PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eric Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theo Radcliffe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zimmerman
vs
Radcliffe

177 cm
23
149 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
147 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Lightning Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eric Zimmerman!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Theo Radcliffe!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zimmerman prevents Radcliffe from breaking the clinch.
Zimmerman is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Radcliffe is pressed up against the cage. Zimmerman has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Radcliffe down to the mat. Radcliffe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zimmerman shoots for a double leg takedown but Radcliffe sprawls well. He's pushed Zimmerman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Radcliffe looks to land a combination but Zimmerman avoids it well.
Zimmerman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zimmerman shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Radcliffe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zimmerman.
Zimmerman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Radcliffe is fending him off so far but Zimmerman persists. Nope, Radcliffe circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Radcliffe lands a left and a right that sends Zimmerman crashing to the canvas! Radcliffe dives into mount looking to finish!

It looks like Eric Zimmerman has been cut.
Zimmerman is trying to escape the mount.
Radcliffe looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Radcliffe get's back to his feet.
Radcliffe throws a right hand that Zimmerman ducks under and follows up with a left that Zimmerman also avoids with ease.
Some wild striking there from Radcliffe.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown but Radcliffe shows good takedown defense.
Radcliffe throws a right and a left that Zimmerman avoids nicely.
Radcliffe misses with a wild combination.
Radcliffe looks to land a left hand but Zimmerman moved out of range nicely.
Zimmerman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Radcliffe swivels and escapes.

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.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zimmerman.
Zimmerman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Radcliffe circles away.
Zimmerman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zimmerman dodges the punch combination from Radcliffe.
Radcliffe misses with a few strikes there.
Zimmerman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Radcliffe swivels and escapes.

Zimmerman clinches up against the cage.
Zimmerman wants a takedown.
Radcliffe can't break the clinch.
Zimmerman tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Radcliffe just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zimmerman tries to pull guard but Radcliffe holds him up against the cage and eventually Zimmerman drops back down to his feet.
Radcliffe has had enough of the clinch but Zimmerman keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radcliffe can't break the clinch.
Zimmerman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Radcliffe avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Zimmerman pulls guard successfully.

Zimmerman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zimmerman is breathing heavily.
Zimmerman trying to control the position.
Radcliffe passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Zimmerman trying to control here.
Radcliffe wants to stand but Zimmerman has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Radcliffe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zimmerman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Zimmerman tries to get to full guard but Radcliffe has control of the leg.
Radcliffe is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Zimmerman trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Some wild striking there from Radcliffe.
Radcliffe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zimmerman ducks under a wild hook from Radcliffe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Theo Radcliffe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eric Zimmerman's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zimmerman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Radcliffe looks to land a combination but Zimmerman avoids it well.
Radcliffe throws a series of punches but Zimmerman avoids them all with ease.
Radcliffe misses with a few strikes there.
Radcliffe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zimmerman slips a jab and a cross from Radcliffe.

Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Zimmerman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Radcliffe wants to get back to his feet.
Zimmerman 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 one minute gone in the round.

Zimmerman has hold of Radcliffe's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Radcliffe manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Radcliffe is breathing heavily.
Zimmerman trying to control but Radcliffe is having none of it.

Zimmerman looking for a guillotine from mount but Radcliffe is having none of it.
Radcliffe is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Zimmerman jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Radcliffe is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Radcliffe and Zimmerman has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Zimmerman tries to advance position but instead Radcliffe slips a leg back in to half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman wants to work for an arm triangle but Radcliffe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Radcliffe has one foot on Zimmerman's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Eric Zimmerman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zimmerman slips a jab and a cross from Radcliffe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Radcliffe looks to land a combination but Zimmerman avoids it well.
Radcliffe throws a nice looking combination but Zimmerman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Radcliffe throws an overhand right that lands on Zimmerman's shoulder, as Zimmerman tries to avoid the shot.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Radcliffe but Radcliffe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Radcliffe misses with a few strikes there.
Radcliffe looks to land a right hand but Zimmerman moved out of range.
Radcliffe throws a hook to the side of Zimmerman's head but Zimmerman sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Radcliffe throws a nice looking combination but Zimmerman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Radcliffe misses with the combination.
Zimmerman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Radcliffe pinned against the cage. Radcliffe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Eric Zimmerman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eric Zimmerman's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zimmerman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Radcliffe misses with a hook. Zimmerman ducked under it nicely.
Radcliffe throws a nice looking combination but Zimmerman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Radcliffe stuffs the takedown attempt from Zimmerman. Zimmerman gets slowly back to his feet.
Radcliffe misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zimmerman scores with a takedown into Radcliffe's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zimmerman wants to control from the top but Radcliffe keeps moving.
Radcliffe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zimmerman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radcliffe keeping full guard, as Zimmerman tries to pass.

