PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robert Pochonkii (ranked 23815 p4p, 4657 weight class) and Jose Carlos Zaragoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pochonkii comes to the cage accompanied by Hail Mary. Robert Pochonkii has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pochonkii
vs
Zaragoza

183 cm
21
150
1 - 1 - 0

165 cm
20
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Robert Pochonkii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jose Carlos Zaragoza!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Ron Honeybunn and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zaragoza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pochonkii drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pochonkii stalling in the clinch but Zaragoza improves position.
Pochonkii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pochonkii really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pochonkii tries to pull guard but Zaragoza won't allow it.
Zaragoza lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pochonkii is trying to maintain a safe position but Zaragoza gets an underhook and turns Pochonkii into the cage.
Pochonkii tries to pull guard but Zaragoza won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Pochonkii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zaragoza prevents a takedown attempt there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zaragoza is trying to trip Pochonkii. He has hold of a leg but Pochonkii is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Zaragoza persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Pochonkii throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Zaragoza lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zaragoza not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Pochonkii will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaragoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Pochonkii is retaining full guard.
Pochonkii can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zaragoza controls the pace.
Pochonkii has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pochonkii tries to strike from the bottom.
Zaragoza must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pochonkii being controlled here, momentarily.
Zaragoza wants to pass the guard but Pochonkii is keeping the position.
Zaragoza stays in close to Pochonkii's body and controls the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Horrible takedown attempt by Pochonkii or perhaps it was just good defense by Zaragoza, which made it look bad.
Zaragoza lands a jab to Pochonkii's midsection.

Pochonkii closes the distance and clinches.

Zaragoza ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zaragoza no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zaragoza keeping full guard, as Pochonkii tries to pass.
Pochonkii wants to stand but Zaragoza is controlling his posture from full guard.
Zaragoza trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaragoza keeping moving, preventing Pochonkii from controlling successfully.
Pochonkii loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zaragoza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pochonkii trying to control but Zaragoza is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zaragoza throws a head kick that misses.

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.

Zaragoza closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pochonkii quickly recovers to half guard.
Zaragoza content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Pochonkii has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Zaragoza is on him like a limpet, forcing Pochonkii back against the cage.
Pochonkii blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pochonkii wants a takedown but no success here.
Pochonkii pressing his opponent against the cage.

Zaragoza gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Pochonkii regains guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaragoza postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pochonkii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zaragoza looking to land some kicks to the body here.
As Zaragoza looks to move away, Pochonkii throws a big counter combo but Zaragoza just gets out of the way.
Pochonkii tries to clinch up.

Zaragoza scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Zaragoza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Pochonkii rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zaragoza's guard! Nice work there by Pochonkii!
Zaragoza working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pochonkii accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zaragoza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pochonkii is pushing down on Zaragoza's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zaragoza is fighting to maintain full guard but Pochonkii has managed to sneak the leg through.
Zaragoza desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pochonkii seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zaragoza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pochonkii thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pochonkii is taking a breather. Zaragoza says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Pochonkii wants to pass the guard but Zaragoza is defending well.
Zaragoza is looking to escape.
Pochonkii wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zaragoza keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zaragoza tries to roll over but Pochonkii keeps him under control.
Pochonkii wants to control but Zaragoza is keeping him busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zaragoza can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zaragoza wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pochonkii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zaragoza sprawls well. Zaragoza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pochonkii gets slowly back to his feet.
Pochonkii displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaragoza throws out the jab.
Pochonkii went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Zaragoza closes the distance and pushes Pochonkii back into the cage.
Pochonkii throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pochonkii tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaragoza just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Pochonkii. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Zaragoza gets a takedown into half guard.
Zaragoza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pochonkii's head.
Zaragoza is thwarting Pochonkii's attempts to control the position.
Pochonkii tries to roll over but Zaragoza keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pochonkii wants to control but Zaragoza is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaragoza thows a huge punch but Pochonkii dodges it nicely.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Pochonkii trying to control here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Pochonkii shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Pochonkii tries to keep at a distance but Zaragoza has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zaragoza tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Carlos Zaragoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Pochonkii. That's going to slow Zaragoza down.

Zaragoza moves into the clinch.
Pochonkii tries to score a body lock takedown but Zaragoza shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Zaragoza successfully pulls guard.
Pochonkii wants to pass the guard but Zaragoza is keeping the position.
Pochonkii is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zaragoza is looking to stand up but Pochonkii isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pochonkii wants to control from the top but Zaragoza keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pochonkii looking to pass the guard.
Zaragoza keeping moving, preventing Pochonkii from controlling successfully.
Pochonkii is fighting to break Zaragoza's control of his arms but Zaragoza is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pochonkii looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No joy there for Pochonkii, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Zaragoza drives through with a takedown into Pochonkii's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaragoza is looking to stand up but Pochonkii won't let him.
Pochonkii tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pochonkii looking to control.
Zaragoza slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zaragoza controls the position from side control.
Pochonkii can't do much from the bottom here.
Zaragoza is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Pochonkii's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaragoza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pochonkii keeps working.
Pochonkii tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jose Carlos Zaragoza has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pochonkii is trying to control Zaragoza's posture but Zaragoza avoids it.
Zaragoza tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zaragoza goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaragoza throws a sloppy head kick and Pochonkii moves out of range easily.
Pochonkii shoots in but no luck this time.
Zaragoza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pochonkii defends it well.
Pochonkii misses with a leg kick
and Zaragoza counters with a left to the body.
Zaragoza dives in for a single leg takedown but Pochonkii sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zaragoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pochonkii slaps away a takedown attempt from Zaragoza, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Pochonkii gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Zaragoza to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Pochonkii wriggles free and stands up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Pochonkii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaragoza has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Carlos Zaragoza!