PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zane Peltier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peltier has chosen Rockstar-Chamillionaire as his entrance music. Tony Ferguson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Zane Peltier's chin.

Ferguson
vs
Peltier

183 cm
29
155 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

172 cm
23
154 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Hopkins Athletics

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Ferguson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Zane Peltier!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson throws an overhand right that lands on Peltier's shoulder, as Peltier tries to avoid the shot.
Ferguson takes a swing at Peltier's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Peltier moves out of range.

Ferguson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Peltier.
Peltier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ferguson working aggressively here.
Peltier wants a takedown.
Ferguson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ferguson lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ferguson.
Peltier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Ferguson fails to land.
Ferguson lands a right hand.
Ferguson can't find room to land a body shot as Peltier controls the action.
Peltier blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltier scores a nice knee to the body.
Peltier prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
A short left from Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Peltier.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ferguson tries to work over Peltier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Peltier blocks a body shot from Ferguson.
Ferguson swings wildly with an uppercut but Peltier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferguson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Peltier backwards.
Ferguson working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Ferguson fails to land.
Peltier misses with a body punch.
Ferguson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ferguson swings wildly with an uppercut but Peltier uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson struggles to land a body shot inside as Peltier controls his hands.
Peltier drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ferguson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peltier moves away.
Ferguson connects with a crisp jab.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Peltier.
Some wild striking there from Ferguson.
Peltier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ferguson!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Peltier moves out of range.

Ferguson pushes Peltier up against the cage in a clinch.
Peltier goes for a takedown attempt but Ferguson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tony Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zane Peltier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltier drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Decent striking displayed by Ferguson there.
Ferguson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ferguson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ferguson missing with a left hand there. Peltier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ferguson looks to throw the jab but Peltier is out of range.
Ferguson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Peltier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ferguson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice jab there from Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with a lunging right hand

and Peltier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ferguson manages to get to full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Peltier throwing strikes from guard but Ferguson blocks nicely.
Peltier looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Ferguson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ferguson misses with a straight left.
Ferguson throws a jab but it's blocked by Peltier.
Peltier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ferguson misses with a two punch combination.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peltier moves away.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Ferguson misses with a hook.
Ferguson misses with the combination.
Peltier misses with a body kick.
Peltier will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ferguson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltier shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ferguson takes a swing at Peltier's ribcage but misses.
Tony Ferguson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Peltier takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ferguson throws a shot from downtown. Peltier moves away and avoids it.
Tony Ferguson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Peltier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ferguson throws out the jab.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut
and Peltier counters with a low kick, right behind Ferguson 's knee.
Ferguson swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Peltier counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ferguson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Peltier!
Peltier sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ferguson trying to control from half guard but Peltier is working away.

Peltier actively working from the bottom here.
Peltier wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ferguson is keen to just control but Peltier is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Peltier manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ferguson trying to control but Peltier is working from the bottom.
Peltier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltier working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ferguson's thigh. Ferguson counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Peltier lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Peltier throws a big elbow that misses.
Ferguson wants to get back to his feet but Peltier is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zane Peltier has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Peltier drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Peltier jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ferguson wants to stand but Peltier is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zane Peltier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ferguson misses with a looping right.
Ferguson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Peltier on the side of the head.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Peltier.

Peltier moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ferguson.
Peltier prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
Ferguson tries a body shot but Peltier blocks it.
Ferguson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Peltier missing with knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Ferguson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Peltier prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
Peltier tries to work over Ferguson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ferguson prevents the takedown attempt.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ferguson lands with a short shot to the head.
Ferguson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Peltier backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson digs a right hand into Peltier's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Peltier's gas tank.
Ferguson struggles to land a body shot inside as Peltier controls his hands.
Ferguson misses with a punch to the body.
Ferguson is leaning against Peltier and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Peltier fails to land.
Peltier tries to throw a body punch but Ferguson avoids it by throwing Peltier back against the cage.
Peltier blocks a body shot from Ferguson.
Ferguson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Ferguson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ferguson fails to land.

