PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenpachi Zaraki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Rockwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockwell is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Voices. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zaraki
vs
Rockwell

199 cm
25
196 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

188 cm
24
205 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenpachi Zaraki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Simon Rockwell!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaraki shoots for a double leg takedown but Rockwell sprawls well. He's pushed Zaraki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Zaraki decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zaraki wants to control but Rockwell is keeping him busy.

Rockwell actively working from the bottom here.
Zaraki throwing shots but Rockwell is blocking nicely.
Rockwell tries to roll over but Zaraki keeps him under control.
Zaraki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Rockwell makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Rockwell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaraki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rockwell tries to avoid it but Zaraki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rockwell to the ground. Rockwell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rockwell.
Zaraki fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenpachi Zaraki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rockwell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Rockwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaraki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rockwell throws a head kick but Zaraki moves out of range.
Rockwell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zaraki.
Rockwell slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaraki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zaraki shoots for a double leg takedown but Rockwell sprawls well. He's pushed Zaraki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zaraki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zaraki.
Zaraki tries for a takedown but Rockwell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zaraki is breathing heavily.
Rockwell throws a body kick that misses.

Zaraki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rockwell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Rockwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zaraki trying to control the position from guard on top but Rockwell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zaraki 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell is pulling down on Zaraki's head to control his posture.
Zaraki throws a strike but Rockwell rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zaraki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rockwell defends it easily.

Zaraki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rockwell is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rockwell passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Zaraki is looking for a sweep.

Rockwell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rockwell is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zaraki is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Rockwell is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zaraki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Zaraki taking a bit of punishment here - Rockwell scoring with strikes.
Zaraki really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zaraki is trying to get back to half guard.
Zaraki is trying to control Rockwell's posture but Rockwell avoids it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Rockwell decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zaraki to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell tries a head kick but it misses.
Rockwell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Zaraki looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rockwell!
Zaraki dominating with strikes here.
Zaraki putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Rockwell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zaraki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zaraki looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zaraki goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rockwell is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zaraki is looking for a triangle but Rockwell pushes his legs off easily.

Zaraki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rockwell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Simon Rockwell will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rockwell tries a head kick but it misses.
Rockwell tests Zaraki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Horrible takedown by Zaraki or perhaps it was just good defense by Rockwell which made him look bad.
Rockwell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rockwell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zaraki slips a jab and a cross from Rockwell.
Rockwell throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rockwell stuffs the takedown.
Rockwell goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rockwell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rockwell connects with a single shot there.
Zaraki fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenpachi Zaraki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Rockwell there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rockwell misses with a head kick.
Zaraki shoots in looking for a takedown. Rockwell tries to sprawl out of it but Zaraki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rockwell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zaraki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rockwell defends it nicely.
Rockwell stalks Zaraki and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zaraki's face. Zaraki staggers backwards, shaken.
Zaraki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rockwell tests Zaraki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kenpachi Zaraki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Rockwell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rockwell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell cracks Zaraki with an open hand slap.
Rockwell cracks Zaraki with a good jab.
Rockwell connects with a solid leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rockwell throws a right and a left that Zaraki avoids nicely.
Zaraki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rockwell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rockwell misses with a jab, cross combination.
A right-left combo lands from Rockwell.
Rockwell leaves Zaraki with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zaraki takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Kenpachi Zaraki has been cut.
Rockwell misses with a series of wild punches.
Zaraki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rockwell with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell stuffs the takedown attempt from Zaraki. Zaraki gets slowly back to his feet.
Simon Rockwell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaraki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zaraki fails with a takedown attempt.
Zaraki fails to land the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Rockwell.
Rockwell lands a jab-cross combination.
Rockwell throws a sloppy head kick and Zaraki moves out of range easily.
Rockwell takes a swing at Zaraki's ribcage but misses.
Rockwell lands a two punch combo.
Rockwell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for Rockwell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nice takedown defense from Rockwell. No joy for Zaraki on that attempt.
Rockwell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rockwell pushes Zaraki away with a front kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A shot to the liver by Rockwell. Beautiful body shot.
Rockwell misses with a head kick.
Rockwell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rockwell misses with the combination.
Zaraki moves forwards but Rockwell connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice sprawl there from Rockwell as Zaraki shoots in.
Rockwell scores with a nice strike.
Rockwell uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Zaraki avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Rockwell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kenpachi Zaraki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rockwell cracks Zaraki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rockwell throws a shot to the body.
Zaraki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rockwell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zaraki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rockwell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rockwell misses with a double jab.
No luck for Zaraki with that takedown attempt.
Rockwell throws a head kick that misses.
Rockwell misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaraki shoots for a double leg takedown but Rockwell sprawls well. He's pushed Zaraki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenpachi Zaraki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rockwell lands a jab to Zaraki's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockwell lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Simon Rockwell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rockwell darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zaraki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rockwell throws a push kick but Zaraki slaps the foot to one side.
Zaraki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rockwell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zaraki somewhat.
Zaraki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zaraki takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rockwell throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rockwell turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rockwell tries a head kick but it misses.
Rockwell throws a low kick but Zaraki avoids it.
Rockwell tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rockwell throws a nice head kick!
Zaraki shoots in for a double leg but Rockwell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rockwell slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaraki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rockwell throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rockwell misses with a wild combination.
Kenpachi Zaraki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rockwell lands with an overhand left.
Rockwell lands a jab.
Zaraki shoots for a double leg takedown but Rockwell sprawls well. He's pushed Zaraki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rockwell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A good leg kick by Rockwell.
Zaraki avoids the head kick by Rockwell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell fails to land with a series of punches.
Zaraki shoots in for a takedown but Rockwell shows good takedown defense.
Rockwell changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rockwell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rockwell fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rockwell throws a leg kick but Zaraki sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rockwell throws a head kick that misses.
Rockwell lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zaraki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rockwell defends it nicely.
Zaraki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rockwell scores with a one two! Zaraki had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kenpachi Zaraki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockwell jabs Zaraki right on the nose. Zaraki blinks but takes it well.
Rockwell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rockwell throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rockwell tests Zaraki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zaraki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rockwell counters with a stiff right hand.
Rockwell misses with a low kick as Zaraki jumps back.
Rockwell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Some wild striking there from Rockwell.
Rockwell scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nice jab there from Rockwell.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zaraki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rockwell blocks a jab.
Rockwell misses with a double jab.
Rockwell closes the distance and lands a one-two.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Rockwell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rockwell 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 25:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Rockwell!