PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Emiliano Zapata (ranked 5854 p4p, 525 weight class) and Merrill Wilson (ranked 8710 p4p, 0 weight class). Emiliano Zapata has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Zapata
vs
Wilson

183 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 Sydney, Emiliano Zapata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Merrill Wilson!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Ben Hemmingworth and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zapata scores with a three punch combo!
Nice takedown defense from Zapata. No joy for Wilson on that attempt.
Zapata scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Zapata moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Wilson shoots in for a takedown but Zapata shows good takedown defense.
Wilson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zapata swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wilson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zapata is fending him off so far but Wilson persists. Nope, Zapata circles away and we're back to standing.
Emiliano Zapata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merrill Wilson.
Zapata stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zapata wants it to stay on the feet.
Zapata is looking for a counter combo.
Wilson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zapata's waist but Zapata gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wilson off to one side.
Zapata moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zapata closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zapata's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Zapata duly obliges.
Horrible takedown attempt by Wilson or perhaps it was just good defense by Zapata, which made it look bad.
Wilson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zapata.
Zapata throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Wilson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Zapata!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilson is looking to take a break and control but Zapata is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zapata is looking to get back to his feet here but Wilson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Zapata's back.

Wilson looking to break Zapata's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Zapata remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Wilson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Zapata is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Zapata preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Wilson.
Zapata knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wilson on the ground.
Zapata trying to get back to his feet but Wilson is in full control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Wilson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Zapata wants to get back to his feet.

Wilson working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Zapata is doing well to defend. Wilson seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Zapata is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Merrill Wilson!
Merrill Wilson thanked the fans post fight for their support.