PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between hani ho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zinedine Zidane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). ho comes to the cage accompanied by not afraid. Zidane has chosen I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys as his entrance music. Zinedine Zidane will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

ho
vs
Zidane

170 cm
19
164 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
20
163 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, hani ho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zinedine Zidane!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zidane looks for a takedown but ho sprawls well.
hani ho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zidane throws a quick head kick that skims the top of ho's head.

It looks like hani ho has been cut.

ho gets the takedown into side control.
Zidane can't do much from the bottom here.
Zidane tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but ho wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Zidane throws ho to one side and escapes!
Nice body kick from Zidane.

ho looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zidane is on top in guard.
Zidane wants to control from the top but ho keeps moving.
ho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
ho is looking to stand back up but Zidane counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by ho.
ho is looking to escape.
ho is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zidane wants to work for an arm triangle but ho is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zidane wants to pass to mount but ho is defending the position.
ho is trying to stand back up but Zidane is controlling him
Zidane tries to stand but his hand is stuck under ho.
ho blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zidane.

Zidane is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zidane thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zidane works his way into side control.
ho is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zidane asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Zidane tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zidane has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Zidane is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but ho is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
ho wants to control but Zidane postures up.
Zidane wants to stand but ho is controlling his arm.

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

Zidane is trying to get an arm triangle but ho is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zidane is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. ho knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zidane wants to stand but ho is controlling his arm.

Zidane swings around for an armbar but ho sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Zidane's guard.
Zidane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zidane manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. ho manages to get himself to full guard.
ho is looking to stand up but Zidane isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
ho working a defensive guard here.
Zidane advances position into side control!
Zidane tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Zidane tries to advance to mount but ho denies him.
ho tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zidane wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
ho parries the strikes from Zidane easily there. Zidane is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable ho to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zidane stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zidane shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and ho decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zidane's guard.
Zidane working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zinedine Zidane dominated that round.
The cut man is working on hani ho's cut.
That's time! ho's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zidane lands with a slapping head kick.
Zidane lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
hani ho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

ho changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zidane looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Zidane is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on ho's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zidane wants to control but ho is keeping busy.

Zidane looking for submissions off his back.
Zidane regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zidane manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
ho avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zidane.
ho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zidane on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ho wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Zidane throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for ho because Zidane loaded up on that one.

Zidane has control of ho's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and ho regains control of the situation pretty easily.
ho wants to hold on but Zidane pushes him away.
Zidane is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Zidane thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zidane landing punches.
Zinedine Zidane has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zidane unloads with some shots from mount but ho bucks and avoids them well.
Zidane throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for ho because Zidane loaded up on that one.
Zidane wants to get back to his feet but ho is holding on tight.
Zidane tries to control but ho wriggling away.
Zidane thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Zidane tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
ho on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if ho tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zidane goes for an armbar but he's not got it… ho turns into him and now he's in Zidane's guard.
Zidane wants to stand up but ho is controlling him.
ho in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zidane looking to control.
ho throws and elbow that misses. Zidane uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in ho's guard. Nice move by Zidane!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zidane is looking to stand up but ho won't let him.
Zidane postures up in ho's guard and throws a big left but ho blocks it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zidane looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

ho scores with a takedown into Zidane's guard.
Zidane wants to get back to his feet but ho is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zidane not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Zidane is looking for a triangle but ho pushes his legs off easily.
Zidane has momentary wrist control but ho slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zinedine Zidane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on hani ho's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

ho shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zidane napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Zidane sneaks back into half guard.
ho is trying to control. Zidane wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zidane wants to control but ho is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zidane slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zidane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zidane is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Zidane is looking for a triangle but ho pushes his legs off easily.
Zidane is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst ho is controlling him.
ho postures up and lands a big shot to Zidane's brow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zidane is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. ho is aware though and is defending well.
ho won't allow Zidane to sweep him here.
ho is looking to work some ground and pound but Zidane has wrist control.
Zidane is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst ho is controlling him.
Zidane has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
ho postures up and lands a big shot to Zidane's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as ho accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
ho throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Zidane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. ho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Zidane is tightening it up a little... ho has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! ho reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! ho taps out! nice BJJ there by Zidane!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Zinedine Zidane!