PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Willard Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Zoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Williams kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Williams
vs
Zoff

187 cm
22
212 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Willard Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Zoff!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zoff clinches up with Williams and pushes him back against the cage.
Zoff with a knee to the head.
Zoff looking to throw knees to the head but Williams is blocking nicely.
Zoff landing knees to the head.
Williams wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Zoff manages to pull guard.

Williams drops back looking for a leg! Zoff is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zoff manages to kick Williams off! Williams jumps back into Zoff's guard.
Zoff is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zoff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Williams.
Zoff trying to control the position here.
Williams throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams being controlled here momentarily.
Williams postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoff throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zoff can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zoff 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.
Williams loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zoff is looking to clinch.
Williams throws a series of punches but Zoff avoids them all with ease.
Williams swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Williams lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zoff circles away quickly and effectively.
Williams misses with a double jab.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zoff avoids a punch combination nicely.
Williams throws a body punch but Zoff moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Williams scores with the left hand. Zoff knows he should have avoided that one.
Williams scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Willard Williams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Williams.
Williams throws a nice looking combination but Zoff bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Williams tries to land a front kick but Zoff steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zoff ducks under a wild hook from Williams.

Zoff rushes Williams and presses him up against the cage.

Zoff manages to break the clinch.
Zoff uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Williams.
Williams fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zoff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Williams tries to avoid it but Zoff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Williams to the ground. Williams escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zoff dodges the punch combination from Williams.
Williams takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Williams misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams swinging wilding here.
Williams throws a nice looking combination but Zoff bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zoff tries to close the distance and clinch up but Williams swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Williams looks to land a combination but Zoff avoids it well.
Williams misses with a kick to the body.
Zoff avoids a punch combination nicely.
Williams throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Williams misses with a wild combination.
Williams looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zoff moves away from the strike by Williams.

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.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zoff slips a straight right by Williams.

Zoff takes the fight into the clinch.
Zoff jumps guard but Williams stands there with Zoff around his waist. Zoff gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Williams wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zoff fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Willard Williams has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Zoff.
Zoff lands a body shot.
Zoff fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Zoff pulls guard effortlessly.
Zoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Williams preventing the sweep.
Williams has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zoff is proving hard to escape from.
Williams with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zoff had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Williams is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Zoff Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Williams's back instead.
Williams avoids the strikes from Zoff.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Zoff dominated that round.
That's time! Williams's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zoff is defended easily by Williams.
Williams looks to land a combination. Zoff sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Williams moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Williams misses with a double jab.
Williams misses with the combination.
Zoff needs to keep his hands up - Williams had a free shot at his head there.
Williams looks for the body kick but Zoff saw that one coming.
Williams cracks Zoff with a good jab.
Zoff moves out of range of the body kick.
Williams fails to land with a series of punches.
Williams throws a head kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams throws a series of punches but Zoff moves out of range.
Nice jab there from Williams.
The fighters circling - Williams throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Williams stuns Zoff with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Williams looks to land a combination but Zoff avoids it well.
Williams fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williams lands a jab to the head.
Williams swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Zoff holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Zoff has Williams pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Zoff pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Williams tumbling to the mat - Zoff dives into Williams's guard.
Williams striking off his back but it's not causing Zoff any problems.
Williams manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zoff manages to get himself to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zoff is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zoff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Williams postures up in Zoff's guard and throws a big left but Zoff blocks it.
Williams throws a big right hand that misses.
Zoff trying to control the position.
Williams thows a big elbow that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Williams lands a body shot.
Zoff tries to clinch but Williams is having none of it.

Zoff moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crunch! Zoff slams his shin into Williams's torso.
Some wild striking there from Williams.
Williams misses with a kick to the body

and Zoff counters by clinching up.
Williams wants to break the clinch but can't.

Zoff is trying to trip Williams. He has hold of a leg but Williams is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Zoff persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zoff's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Williams keeping full guard, as Zoff tries to pass.
Williams doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Williams looking for a sweep. Not yet Williams, not yet.

Williams throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zoff with a flurry of punches that miss.
Williams 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.
Williams wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoff postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Williams misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.
Willard Williams is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zoff dodges the punch combination from Williams.
Zoff wants to clinch up but Williams keeps it at a distance.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Zoff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Williams, pushing him back against the cage.
Williams gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zoff.

Zoff works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Zoff wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.

Williams working for a triangle but Zoff defends it easily.
Williams trying to keep a closed guard but Zoff is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Zoff will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zoff steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Williams.
Williams lands a two punch combo.
Williams throws a head kick that misses

and Zoff counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zoff.
Zoff landing knees to the head.
Zoff has Williams pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Williams manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zoff tries a knee to the head but Williams blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zoff.
A right hand to the body from Williams.
Williams scores with a shot to the side of Zoff's head.
A short right from Williams.
Zoff jumps guard but Williams stands there with Zoff around his waist. Zoff gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zoff misses with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Williams.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Williams.
Williams lands a shot to the body.
Williams wants to break free but Zoff has control.
Williams lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zoff backwards.
Zoff takes a shot to the head.
Williams lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Williams lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams stops a takedown attempt from Zoff.
Willard Williams has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Zoff.
Williams gets through Zoff's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Williams lands with a light punch inside.

Williams pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Williams keeps the fight on the outside.
Williams fails to land with a series of punches.
Williams falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zoff counters with a nice low kick that buckles Williams's knee momentarily.
Williams throws a series of punches but Zoff moves out of range.
Williams is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zoff.
Zoff feints and then cracks Williams's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Williams down.

Zoff rushes Williams and presses him up against the cage.
Zoff landing knees to the head.
Williams lands with a short shot to the head.
Zoff's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zoff manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Zoff keeping moving, preventing Williams from controlling successfully.
Zoff is pulling down on Williams's head to control his posture.
Williams postures up in Zoff's guard and throws a big left but Zoff blocks it.
Zoff keeping full guard, as Williams tries to pass.
Williams throws a big right hand that misses.
Williams wants to control from the top but Zoff keeps moving.
Zoff is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Zoff drives through with a takedown into guard.

Zoff thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zoff throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Zoff drops back looking for a leg! Williams is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Williams manages to kick Zoff off! Zoff jumps back into Williams's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Williams is on top in guard.
Williams is looking to work some ground and pound but Zoff has wrist control.
Williams throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Williams working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Williams thows a big elbow that misses.

Zoff looking for a guillotine here but Williams defends easily.
Williams trying to control but Zoff is working from the bottom.
Willard Williams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Williams is looking to work some ground and pound but Zoff has wrist control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Williams shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Zoff drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mike Zoff is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Williams is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zoff defends well.
Williams keeping moving, preventing Zoff from controlling successfully.

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 Willard Williams.
I think Zoff 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Zoff!