PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ben Hubbard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ellit Zion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ellit Zion will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hubbard
vs
Zion

175 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Hubbard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ellit Zion!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zion tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hubbard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zion somewhat.

Hubbard decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hubbard not doing much here.
Zion really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hubbard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hubbard is looking for a kimura but Zion is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hubbard to get the leverage.
Hubbard working over Zion with some ground and pound. Zion looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hubbard frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hubbard controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hubbard scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hubbard controlling the pace for now.
Hubbard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Hubbard has hold of Zion's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Zion manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hubbard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hubbard landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard content just to control the position here.

Hubbard looking for a guillotine from mount but Zion is having none of it.
Hubbard avoids the attempt from Zion to control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hubbard cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hubbard is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Zion can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Hubbard with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard controlling the pace for now.
Hubbard's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hubbard lands a big shot there that rocks Zion but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hubbard content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hubbard working for a submission but Zion is keeping him at bay.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zion takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Zion is in a horrible position here. Hubbard smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hubbard has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Zion's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hubbard controlling the position easily from mount.

Hubbard looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Hubbard dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hubbard keeps the fight on the outside.
Hubbard scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Ellit Zion has been cut.
Ben Hubbard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hubbard swinging wildly here.

Hubbard feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hubbard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hubbard has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hubbard landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hubbard thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hubbard tries to stand but Zion is controlling from the bottom.
Hubbard engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hubbard seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zion for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hubbard passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard wants to stand but Zion has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Hubbard is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Zion!
Zion is in a horrible position here. Hubbard smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hubbard landing shots from mount.
Hubbard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hubbard with the ground and pound from mount.
Hubbard lands a big shot there that rocks Zion but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hubbard lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Hubbard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hubbard lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hubbard controlling the pace for now.

Hubbard is working for a guillotine from mount but Zion frees his head quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zion wants to control but Hubbard is having none of it.
Hubbard controlling from the full mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hubbard working for a submission but Zion is keeping him at bay.
Hubbard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zion can do to turn this around?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hubbard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Hubbard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ellit Zion's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

Zion doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hubbard counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hubbard advances position into side control!
Hubbard controls the position.
Zion is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Hubbard is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Hubbard controlling the position easily from mount.

Hubbard is working for a guillotine from mount but Zion frees his head quite easily.
Hubbard is looking to stand but Hubbard has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hubbard controlling the position easily from mount.

Hubbard with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Hubbard unloading with bombs!
Hubbard connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hubbard content just to control the position here.
Hubbard landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hubbard postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Zion looks a forlorn figure.

Hubbard wants to finish this one by submission but Zion is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hubbard.
Hubbard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hubbard is landing with some decent strikes but Zion is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hubbard controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard scoring with strikes but Zion is staying in there.
Hubbard controlling his opponent.
Hubbard landing strikes from the mount.
Hubbard landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hubbard lands a nice shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hubbard controlling from the full mount.

Hubbard is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Zion to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Zion shrugs it off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hubbard landing shots from mount.
Ellit Zion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Hubbard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hubbard lands with some strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Hubbard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hubbard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:24
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:24
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Hubbard!