Zimmerman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zimmerman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Radcliffe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zimmerman is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zimmerman passes Radcliffe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zimmerman trying to control the pace.
Zimmerman moves into full mount! Radcliffe won't be happy about that!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zimmerman throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Radcliffe because Zimmerman loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radcliffe is controlling an arm, preventing Zimmerman from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Zimmerman throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Zimmerman goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Radcliffe turns into him and now he's in Zimmerman's guard.
Zimmerman is trying to keep Radcliffe in close.
Radcliffe wants to stand but Zimmerman has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zimmerman throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Zimmerman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Radcliffe preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Zimmerman clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Eric Zimmerman's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zimmerman shoots in for a double leg but Radcliffe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Radcliffe looks to land a combination but Zimmerman avoids it well.
Radcliffe misses with a series of wild punches.
Radcliffe is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Radcliffe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zimmerman.
Zimmerman shoots in looking for a takedown. Radcliffe tries to sprawl out of it but Zimmerman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Radcliffe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Radcliffe throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Radcliffe misses with a wild combination.
Zimmerman defending well as Radcliffe loads up on a big left hand.
Zimmerman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Radcliffe pinned against the cage. Radcliffe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radcliffe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Zimmerman fails to land the takedown.
Zimmerman ducks under a wild hook from Radcliffe.

Zimmerman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zimmerman is just content to waste time from the top position. Radcliffe takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Zimmerman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radcliffe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zimmerman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Radcliffe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zimmerman trying to control the position from guard on top but Radcliffe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zimmerman tries to free his leg and advance position but Radcliffe is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Radcliffe pushes Zimmerman off and gets back to his feet.
Radcliffe misses the shot to the body.
Zimmerman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Radcliffe throws a nice looking combination but Zimmerman bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Radcliffe throws a series of punches but Zimmerman avoids them all with ease.
Theo Radcliffe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zimmerman fails to land the takedown.
Radcliffe throws a series of punches but Zimmerman moves out of range.

Radcliffe gets caught flat footed, as Zimmerman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman stops Radcliffe from standing up.
Radcliffe keeping moving, preventing Zimmerman from controlling successfully.
Zimmerman tries to free his leg and advance position but Radcliffe is retaining full guard.
Zimmerman passes into half guard.

Zimmerman is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Radcliffe has managed to free his arm - good work.
Radcliffe is trying to stand up here but Zimmerman is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Eric Zimmerman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eric Zimmerman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zimmerman slips a jab from Radcliffe.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Radcliffe but Radcliffe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Radcliffe scores with a hook to the body. Zimmerman takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Radcliffe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Radcliffe throws a right and a left that Zimmerman avoids nicely.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Radcliffe but Radcliffe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Radcliffe lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Radcliffe misses with a jab, cross combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Zimmerman pushes Radcliffe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zimmerman misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radcliffe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zimmerman throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Radcliffe blocks it with crossed arms.
Radcliffe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zimmerman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zimmerman has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Radcliffe avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Radcliffe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Radcliffe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zimmerman tries to stall but Radcliffe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Radcliffe gets underhooks to prevent Zimmerman's takedown attempt.
Radcliffe is looking to break free of the clinch but Zimmerman has double underhooks.
Zimmerman goes for a takedown attempt but Radcliffe pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Theo Radcliffe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Zimmerman.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown but Radcliffe shows good takedown defense.
Radcliffe stuffs the takedown attempt from Zimmerman. Zimmerman gets slowly back to his feet.
No joy there for Radcliffe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Radcliffe might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

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.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Radcliffe but Radcliffe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Radcliffe misses the shot to the body.
Radcliffe looks to land a right hand but Zimmerman moved out of range.
Zimmerman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zimmerman tries for a takedown but Radcliffe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A jab from Radcliffe does it's job there.
Zimmerman dodges the punch combination from Radcliffe.
Zimmerman shoots in looking for a takedown. Radcliffe tries to sprawl out of it but Zimmerman keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Radcliffe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Radcliffe scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Theo Radcliffe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Zimmerman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zimmerman slows the pace down in half guard.
Zimmerman frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radcliffe is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Poor strikes thrown by Zimmerman there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Zimmerman wants to control the pace but Radcliffe is squirming around nicely.
Zimmerman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Radcliffe is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Theo Radcliffe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zimmerman has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Zimmerman!
Eric Zimmerman retains his featherweight title!