PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Corey Hampton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Zeus (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.

Hampton
vs
Zeus

191 cm
25
290 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Merciless Gladiators
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Corey Hampton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Christopher Zeus!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeus pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeus shoots in looking for a takedown but Hampton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zeus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zeus shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hampton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Christopher Zeus has been cut.
Zeus darts in looking for a takedown but Hampton gets double underhooks and turns Zeus into the cage.
Corey Hampton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christopher Zeus.
Zeus looking to slow down the pace here.

Hampton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zeus is looking to clinch.
Zeus misses with a wild body shot.
Zeus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hampton.
Hampton misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hampton stuffs the takedown attempt from Zeus. Zeus gets slowly back to his feet.
A combination from Zeus does no damage.
A head kick misses from Zeus.
Zeus shoots in looking for a takedown. Hampton tries to sprawl out of it but Zeus keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hampton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zeus goes for a double leg but Hampton avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hampton continues to drive forward.
Zeus wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zeus has Hampton pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zeus can't break the clinch.
Zeus misses with some punches.
Zeus wants a takedown but no success here.
Hampton can't get the takedown.
Zeus tries to pull guard but Hampton forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zeus holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zeus has Hampton pressed against the cage, preventing Hampton from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus tries to score a body lock takedown but Hampton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Hampton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zeus tries a head kick but it misses.
Zeus shoots in but Hampton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice sprawl there from Hampton as Zeus shoots in.
Zeus closes the distance and clinches up with Hampton, looking for a takedown. Zeus pushes Hampton against the cage but Hampton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zeus tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Hampton counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Hampton is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hampton keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zeus is looking to improve his position.

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

Hampton is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Zeus still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Zeus has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zeus is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hampton is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Hampton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Christopher Zeus's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zeus wants to clinch up but Hampton keeps it at a distance.
Zeus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zeus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hampton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hampton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zeus displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hampton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hampton slaps away a takedown attempt from Zeus, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zeus shoots in for a double leg but Hampton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hampton keeps the fight on the outside.
Hampton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zeus sprawls well. Zeus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hampton gets slowly back to his feet.
Zeus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zeus shoots in for a double leg but Hampton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Corey Hampton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christopher Zeus.
A low kick from Zeus is predictable there

and Hampton counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zeus's guard now.
Zeus wants to sweep here but Hampton controlling him for the moment.
Hampton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zeus trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hampton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zeus keeping full guard, as Hampton tries to pass.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hampton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Zeus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Zeus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Zeus!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hampton is not content to let Zeus control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hampton tries to escape but Zeus is in control.
Hampton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hampton manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zeus's best efforts.
Zeus wants to control but Hampton is keeping him busy.
Hampton is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hampton wants to stand back up but Zeus manages to pass into side control.
The ground and pound from Zeus seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zeus misses with the ground and pound.
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 Corey Hampton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Christopher Zeus'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Zeus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hampton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zeus somewhat.
Christopher Zeus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zeus looks for a takedown but Hampton sprawls well.
Hampton lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zeus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Corey Hampton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christopher Zeus.
Zeus fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zeus dives in for a single leg takedown but Hampton sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeus tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zeus is trying to pull guard but Hampton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zeus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zeus drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hampton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zeus with a poor takedown

and Hampton counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Zeus!
Corey Hampton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hampton in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hampton tries to move to mount but Zeus blocks the move with his legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hampton has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Zeus!

Hampton working for a submission but Zeus is keeping him at bay.

Hampton has control of Zeus's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Zeus regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hampton jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Zeus manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Hampton goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Zeus has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hampton but great work by Zeus.
Hampton is not content to let Zeus control the position.
Hampton tries to buck Zeus off but Zeus is having none of it.
Hampton on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hampton tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus trying to control the action but Hampton is working from the bottom.
Hampton is looking to regain half guard here but Zeus keeps moving and retains side control.

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.
Zeus wants to stand but Hampton has his arm trapped.
Zeus tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hampton is not content to let Zeus control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corey Hampton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hampton, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Corey Hampton!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Corey Hampton!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Corey Hampton!

Corey Hampton wins by unanimous decision!