PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Alvarez (ranked 1570 p4p, 2669 weight class) and RInger Zinc (ranked 157 p4p, 259 weight class). Alvarez comes to the cage accompanied by Juan Luis Guerra - Soldado. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that RInger Zinc was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Alvarez
vs
Zinc

170 cm
29
150
10 - 6 - 0

165 cm
29
153
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jackson Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, RInger Zinc!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Roberts and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zinc fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alvarez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zinc.
RInger Zinc seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Alvarez misses.
Zinc is looking to clinch but Alvarez is avoiding it.
Alvarez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zinc wants to clinch.

Zinc clinches up against the cage.
A short right from Alvarez on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zinc misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zinc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alvarez has Zinc pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zinc manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zinc misses with the head strike.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Zinc lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinc working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
We've been hearing reports that Alvarez has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alvarez looking for a takedown.
Alvarez tries to score a body lock takedown but Zinc shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Zinc fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zinc lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Alvarez backwards.
Zinc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alvarez can't get the takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Zinc fails to land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zinc.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zinc throws a head punch that misses.
Zinc has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Alvarez seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Zinc can turn it around.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinc throws a punch but it's blocked by Alvarez.
Zinc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Zinc misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zinc after a bit of a struggle.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Alvarez is looking to take this one to the mat.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zinc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zinc lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Alvarez looking for a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Alvarez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zinc gets underhooks to prevent Alvarez's takedown attempt.
Alvarez blocks an uppercut.
Zinc throws a head punch that misses.
Zinc lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
Alvarez takes a shot to the head.
Zinc has a couple of punches blocked by Alvarez.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Zinc working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zinc prevents the takedown attempt.
Alvarez wants a takedown but no success here.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Alvarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zinc prevents it.
Zinc throws a head punch that misses.
Zinc has a couple of punches blocked by Alvarez.

Alvarez has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Zinc clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zinc trying to control the hands but Alvarez won't let him.
Alvarez lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Alvarez is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Zinc avoids the strikes from Alvarez.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

RInger Zinc dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zinc uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alvarez.
Alvarez misses with a straight left.
Alvarez sets himself, and Zinc steps forward looking for the clinch! Alvarez avoids it this time.
Zinc tries to close the distance and clinch but Alvarez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Zinc darts in and clinches Alvarez up against the cage.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zinc.
Zinc throws a punch but it's blocked by Alvarez.
Zinc lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zinc tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alvarez wants to take the fight to the mat but Zinc manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez blocks an uppercut.
Zinc working aggressively here.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
RInger Zinc seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zinc working aggressively here.
Zinc working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinc swings wildly with an uppercut but Alvarez uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zinc.
Zinc fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zinc throws a head punch that misses.
Zinc is pressed up against the cage. Alvarez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zinc down to the mat. Zinc avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Alvarez is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zinc can't fight it off and eventually Alvarez manages to take the fight to the floor. Zinc looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zinc has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zinc is on top in guard.

Zinc trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinc throwing strikes but missing.
Zinc is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zinc trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Zinc chips away with some ground and pound.
Zinc looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zinc.
Zinc is looking to pass into half guard but Alvarez pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Alvarez is in guard.

Alvarez engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Alvarez won't allow Zinc to get back to his feet.
Alvarez controls from within his opponent's guard.
Alvarez looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zinc tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zinc is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alvarez is controlling him.
Alvarez stays in close to Zinc's body and controls the position.
Zinc doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Alvarez throws a jab but it's blocked by Zinc.
Jackson Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alvarez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zinc doesn't manage to clinch there - Alvarez circles away.
A quick step to the side and Alvarez tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Zinc has closed the distance and engaged Alvarez in a clinch.
Alvarez tries for a takedown but Zinc manages to get underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

RInger Zinc showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zinc wants to clinch but Alvarez slips to the side
letting Alvarez counter with a right hand.

Zinc clinches.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zinc creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
Zinc throws a head punch that misses.
Alvarez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head punch on the inside from Zinc fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez blocks an uppercut.
Zinc fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zinc lands a right hand.
Zinc lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zinc swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zinc misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zinc working aggressively here.
Zinc misses with a punch on the inside.
Zinc misses with some punches.
Alvarez blocks an uppercut.
Zinc prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alvarez.
Alvarez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Alvarez is trying to trip Zinc. He has hold of a leg but Zinc is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Alvarez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Zinc keeps moving.
Alvarez stays in close to Zinc's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Zinc keeps moving.
Alvarez sitting in guard here, content to control.
Jackson Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zinc throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zinc gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alvarez goes for a takedown attempt but Zinc pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez keeps the fight on the outside.
Zinc tries to clinch but Alvarez moves out of range.
Zinc fails in his attempt to clinch.
A big left from Alvarez misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zinc makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zinc fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alvarez blocking some punches.
Alvarez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zinc gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zinc misses with the head strike.
Alvarez blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Alvarez has clasped his hands together around Zinc's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zinc is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Alvarez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zinc can do anything to dispel that myth.
Alvarez grinds an elbow into Zinc's temple.
Zinc is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Alvarez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Zinc is trying to control Alvarez's posture but Alvarez avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
RInger Zinc comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zinc winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... RInger Zinc!
RInger Zinc seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.