PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Zargano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Szkudlar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zargano
vs
Szkudlar

165 cm
18
138 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriel Zargano!
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, Adam Szkudlar!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zargano shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Szkudlar moves into range and clinches up with Zargano.
Zargano is looking to control Szkudlar's arms but Szkudlar gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zargano has his back to the cage.

Szkudlar manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Szkudlar has a closed guard, preventing Zargano from standing up.
Zargano trying to control the position from guard on top but Szkudlar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zargano slips nicely into half guard.
Szkudlar works his way to full guard. Good work.
Szkudlar working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zargano wants to get up but he can't break Szkudlar's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Szkudlar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zargano wants to pass the guard but Szkudlar is keeping the position.
Zargano wants to control from the top but Szkudlar keeps moving.
Szkudlar is pulling down on Zargano's head to control his posture.
Szkudlar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zargano. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Adam Szkudlar has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Szkudlar slaps away a takedown attempt from Zargano, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zargano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zargano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zargano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No luck for Zargano with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Zargano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Zargano with that takedown attempt.
Szkudlar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zargano.
Szkudlar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Szkudlar avoids the head kick by Zargano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zargano tries to bum rush Szkudlar with a series of wild strikes but Szkudlar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Szkudlar clinches up with Zargano and pushes him back against the cage.
Zargano is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Szkudlar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zargano uses from the top position.
Szkudlar wants to sweep but no luck.
Szkudlar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zargano wants to control from the top but Szkudlar keeps moving.
Zargano stopping the sweep attempt from Szkudlar.
Szkudlar looks gassed!
Zargano is pushing down on Szkudlar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Szkudlar is fighting to maintain full guard but Zargano has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zargano wants to take a breather but Szkudlar is having none of it.
Zargano controlling the pace.
Zargano wants to take a breather but Szkudlar is having none of it.
Szkudlar has a hand on Zargano's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Zargano takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Zargano is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Szkudlar is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Szkudlar flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Zargano anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Szkudlar and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Zargano slips an arm under Szkudlar chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Zargano has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Zargano is squeezing on Szkudlar like an anaconda would it's prey. Szkudlar fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gabriel Zargano!