Peltier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Peltier was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Peltier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ferguson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson fails to land with a series of punches.
Ferguson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Peltier shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ferguson but Ferguson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ferguson cracks Peltier with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ferguson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Peltier on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Peltier was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Ferguson swings for the body but Peltier moves out of range.
Ferguson loads up on a big right hand but Peltier slips the punch.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Peltier swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ferguson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Peltier counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltier swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Peltier shoots for a double leg takedown but Ferguson sprawls well. He's pushed Peltier's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tony Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zane Peltier.

Ferguson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ferguson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Peltier.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Peltier wants to pass the guard but Ferguson is keeping the position.
Ferguson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ferguson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Peltier works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Peltier is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Peltier prevents Ferguson from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Peltier is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Ferguson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Peltier shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ferguson but Ferguson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peltier moves away.
Ferguson's corner calls for a 1-2. Ferguson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Peltier is defended easily by Ferguson.
Ferguson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peltier moves away.
Peltier takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ferguson misses with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from Ferguson. No joy for Peltier on that attempt.
Tony Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zane Peltier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a hook to the side of Peltier's head but Peltier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Peltier throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ferguson lands the left hand.
An inside leg kick from Peltier misses.
Peltier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ferguson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Peltier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ferguson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ferguson connects with a crisp jab.
Peltier tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ferguson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Peltier somewhat.
Horrible takedown by Peltier or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferguson which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A jab from Ferguson misses.
Peltier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ferguson swings for the body but Peltier moves out of range.

Peltier closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ferguson quickly recovers to half guard.
Ferguson gets full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Peltier pushing down on Ferguson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is looking for a sweep. Peltier is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ferguson pushes Peltier off looking to stand but Peltier dives back in and keeps control.
Peltier thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ferguson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Peltier.
Peltier is nestled in close to Ferguson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Peltier has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Peltier wants to free his trapped foot but Ferguson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Peltier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltier scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Peltier thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Peltier thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson has hold of Peltier's hands but Peltier slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Zane Peltier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Ferguson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ferguson swings for the body but Peltier moves out of range.
Peltier walks into a left hand.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Peltier moves out of range.
Ferguson throws a hook but Peltier avoids it easily.
Ferguson lands with a nice combination. Peltier backs away looking to recover.
Ferguson lands a jab.
Ferguson stuffs the takedown.
Peltier drops his hands momentarily and Ferguson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Peltier throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Donk. Ferguson catches Peltier right on the button with a cross.
Ferguson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Peltier counters with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltier slips a straight right by Ferguson.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ferguson jabs Peltier right on the nose. Peltier blinks but takes it well.
Ferguson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Peltier.
Ferguson throws a shot from downtown. Peltier moves away and avoids it.
Tony Ferguson is winning the standup battle so far.
Ferguson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Peltier.
Ferguson swings for the body but Peltier moves out of range.
Ferguson connects with a single shot there.
Peltier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ferguson tries to avoid it but Peltier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ferguson to the ground. Ferguson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tony Ferguson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zane Peltier.

Peltier looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ferguson has momentary wrist control but Peltier slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peltier trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Peltier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ferguson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Peltier on the ground.

Peltier has gone for a leg lock! Ferguson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Peltier's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Peltier managing to control the position.
Ferguson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Peltier escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ferguson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ferguson wants to pass the guard but Peltier is keeping the position.
Peltier wants to sweep here but Ferguson controlling him for the moment.

Peltier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ferguson is aware though and is defending well.
Ferguson trying to control the position from guard on top but Peltier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Peltier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ferguson is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peltier is trying to keep Ferguson in close.

Ferguson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Peltier has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ferguson has managed to get both his arms back between Peltier's legs - danger averted.
Peltier is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ferguson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Peltier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ferguson looking to sit in guard and control but Peltier gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ferguson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zane Peltier.
I think Peltier 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 47:48
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 47:48
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Zane Peltier!
Zane Peltier is the new lightweight champion!
After the fight, Zane Peltier was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.