PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Walters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Zargano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Walters
vs
Zargano

162 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Walters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriel Zargano!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walters misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zargano takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Walters misses with a takedown

and Zargano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Walters's guard.

Walters is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zargano wanted to stand there but Walters had control of the position.
Zargano trying to control but Walters is working from the bottom.
Walters can't keep his opponent in guard - Zargano advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zargano looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Zargano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zargano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zargano tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Walters.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zargano perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Zargano is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zargano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zargano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Walters is not content to let Zargano control the position.
Zargano looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Walters trying to hold on to Zargano's head to control him but Zargano postures up.
Zargano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Walters's head.
Zargano is looking to advance position but Walters won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walters is trying to control but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Walters misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zargano.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zargano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zargano shoots in for a takedown but Walters shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zargano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
James Walters has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Zargano.
Zargano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Walters but Walters pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zargano fails with the takedown

and Walters counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Walters has Zargano pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Walters pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zargano tumbling to the mat - Walters dives into Zargano's guard.
Walters wants to control from the top but Zargano keeps moving.
Walters is breathing heavily.

Zargano is looking to sinch up a triangle. Walters throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Zargano's body to avoid the submission. Zargano has instead reached around Walters's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Zargano arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Gabriel Zargano!