PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Junior Zappa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shoju Bayushi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bayushi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Masta Killa. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Zappa
vs
Bayushi

171 cm
27
156 lbs
10 - 8 - 1

170 cm
25
150 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

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Charlie Wang's Nutrition and Laundry

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 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Junior Zappa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shoju Bayushi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zappa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bayushi doesn't seem bothered though.
Zappa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bayushi on the side of the head.
Zappa throws an off balance right hand

and Bayushi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zappa won't be happy with that.
Bayushi tries to move into full mount but can't pass Zappa's legs.

Bayushi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zappa tries to buck Bayushi off but Bayushi is having none of it.
Zappa wants to control but Bayushi postures up.
Zappa stops Bayushi from passing to mount.
Zappa wants to control but Bayushi postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bayushi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zappa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Bayushi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zappa tries to bench press Bayushi off him but Bayushi keeps the position.
Zappa prevents Bayushi from improving position.
Zappa tries to buck Bayushi off but Bayushi is having none of it.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zappa gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Bayushi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Bayushi seems to be looking for submissions.
Zappa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bayushi is looking to work some ground and pound but Zappa has wrist control.

Bayushi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Zappa looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Zappa looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Zappa!
Bayushi looks gassed!
Zappa connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Bayushi some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappa misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bayushi tries to buck Zappa off but Zappa is having none of it.
Bayushi struggling a bit here.
Zappa misses with the ground and pound.
Bayushi takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Zappa advances to mount.
Zappa throws some wild stikes that Bayushi manages to avoid easily.
Zappa has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bayushi's face.
Bayushi is bucking up trying to escape but Zappa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Zappa is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bayushi can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Bayushi is staying active underneath Zappa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zappa not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Zappa moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Bayushi.

Bayushi explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
A head kick from Zappa lands but Bayushi takes it in his stride.

It looks like Shoju Bayushi has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zappa misses with a shot to the body

and Bayushi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zappa's guard now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Bayushi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zappa flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Zappa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bayushi.

Bayushi is working for a kimura but Zappa is defending it quite comfortably.
Bayushi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zappa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zappa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Bayushi is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zappa is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zappa has escaped and now he's on top!
Zappa is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zappa.

Bayushi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zappa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zappa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zappa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zappa is working Bayushi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Bayushi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Zappa passes into side control.
Zappa tries to move into full mount but can't pass Bayushi's legs.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Bayushi is looking to regain half guard here but Zappa keeps moving and retains side control.
Zappa misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bayushi is trying to improve his position.
Bayushi parries the strikes from Zappa easily there. Zappa is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bayushi to escape.
Bayushi struggling a bit here.
Zappa tries to score with some ground and pound. Bayushi controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bayushi is not content to let Zappa control the position.
Bayushi regains half guard.
Zappa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bayushi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bayushi is refusing to be controlled, as Zappa sits in half guard.
Bayushi is trying to get back to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zappa blocks the strikes from Bayushi.
Zappa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bayushi is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Zappa jumps into side control!
Bayushi being controlled for a moment.
Bayushi manages to get back to half guard.
Bayushi wants to improve his position but Zappa is controlling well.
Bayushi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zappa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zappa's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Junior Zappa will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shoju Bayushi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zappa throws a poor cross that misses

and Bayushi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zappa won't be happy with that.
Bayushi wants to stand but Zappa is controlling his arm.
An elbow from Bayushi crashes against the mat.
Bayushi trying to control the position but Zappa is working away.
Zappa manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Zappa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Bayushi is looking for submissions but instead, Zappa has regained full guard.
Shoju Bayushi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bayushi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bayushi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zappa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bayushi manages to get himself to full guard.

Bayushi has his foot on Zappa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zappa works his way back into a safe position though.
Zappa with a nice head shot there.
Zappa trying to control the position from guard on top but Bayushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bayushi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bayushi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Bayushi has an active guard here but Zappa has managed to pass into half guard.
Zappa is nestled in close to Bayushi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zappa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zappa uses his free foot to push down on Bayushi's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bayushi.
Bayushi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Zappa unloads with some shots from mount but Bayushi bucks and avoids them well.
Zappa looking to control but Bayushi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zappa prevents Bayushi from getting the reversal.
Zappa controlling the pace for now.
Bayushi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappa landing punches.
Zappa punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Zappa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Zappa landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zappa sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Bayushi tries to reverse the position but Zappa maintains control.
Zappa landing strikes from the mount.
Bayushi is desperately trying to improve his position but Zappa has a good base and remains in mount.
Zappa scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bayushi?
Zappa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Bayushi wants to hold on but Zappa pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zappa with the ground and pound from mount.
Bayushi is looking to improve his position but Zappa isn't that keen on the idea.
Zappa working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Bayushi can't escape the position.
Zappa takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zappa landing strikes from the mount and Bayushi is in trouble!
Zappa has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bayushi's face.
Zappa trying to control but Bayushi is having none of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi tries to hold on but Zappa pushes him away.
Zappa content just to control the position here.
Bayushi is trying desperately to improve position.
Zappa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bayushi is looking to escape.
Bayushi is trying to escape the mount.
Zappa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's six 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.
Zappa lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bayushi hang on?
Bayushi is desperately trying to improve his position but Zappa has a good base and remains in mount.

