PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zeke Houk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Heartman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Houk's entrance music is Hell's Bell's. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Houk
vs
Heartman

185 cm
20
204 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
211 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Solid chin

Q159 just 100$ --> Elite Nutrition Company

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zeke Houk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Heartman!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houk shoots in and drives through. Heartman sprawls well.
Houk scores with a jab. Heartman acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Heartman moves into the clinch.
Houk gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Heartman.
Houk tries to pull guard but Heartman holds him up against the cage and eventually Houk drops back down to his feet.
Heartman tries to land knees in the clinch but Houk avoids the damage to the body.
Heartman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Zeke Houk has been cut.
Heartman prevents a body shot from Houk.
Heartman misses with a knee to the head.

Houk pulls guard effortlessly.
Houk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Heartman won't allow Houk to sweep him here.
Houk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Heartman is controlling him.
Houk 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.
Heartman wanted to stand there but Houk had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houk keeping full guard, as Heartman tries to pass.
Houk working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Heartman closes the distance and clinches.
Houk tries to pull guard but Heartman holds him up against the cage and eventually Houk drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeke Houk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Houk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Houk avoiding damage as Heartman throws knees to the body.
Houk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Heartman walks away with a smile on his face. Houk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Heartman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Houk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Heartman lands an elbow inside.
Houk gets underhooks to prevent Heartman's takedown attempt.
Heartman tries to land knees in the clinch but Houk avoids the damage to the body.
Houk drops down looking for an ankle pick but Heartman pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Houk shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Heartman is trying to defend but Houk finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Heartman wants to get back to his feet.

Houk is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Heartman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Houk.
Houk is keen to just control but Heartman is a slippery customer.
Houk is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Heartman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Houk winds up and cracks Heartman with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Houk wants to control but Heartman is keeping him busy.
Heartman pushes Houk off looking to stand but Houk dives back in and keeps control.
Heartman is not content to let Houk control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Heartman doesn't manage to clinch there - Houk circles away.
Heartman is looking to clinch but Houk is avoiding it.
Heartman misses with a low kick.
Houk tries to score a power double leg takedown but Heartman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Houk somewhat.
Houk is breathing heavily.
Houk has a takedown stuffed.
Houk dives in and grabs Heartman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Heartman pushes down on Houk's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Heartman as Houk shoots in.

Heartman has closed the distance and engaged Houk in a clinch.
Houk fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Heartman trying to land knees to the body.
Houk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Heartman lands a damaging elbow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Heartman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Heartman lands a nice elbow.

Zeke Houk's cut is getting worse.
Heartman stalls.
Houk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Heartman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Houk takes an elbow to the temple.
Houk takes an elbow to the temple.
Heartman swings wildly with an uppercut but Houk uses good head movement to avoid it.
Houk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Heartman lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Houk backwards.
Heartman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Zeke Houk's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Houk tries to pull guard but Heartman won't allow it.
Heartman content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Heartman is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Houk is defending well for now.
Heartman tries to score a body lock takedown but Houk shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Heartman lands an elbow just above Houk 's eye.
Houk on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Heartman lands a nice elbow.

Jeez, Zeke Houk's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Heartman lands an elbow inside.
Houk is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Heartman is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Heartman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zeke Houk's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Houk shoots for a double leg takedown but Heartman sprawls well. He's pushed Houk's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Houk tries to clinch

and Heartman counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Heartman throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heartman wants to pass the guard but Houk is keeping the position.
Houk is looking to stand up but Heartman isn't so interested in that idea.
Heartman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Houk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Heartman throws and elbow that misses. Houk uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Heartman's guard. Nice move by Houk!
Houk trying to control the position from guard on top but Heartman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Heartman wants to stand up but Houk is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heartman is adopting a defensive guard.
Houk stops Heartman from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Houk throws a head kick but Heartman moves out of range.
Zeke Houk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houk shoots in for a takedown but Heartman shows good takedown defense.
Houk looks to clinch

and Heartman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Heartman lands an elbow inside.
Houk blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Houk jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Heartman walks away with a smile on his face. Houk gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeke Houk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Houk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Heartman's waist but Heartman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Houk off to one side.

