori moves out of range.
Zackrisson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tori lands a nice shot that snaps Zackrisson's head back.
Zackrisson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Zackrisson slips a straight right by Tori.
Zackrisson throws a jab when Tori was well out of range.
Tori rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zackrisson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zackrisson tries to move into range but Tori moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Tori.
Zackrisson tests Tori's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zackrisson looks to land a right hand but Tori moved out of range.
Zackrisson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tori.
Zackrisson scores with a nice strike.
Zackrisson misses with an uppercut.
Zackrisson avoids the body shot from Tori.
Zackrisson staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Tori.
Zackrisson throws a right hand that Tori ducks under and follows up with a left that Tori also avoids with ease.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tori.
Tori lunges at Zackrisson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zackrisson's hand.
Zackrisson works Tori's body with a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Tori.
Zackrisson throws a head kick that misses

and Tori counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tori makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tori postures up in Zackrisson's guard and throws a big left but Zackrisson blocks it.
Rap Tori overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zackrisson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tori actively working from the bottom here.
Tori is looking for a sweep. Zackrisson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tori gets back to full guard.
Tori is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tori controls Zackrisson momentarily but Zackrisson frees himself.
Tori has a closed guard, preventing Zackrisson from standing up.
Zackrisson passes into half guard.
Zackrisson prevents Tori from improving his 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.
Zackrisson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tori is pressing down on Zackrisson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tori is on top in guard.

Zackrisson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tori is one step ahead there.
Tori pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zackrisson is keeping the position for now.
Tori throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rap Tori.
I think Tori has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rap Tori!
Rap Tori decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.