PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arturo Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zimmerman comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The theme from Close encounters of the 3ed kind kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! On his way into the ring it seems that Arturo Ward has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Arturo Ward seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ward
vs
Zimmerman

175 cm
23
154 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

177 cm
26
152 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
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 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arturo Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eric Zimmerman!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zimmerman instigates a clinch.

Zimmerman works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Zimmerman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zimmerman.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Ward has his foot on Zimmerman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zimmerman works his way back into a safe position though.
Ward wants to sweep here but Zimmerman controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Zimmerman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zimmerman wanted to stand there but Ward had control of the position.

Ward is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Ward has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zimmerman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ward being controlled here, momentarily.
Zimmerman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ward's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ward's head.

Ward has his foot on Zimmerman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zimmerman works his way back into a safe position though.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zimmerman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zimmerman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ward is breathing heavily.
Zimmerman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zimmerman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zimmerman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Ward looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zimmerman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zimmerman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zimmerman is working Ward over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zimmerman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ward has momentary wrist control but Zimmerman slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zimmerman working some strikes from top position.
Zimmerman landing some decent shots from guard.
Ward utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Zimmerman from controlling successfully.
Zimmerman scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zimmerman slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zimmerman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ward's head.
Zimmerman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Ward had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zimmerman defends it easily.
Zimmerman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ward's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Zimmerman off! Zimmerman jumps back into Ward's guard.
Zimmerman working some strikes from top position.
Ward has momentary wrist control but Zimmerman slips an elbow through the middle.

Ward is rocked!
Zimmerman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Oh Ward is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zimmerman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Zimmerman is working Ward over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zimmerman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Zimmerman chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman loads up on a big left hand. Ward felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Zimmerman looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Ward can't hide his disappointment, as Zimmerman celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eric Zimmerman!