PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frank Stallone (ranked 4651 p4p, 388 weight class) and Rich Zaiou (ranked 2183 p4p, 223 weight class). Zaiou has chosen Plug Walk - Rich The Kid as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Stallone
vs
Zaiou

175 cm
26
150 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

169 cm
21
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

King Nutrition
Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Stallone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Zaiou!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zaiou throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stallone tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zaiou is in Stallone's guard.
Stallone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zaiou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zaiou passes Stallone's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Stallone wants to control but Zaiou is keeping busy.
Zaiou has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zaiou lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Zaiou is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Zaiou is pressing down on Stallone's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stallone is holding on for now.
Stallone 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Zaiou there.
Stallone wants to control but Zaiou is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zaiou scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Stallone wants to get back to full guard.
Stallone controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Zaiou seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Zaiou lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zaiou wants to pass the guard but Stallone is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stallone has hold of Zaiou's hands but Zaiou slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zaiou stalling.
Zaiou is thwarting Stallone's attempts to control the position.
Stallone taking some punishment here, with Zaiou in his half guard.
Zaiou prevents Stallone from improving his position.
Stallone trying to control from the bottom.
Zaiou is controlling the pace.
Zaiou looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stallone with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaiou content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Zaiou lands strikes from half guard.
Zaiou working the head and body with strikes.
Zaiou takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zaiou slows the pace down in half guard.
Nice strikes from Zaiou there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stallone on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zaiou landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zaiou looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zaiou is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stallone looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zaiou lands a nice short elbow.
Zaiou moves into full mount! Stallone won't be happy about that!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stallone tries to lock up and control but Zaiou gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zaiou lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zaiou goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Stallone turns into him and now he's in Zaiou's guard.
Stallone preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Zaiou dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zaiou lands a nice shot that snaps Stallone's head back.

Zaiou scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stallone tries to get to full guard but Zaiou has control of the leg.
Zaiou seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Zaiou seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Stallone is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Rich Zaiou!
Rich Zaiou was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.