PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trevor Garcia (ranked 3627 p4p, 412 weight class) and Emiliano Zapata (ranked 4534 p4p, 498 weight class). Garcia kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Guantanamera - Los Paraguayos. Zapata has chosen EINA as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Garcia
vs
Zapata

188 cm
26
194 lbs
4 - 9 - 0

189 cm
31
190 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Trevor Garcia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emiliano Zapata!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zapata.
Zapata has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Garcia is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Garcia tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Garcia has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Garcia there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Trevor Garcia has been cut.
Garcia has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Zapata scores with a sloppy right hand. Garcia should have avoided that one.
Zapata scores with a body shot.
Garcia swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zapata counters with a nice uppercut.
Garcia looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zapata misses the jab.
Garcia misses with a head kick.
Zapata is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Garcia moves into the clinch successfully.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zapata.
Zapata tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Garcia blocks a body shot from Zapata.

Garcia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zapata displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Garcia throws out the jab.
Zapata let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Decent striking displayed by Zapata there.
Zapata connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia scores with the left hand. Zapata knows he should have avoided that one.
Zapata throws a hook but Garcia avoids it easily.
Zapata shoots for a double leg takedown but Garcia sprawls well. He's pushed Zapata's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Garcia tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zapata sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Garcia somewhat.
Trevor Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zapata.
Zapata misses with a looping right.
Zapata fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Garcia manages to avoid it.
Zapata throws a sloppy head kick and Garcia moves out of range easily.
Zapata is looking to land body kicks.
A punch combination from Garcia misses.
Garcia lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapata lands with a nice body punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Garcia, as that shot connected.
Garcia swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And Zapata tries to counter it with a takedown but Garcia pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Zapata lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garcia throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zapata.

Zapata drives through and clinches with Garcia against the cage.
Zapata lands a hook that snaps the head of Garcia backwards.
Zapata keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garcia's efforts to push away.
Zapata is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Garcia is defending well for now.
Garcia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zapata fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Garcia closes the distance looking to clinch
and Zapata counters with a nice low kick that buckles Garcia's knee momentarily.
Garcia lands a nice looking body shot.
Zapata keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Garcia.
A countering left hand to the body from Zapata misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapata delivers a nice body kick.
Garcia checks a leg kick.
It looked like Garcia wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Garcia blocks the body kick.
Garcia swinging wildly here.
Zapata slips a jab from Garcia.
A little jabbing left from Zapata on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Garcia scores with a one two! Zapata had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Garcia misses with a two punch combination.
Garcia throws a looping overhand right but Zapata ducks down to avoid it.
Zapata appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zapata throws a hook but Garcia blocks it.
Garcia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zapata avoids a punch combination nicely.

Zapata closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zapata is nestled in close to Garcia, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zapata wants to pass to mount but Garcia is defending the position.
Garcia is pressing down on Zapata's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zapata stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garcia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Garcia is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zapata tries to free his leg and advance position but Garcia is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Emiliano Zapata will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Trevor Garcia's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zapata uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Garcia.
Garcia misses with a head kick.
Garcia lands a body shot.
Garcia swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zapata counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zapata misses with a wild body shot.
Garcia tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zapata manages to circle out of the way.
Garcia throws a hook but Zapata blocks it.
Zapata with the counter takedown but Garcia avoids it easily.
Garcia is looking to score with low kicks.
Garcia works the jab nicely.
Garcia motions for Zapata to come forward. Garcia throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Trevor Garcia is winning the standup battle so far.
Garcia is looking to clinch but Zapata is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zapata moves away.
Zapata staying out of range there.
Garcia darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zapata pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Garcia scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapata scores with a punch to the head.
Garcia throws a hook but Zapata avoids it easily.
Garcia tries for a takedown but Zapata sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zapata jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Garcia tries to clinch up but Zapata circles away and keeps his distance.
Zapata paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Garcia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garcia does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Garcia throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Garcia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Zapata scores with a takedown into Garcia's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zapata throws a big elbow that misses.
Zapata slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zapata has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Garcia is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zapata's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zapata looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zapata wants to stand up but Garcia is controlling the position.
Garcia wants to get back to his feet.
Zapata lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Zapata wants to pass the guard but Garcia is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zapata looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Zapata is thwarting Garcia's attempts to control the position.
Garcia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zapata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zapata's back!
Garcia lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Zapata can't escape the position.
Emiliano Zapata has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zapata looking very determined here, making life difficult for Garcia.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zapata tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Zapata is looking to get to half guard.
Zapata regains half guard.
Garcia sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zapata defending well though.
Zapata moves into full guard.

