PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between BIll Serra (ranked 4039 p4p, 3106 weight class) and Max Zeraq (ranked 0 p4p, 392 weight class). Max Zeraq has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Serra
vs
Zeraq

215 cm
25
180
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, BIll Serra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Zeraq !
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Serra shoots in and drives through. Zeraq sprawls well.
Zeraq tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Serra paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Serra fails with a takedown attempt.
Zeraq swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Serra checks a low kick from Zeraq .
A solid leg kick lands there for Serra.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zeraq .
Zeraq tries to clinch but Serra is having none of it.
Serra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BIll Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Serra defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zeraq .
Serra looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zeraq shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Serra as he avoids it easily.

Serra closes the distance and clinches.
Zeraq pushes off an throws an elbow but Serra leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Serra lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Serra breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zeraq throws a head kick but Serra moves out of range.
Serra fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zeraq tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Serra defends well and Zeraq ends up having to push Serra into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zeraq wants to clinch.

Serra instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Serra creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Serra creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeraq is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Serra to keep the fight standing.
Serra unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zeraq lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Serra keeps control of Zeraq as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Serra scores with a shoulder strike.

Serra breaks the clinch.
Zeraq tries to clinch there but Serra circles away.
Serra lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zeraq .
Serra fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Zeraq wants to counter with a clinch but Serra pushes him away.
Serra really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Serra thuds his shin into the meat of Zeraq 's side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serra goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zeraq leaves Serra with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Serra darts in and clinches Zeraq up against the cage.
Serra avoiding damage as Zeraq throws knees to the body.
Serra blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zeraq tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zeraq is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Serra breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serra with a nice calf kick.

Serra clinches up against the cage.
Zeraq looking for a takedown.
Serra utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Serra is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zeraq looks winded!

Serra pulls guard successfully.
Serra has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Serra is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BIll Serra dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Serra changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zeraq tries to avoid it but Serra manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zeraq to the ground. Zeraq escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Serra shoots in for a takedown but Zeraq shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zeraq looks for a takedown but Serra sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Serra.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BIll Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zeraq misses with a takedown attempt - Serra sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Serra throws a nice head kick!

Serra closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Serra has Zeraq pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zeraq manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zeraq tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Serra's elbow.
Serra is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zeraq gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zeraq pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zeraq throws a chopping leg kick but Serra manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Serra forces Zeraq back against the cage and clinches.
Serra changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zeraq fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zeraq changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Serra tries to avoid it but Zeraq manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Serra to the ground. Serra escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
BIll Serra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Serra moves into the clinch successfully.
Zeraq swings wildly with an uppercut but Serra uses good head movement to avoid it.
BIll Serra has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Serra ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Serra no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Serra lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serra is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Serra stands up from Zeraq 's guard - Serra perhaps looking for a knockout.
Serra dives in for a single leg takedown but Zeraq sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Serra scores with a head kick.
Serra shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zeraq looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zeraq looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Serra swats away the attempt to clinch by Zeraq .
Serra dives in and grabs Zeraq 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zeraq pushes down on Serra's head and hops out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeraq shoots in and drives through. Serra sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeraq tries to score a power double leg takedown but Serra sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zeraq somewhat.
Serra shoots for a double leg takedown but Zeraq sprawls well. He's pushed Serra's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Zeraq works over Serra's head and body with a nice combination.
Serra looks to land a combination. Zeraq sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Serra fails with a takedown attempt.
Zeraq tries to close the distance and clinch but Serra swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Serra goes for a double leg but Zeraq avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zeraq continues to drive forward.

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

Serra has one foot on Zeraq 's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Serra clinches up with Zeraq and pushes him back against the cage.

Serra ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Serra no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Serra seems keen to control Zeraq 's posture.
Zeraq must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Serra is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Serra has Zeraq pulled in close to control his posture.
BIll Serra overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zeraq throws a strike but Serra rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BIll Serra dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Serra instigates a clinch.
Zeraq looking to stall.
Zeraq drops down looking for an ankle pick but Serra pulls his leg out and moves away.

Serra clinches.
Zeraq tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Serra just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Serra manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Serra is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zeraq wants to control from the top but Serra keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeraq trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Serra bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zeraq 's guard.

Serra drops back looking for a leg! Zeraq is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zeraq manages to kick Serra off! Serra jumps back into Zeraq 's guard.

Serra thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Serra engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Serra pushing down on Zeraq 's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Serra in particular looking to stall.

Serra gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Serra shoots in looking for a takedown but Zeraq manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Serra's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Serra is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zeraq can do to turn this around?
Zeraq closes the distance and clinches up with Serra, looking for a takedown. Zeraq pushes Serra against the cage but Serra circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
BIll Serra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Zeraq .
Serra shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zeraq as he avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeraq wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zeraq drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zeraq is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Serra lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Zeraq looking to slow down the pace here.

Serra breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Serra clinches with his opponent.
Zeraq is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Serra to keep the fight standing.
Zeraq stops a takedown attempt from Serra.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Serra tries for a takedown but Zeraq manages to get underhooks.

Serra manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
BIll Serra showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Serra 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BIll Serra!