Houk feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Houk throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Heartman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Houk.
Heartman keeping moving, preventing Houk from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Heartman wants to sweep but no luck.

Houk decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Heartman, up you get!

Heartman darts in and clinches Houk up against the cage.
Heartman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Houk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Heartman smiles and moves away.

Heartman closes the distance and clinches.
Heartman lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houk is looking to break free of the clinch but Heartman has double underhooks.

Houk manages to break the clinch.
Heartman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Houk but Houk pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Houk fails with the takedown.
Zeke Houk is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Heartman looks for the body kick but Houk saw that one coming.
Houk shoots in looking for a takedown. Heartman tries to sprawl out of it but Houk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Heartman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Heartman looks to land a combination but Houk avoids it well.
Houk looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Houk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Heartman is fending him off so far but Houk persists. Nope, Heartman circles away and we're back to standing.

Heartman gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Heartman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Houk's elbow.
Heartman gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Heartman has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Houk uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houk not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Heartman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Heartman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Houk.
Heartman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Heartman has a closed guard, preventing Houk from standing up.
Houk thows a big elbow that misses.
Houk throwing strikes but missing.
Houk trying to control but Heartman is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Heartman instigates a clinch.
Heartman lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Heartman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zeke Houk's cut.
That's time! Houk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Houk swats away the attempt to clinch by Heartman.
Heartman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Houk but Houk pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Houk throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Heartman's waist but Heartman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Houk off to one side.
Houk looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Heartman moves into the clinch.
Heartman prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeke Houk. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Houk tries to break the clinch but Heartman is controlling the position.
Heartman lands an elbow just above Houk 's eye.
Houk pushes Heartman back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Houk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Heartman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Heartman misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Houk.
Houk gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Heartman.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice elbow from Heartman.
Heartman throws a punch but it's blocked by Houk.
Houk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Heartman just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Houk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Heartman is pushing Houk up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Heartman misses with a knee to the head.
Heartman lands an elbow inside.
Houk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Heartman smiles and moves away.

Heartman drives through and clinches with Houk against the cage.
Houk tries to pull guard but Heartman won't allow it.
Houk tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Heartman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Houk fails to pull guard.
A head punch on the inside from Houk fails to land.
Heartman fails to pull guard.

Houk pulls guard.

Houk manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Houk.
Heartman is looking to regain half guard here but Houk keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houk is looking to take a break and control but Heartman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Houk looks up at the clock and then as Heartman takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Houk smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Heartman avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Houk.
Houk working the ground and pound but Heartman is defending the strikes.
Houk trying to control the action but Heartman is working from the bottom.
Houk working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Heartman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Houk swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Houk misses with a takedown attempt - Heartman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Houk tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Heartman moves into the clinch.
Heartman lands an elbow inside.
A short right from Heartman.
Heartman has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Houk is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Houk is working for takedown but Heartman is calmly controlling the position for now.
Houk drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Heartman gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Houk tries for a takedown. No joy.

Heartman pulls guard.
Houk works over Heartman with some ground and pound from guard.
Heartman keeping moving, preventing Houk from controlling successfully.
Heartman is pulling down on Houk's head. It's preventing any offense from Houk, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Heartman pushes Houk off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Houk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Houk fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Heartman. No joy for Houk on that attempt.
Nick Heartman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Heartman moves into the clinch.
Houk tries to pull guard but Heartman holds him up against the cage and eventually Houk drops back down to his feet.
Heartman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Houk avoids it.
Heartman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Heartman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zeke Houk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Heartman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Heartman closes the distance and pushes Houk back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Heartman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Heartman 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Heartman!