PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Phillip Ziskie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dragon Dagger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dagger has chosen Beow as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Ziskie
vs
Dagger

170 cm
19
145 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

160 cm
25
130 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Phillip Ziskie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dragon Dagger!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ziskie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dagger.
Dagger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ziskie doesn't manage to clinch there - Dagger circles away.

Dagger throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ziskie tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dagger is in Ziskie's guard.
Ziskie wants to stand and escape but Dagger is having none of it.
Ziskie knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dagger on the ground.
Dagger throwing strikes but missing.
Dagger wants to pass the guard but Ziskie is keeping the position.
Dagger thows a big elbow that misses.
Dagger looking to pass the guard.
Dagger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dagger sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ziskie's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dagger.

Dagger is looking for a kimura here.
Dagger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ziskie defending well though.
Ziskie pushes Dagger off looking to stand but Dagger dives back in and keeps control.

Dagger is looking for a kimura here.

Dagger seems to be working for a kimura but Ziskie defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dagger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ziskie is just riding it out for now. Dagger eventually gives up the hold.

That's two 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.

Dagger is working for a submission of some sort.

Dagger is looking for a kimura but Ziskie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dagger to get the leverage.
Ziskie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dagger.
Ziskie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dagger.
Dagger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ziskie's head.

Dagger seems to be working for a kimura but Ziskie defends the submission attempt.
Dagger throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dagger throwing shots but Ziskie is blocking nicely.
Dagger throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Dagger is looking for a kimura here.

Dagger is looking for a kimura but Ziskie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dagger to get the leverage.
Dagger missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ziskie is trying to stand.
Ground and pound from Dagger.

Dagger is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ziskie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ziskie is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dagger is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ziskie is just riding it out for now. Dagger eventually gives up the hold.
Dagger thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dagger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dagger not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dagger is looking for a kimura here.
Dagger throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragon Dagger dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ziskie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dagger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ziskie misses with a two punch combination.
Dagger looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ziskie slaps away a takedown attempt from Dagger, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Phillip Ziskie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dragon Dagger.
Ziskie connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dagger moves forwards but Ziskie connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ziskie throws the kick towards the body but Dagger avoids it.
Ziskie lands a head kick!
Dagger fails to land the takedown.
Ziskie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dagger.
Phillip Ziskie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziskie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dagger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dagger throws a hook but Ziskie avoids it easily.

Ziskie gets caught flat footed, as Dagger shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Dagger prevents Ziskie from getting back to his feet.
Dagger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ziskie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dagger is controlling him.

Dagger is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Dagger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ziskie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dagger is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dagger drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dagger jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Dagger works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Dagger is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Dagger is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ziskie sees it coming and defends easily.

Dagger is trying to work for a kimura but Ziskie is defending well.

Dagger is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Dagger not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie is trying to stand up here but Dagger is controlling him well.

Dagger is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ziskie sees it coming and defends easily.
Dagger throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ziskie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Dagger.
Dagger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Dagger seems to be working for a kimura but Ziskie defends the submission attempt.

Dagger looking for a submission but Ziskie manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Dagger postures up and lands a big shot to Ziskie's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dagger advances position into side control!
The ground and pound from Dagger seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Dagger wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ziskie, who protects the arm well.
Ziskie is working to avoid the ground and pound but Dagger connects with a decent elbow.
Dagger throws a strike aimed at the side of Ziskie's head but Ziskie avoids it well.
Dagger throws an elbow but Ziskie slips to the side and avoids it well.
Ziskie on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Dagger works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
An elbow from Dagger crashes against the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dragon Dagger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Dagger throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ziskie's waist but Ziskie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dagger off to one side.
Ziskie tries a head kick but it misses.
A combination from Ziskie does no damage.
Ziskie misses with a hook.
Ziskie throws the left hand but Dagger avoids the punch easily.
Ziskie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ziskie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dagger fails with a takedown attempt.
Dagger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ziskie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dagger somewhat.
Phillip Ziskie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dragon Dagger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dagger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie lands a body shot.
Dagger keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ziskie throws out a leg kick but Dagger moves out of range and Ziskie only half commits.
Dagger misses with a takedown attempt - Ziskie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dagger looks for a takedown but Ziskie sprawls well.
Dagger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dagger shoots in and drives through. Ziskie sprawls well.
Ziskie punishes Dagger's body with a nice straight punch.
A slow jab from Ziskie misses its intended target.
Ziskie jabs at Dagger's body.
Ziskie misses with a hook. Dagger ducked under it nicely.
Ziskie ducks under a wild hook from Dagger.
Dagger ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ziskie.

Dagger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ziskie's guard.

Dagger has gone for a leg lock! Ziskie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Dagger's guard.
Dagger looking to control.
Dragon Dagger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ziskie wants to stand but Dagger is controlling his posture from full guard.

Ziskie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dagger has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ziskie has managed to get both his arms back between Dagger's legs - danger averted.
Ziskie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dagger is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dagger trying to keep a closed guard but Ziskie is proving a slippery customer.
Ziskie wants to stand but Dagger is controlling his posture from full guard.

Ziskie stands up and waves to Dagger to follow him.
Dagger on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Dagger slips a jab and a cross from Ziskie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dagger.
Dagger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Ziskie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A lazy left from Ziskie finds it's target.
Dagger uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ziskie.
Ziskie is looking to slow Dagger down with leg kicks.
Ziskie throws a sloppy head kick and Dagger moves out of range easily.
Ziskie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ziskie lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Dagger walks into a stiff left hand from Ziskie.
Phillip Ziskie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dagger moves away from the strike by Ziskie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phillip Ziskie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dagger 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dragon Dagger!