Zapata is looking for a triangle here but Garcia uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Garcia trying to control the action but Zapata is working from the bottom.
Zapata tries to improve position but can't.
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 Trevor Garcia will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Trevor Garcia'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. This is the final round!

Garcia works Zapata's body with a nice hook.

Garcia darts in and clinches Zapata up against the cage.
Zapata tries to throw a body punch but Garcia avoids it by throwing Zapata back against the cage.
Zapata lands an elbow inside.
Zapata digs a right hand into Garcia's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Garcia's gas tank.
Zapata misses with a knee to the head.
Garcia wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zapata has him pressed against the cage.
Garcia fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A short left from Zapata.

Trevor Garcia's cut is getting worse.
A short right from Zapata.
Zapata has a couple of punches blocked by Garcia.

Garcia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapata takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zapata tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Garcia defends well and Zapata ends up having to push Garcia into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Garcia shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Zapata eats them both and turns towards Garcia to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
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!
No joy there for Garcia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zapata looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia closes the distance and clinches up with Zapata, looking for a takedown. Garcia pushes Zapata against the cage but Zapata circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Garcia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zapata swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It seemed like Zapata was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zapata jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Garcia uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zapata.
Zapata lands with a good body shot.
Zapata moves out of range as Garcia strikes.
Zapata now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Garcia closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Garcia throws a leg kick but Zapata checks it.

Zapata clinches up with Garcia and pushes him back against the cage.
Zapata is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trevor Garcia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zapata just misses with a elbow thrown towards Garcia's brow.
Zapata lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Zapata.

Zapata breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Garcia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zapata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapata throws a sloppy body shot
and Garcia counters with a series of strikes. Zapata will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapata throws a hook but Garcia blocks it.
Garcia feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Zapata defending well as Garcia loads up on a big left hand.
Zapata scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Garcia cracks a nice hook into Zapata's ribs.
Garcia tries to clinch but Zapata moves out of range.
Garcia shoots in for a takedown but Zapata shows good takedown defense.
Garcia misses with a straight left.
Zapata bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Garcia takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Trevor Garcia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zapata lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Garcia circles away quickly and effectively.

Garcia tries to keep at a distance but Zapata has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zapata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garcia breaks the clinch.
Garcia fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No joy there for Garcia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Garcia with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zapata, right into the meat.
Zapata checks a leg kick.
Zapata darts in looking for a takedown but Garcia gets double underhooks and turns Zapata into the cage.
Garcia slaps away a takedown attempt from Zapata, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick by Zapata misses
enabling Garcia to counter with a crisp jab.
Garcia digs a good body shot into Zapata's ribs.
Zapata swings for the body but Garcia moves out of range.
Garcia throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Zapata.
Garcia throws a series of punches but Zapata avoids them all with ease.
Zapata throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Garcia is looking to counter punch.
Zapata loads up on a big right hand but Garcia slips the punch.
Zapata lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garcia takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jab, jab by Garcia - just one landing.
Garcia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garcia tries to score with a low kick but Zapata moves his leg out of the way.
Zapata lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Garcia misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zapata.
Zapata takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Emiliano Zapata.
I think Zapata 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emiliano Zapata!
A victorious Emiliano Zapata thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.