Zappa wants to finish this one by submission but Bayushi is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Zappa.
Bayushi prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Zappa fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Zappa thowing shots but they're missing.
Zappa throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Bayushi because Zappa loaded up on that one.
Zappa controlling the position easily from mount.
Bayushi is looking to improve his position but Zappa isn't that keen on the idea.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bayushi is desperately trying to improve his position but Zappa has a good base and remains in mount.
Zappa avoids the attempt from Bayushi to control.
Zappa lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Zappa fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Zappa lands a heavy elbow.

Zappa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Bayushi is now in Zappa's guard. A big mistake from Zappa there, giving up the dominant position!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zappa is on top in guard.

Bayushi has his foot on Zappa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zappa works his way back into a safe position though.
Zappa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zappa is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zappa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bayushi is keeping the position for now.
Zappa controlling from the top position.

Bayushi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Zappa stacks Bayushi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Zappa!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bayushi is looking for a sweep.
Bayushi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zappa is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
You can see the frustration on Bayushi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zappa trying to control the position but Bayushi is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Zappa dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shoju Bayushi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zappa misses with a lunging right hand
and Bayushi counters with a one-two to the body.
Zappa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zappa misses with a combination

and Bayushi counters with a single leg into guard. Zappa didn't expect that.
Bayushi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zappa keeping moving, preventing Bayushi from controlling successfully.
Zappa is trying to control the position but Bayushi postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bayushi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bayushi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zappa is keeping the position for now.
Bayushi wants to control from the top but Zappa keeps moving.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Bayushi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zappa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bayushi has Zappa in his guard.
Zappa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two 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.
Bayushi is being controlled here.
Zappa working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ground and pound from Zappa seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bayushi tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Bayushi is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Zappa lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bayushi can't escape the position.
Bayushi tries to hold on but Zappa pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Zappa punishing his opponent with strikes.

Zappa with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Bayushi wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zappa.
Zappa wants to control the pace but Bayushi is squirming around nicely.
Zappa landing strikes from the mount and Bayushi is in trouble!
Bayushi is squirming around, avoiding Zappa's attempts to control the action.
Zappa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zappa with shots to the head and body - Bayushi looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bayushi wants to hold on but Zappa pushes him away.
Zappa controlling from the full mount.
Bayushi regains half guard.
Zappa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bayushi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zappa.

Bayushi looking for submissions off his back.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Zappa slows the pace down in half guard.
Bayushi tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Zappa thows a huge punch but Bayushi dodges it nicely.
Bayushi tries to kick Zappa off in order to stand up. Zappa Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Bayushi parries the strikes from Zappa easily there. Zappa is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bayushi to escape.
Zappa scores with a couple of short elbows.
Zappa taking a breather here.
Bayushi wants to get back to his feet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bayushi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zappa.
Zappa controlling the position.
The strikes coming from Zappa are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bayushi bucks up and tries to throw Zappa off but instead Zappa has got his back!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Zappa's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Zappa throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zappa keeps control of the position as Bayushi tries to break free.
Zappa is riding his opponent, not letting Bayushi buck him off.
Zappa scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Bayushi is looking for a way out.
Zappa lands strikes to the head.
Bayushi covers up after that shot from Zappa.
Zappa lands shots from the back.
Zappa gets his hands free as Bayushi looks to control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zappa controlling well, preventing Bayushi from escaping the position.
Zappa misses with a punch to the head.
Bayushi is trying to stand back up.
Bayushi is really stuck here.
Zappa biding his time, looking for the opening.
Shoju Bayushi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zappa gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Bayushi is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Zappa.
Bayushi trying to control the position but Zappa manages to sink in the hooks.
Bayushi tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zappa raining down shots from the mount!
Zappa thowing shots but they're missing.
Zappa controlling from mount.
Bayushi working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Zappa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Zappa controlling from mount.
Bayushi is looking to improve his position but Zappa isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junior Zappa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zappa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Junior Zappa!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Junior Zappa!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Junior Zappa!

Junior Zappa wins by unanimous decision!