PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Zapp (ranked 2498 p4p, 2587 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 339 p4p, 346 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zapp
vs
Howlett

185 cm
21
184
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
23
175
5 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Knockout power

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Zapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howlett leaves Zapp with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zapp fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Howlett's coach down at The Forge was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Howlett's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Zapp drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Zapp's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Howlett really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zapp. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Howlett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zapp will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Howlett working a defensive guard here.
Howlett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zapp is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zapp drops back, looking for a kneebar! Howlett looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Howlett looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Howlett!

Zapp tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett is looking to take a break and control but Zapp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Zapp's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Zapp is looking to reverse the position.
Zapp isn't going anywhere.
Zapp is looking to reverse the position.
Zapp is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zapp keeping hold of Howlett's head, controlling as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zapp wants to control but Howlett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zapp is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Zapp slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Howlett being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zapp working a defensive guard here.
Howlett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zapp is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapp manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Howlett manages to get himself to full guard.

Howlett wants to stand but Zapp is controlling the position.
Howlett working a defensive guard here.

Zapp drops back looking for a leg! Howlett is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Howlett manages to kick Zapp off! Zapp jumps back into Howlett's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Howlett can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zapp looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zapp content to stall in guard here.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Howlett manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Zapp is trying to pull guard but Howlett turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Zapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zapp on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zapp is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Howlett gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Howlett stops a takedown attempt from Zapp.
Zapp is trying to pull guard but Howlett has him pressed against the cage.
Howlett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Howlett with a knee to the head.

It looks like Johnny Zapp has been cut.
Howlett is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zapp is defending well for now.
Zapp is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zapp blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zapp drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Howlett gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Zapp's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zapp shoots in and drives through. Howlett sprawls well.

Howlett tries to sprawl but Zapp drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Howlett has one foot on Zapp's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Zapp darts in looking for a takedown but Howlett gets double underhooks and turns Zapp into the cage.
Zapp looks for a takedown but Howlett sprawls well.
Howlett throws out a counter right but Zapp avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Zapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zapp tries to score a power double leg takedown but Howlett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zapp somewhat.
Howlett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zapp.
Good leg kick by Howlett.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapp fails with the takedown.

Howlett clinches up with Zapp and pushes him back against the cage.
Zapp is looking for a takedown.
Zapp managing to block the knees to the body from Howlett.

Zapp jumps into guard, dragging Howlett to the mat.

Zapp looking for a guillotine here but Howlett defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zapp looking to control.

Zapp is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zapp is on top in guard.

Zapp stands and throws Howlett's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Howlett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Zapp tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zapp has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Howlett is trying to maintain the position but Zapp is very close to passing his half guard.
Howlett makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Howlett.
Howlett is trying to control the position but Zapp postures up.
Zapp stands up over Howlett, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Howlett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zapp sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Howlett is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zapp is controlling him.
Zapp wants to pass the guard but Howlett is keeping the position.
Zapp preventing the sweep.
Zapp seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Johnny Zapp overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zapp postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Zapp drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Howlett dives on top into guard.

Howlett wants to control from the top but Zapp keeps moving.
Howlett tries to stand but Zapp is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Howlett throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zapp.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johnny Zapp's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Howlett displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zapp.
Howlett tries to close the distance and clinch but Zapp swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zapp goes for a double leg but Howlett avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Howlett continues to drive forward.
Zapp shoots in but Howlett avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Howlett is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Zapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Howlett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zapp swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Howlett tries to clinch up.
Zapp shoots in for a takedown but Howlett shows good takedown defense.
Howlett throws a push kick but Zapp slaps the foot to one side.
Howlett throws a chopping leg kick but Zapp manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Howlett slaps away a takedown attempt from Zapp, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zapp shoots in for a takedown but Howlett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Howlett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Howlett tries to clinch there but Zapp circles away.

Howlett gets tackled into the cage by Zapp. Zapp maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Howlett throws an elbow but misses.
Howlett lands an elbow just above Zapp 's eye.
Howlett misses with an elbow strike.
Zapp tries to score a body lock takedown but Howlett shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zapp blocks the elbow strike.
Howlett misses with an elbow strike.
Howlett landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zapp is trying to pull guard but Howlett turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Howlett tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zapp avoids it.
Zapp tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Howlett just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zapp drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Howlett gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Howlett stalling in the clinch but Zapp improves position.
Howlett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zapp tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Howlett just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zapp tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Howlett missing with knees to the body.
Howlett comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zapp has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Howlett is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Zapp pulls Howlett into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zapp keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.
Howlett wanted to stand there but Zapp had control of the position.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Zapp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howlett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Howlett trying to control the position from guard on top but Zapp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zapp seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett wants to control from the top but Zapp keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Zapp with a hook.
Zapp tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Howlett swivels and escapes.

Zapp gets a clinch.
Johnny Zapp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zapp lands a left hand that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Howlett content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Howlett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zapp fails to pull guard.
Zapp avoids a wild elbow strike from Howlett.
Howlett gets underhooks to prevent Zapp's takedown attempt.
Howlett scores a nice knee to the body.
Howlett lands an elbow just above Zapp 's eye.
Howlett lands an elbow just above Zapp 's eye.
Zapp is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Howlett pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Howlett putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zapp in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stalling in the clinch from Howlett.
Howlett lands a damaging elbow.
Zapp jumps guard but Howlett stands there with Zapp around his waist. Zapp gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zapp jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Howlett walks away with a smile on his face. Zapp gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnny Zapp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Howlett moves into the clinch successfully.
Howlett tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zapp is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Howlett to keep the fight standing.
Howlett throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zapp tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Howlett just stands there and leans against the cage.
Howlett is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Howlett unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Zapp jumps guard but Howlett turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zapp wants a takedown but no success here.
Zapp misses with a hook from the clinch.
James Howlett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Howlett is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zapp is defending well for now.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howlett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Howlett winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!