PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rousimar Alkofer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Zappman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rousimar Alkofer has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Alkofer
vs
Zappman

190 cm
26
162 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP / Money Exchange!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rousimar Alkofer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zack Zappman!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alkofer misses with a takedown attempt
and Zappman counters with a straight right hand.

Zappman drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Zappman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Alkofer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zappman has managed to get both his arms back between Alkofer's legs - danger averted.

Alkofer looking for a guillotine here but Zappman defends easily.
Zappman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alkofer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zappman wants to control from the top but Alkofer keeps moving.
Alkofer will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zappman controls from within his opponent's guard.
Alkofer really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Alkofer looking for a guillotine here but Zappman defends easily.
Alkofer keeping full guard, as Zappman tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing Zappman from controlling successfully.
Zappman advances to half guard.
Zappman frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Alkofer looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Alkofer is trying to stand back up.

Alkofer is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alkofer breaks Zappman's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Zappman keeping full guard, as Alkofer tries to pass.
Zappman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alkofer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alkofer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Alkofer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zappman is keeping the position for now.
Alkofer preventing the sweep.

That's four 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.

Alkofer is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Alkofer tries to free his leg and advance position but Zappman is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alkofer sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Zappman's guard.
Zappman tries to get to full guard but Alkofer has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zack Zappman will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Alkofer shoots in and gets a takedown into Zappman's guard.
Zappman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alkofer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zappman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alkofer being controlled here momentarily.

Alkofer postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zappman is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alkofer, into his guard.

Alkofer working for a triangle but Zappman defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zappman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing Zappman from controlling successfully.

Zappman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zappman trying to control but Alkofer is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zappman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing Zappman from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Zack Zappman wasn't active enough on the ground.
Alkofer tries for a takedown but Zappman circles away easily

and Zappman counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Alkofer!

Zappman has hold of Alkofer's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Alkofer manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Alkofer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Zappman goes for an armbar but Alkofer turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Alkofer.
Alkofer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zappman is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alkofer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Alkofer has gone for a leg lock! Zappman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Alkofer's 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.

Alkofer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zappman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing Zappman from controlling successfully.
Zappman stays in close to Alkofer's body and controls the position.
Zappman stands and throws Alkofer's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Zack Zappman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zappman is looking to take a break and control but Alkofer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Zappman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zappman fails with the takedown

and Alkofer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Alkofer looking to pass the guard.
Zappman wants to sweep but no luck.
Alkofer looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alkofer thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alkofer wants to pass the guard but Zappman is keeping the position.
Zappman looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zappman keeping full guard, as Alkofer tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Alkofer has gone for a leg lock! Zappman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Alkofer's guard.

Alkofer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zappman defends it easily.

Alkofer has an active guard here but Zappman has managed to pass into half guard.
Zappman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappman not doing much here.

Zappman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alkofer has managed to free his arm - good work.

Alkofer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Zappman is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Alkofer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zappman.
Alkofer manages to get to full guard.

That's four 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.
Zappman is stalling in the full guard.
Zappman trying to control the position from guard on top but Alkofer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zappman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alkofer keeping moving, preventing Zappman from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rousimar Alkofer clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zappman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zappman trying to control but Alkofer is working from the bottom.
Zappman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Alkofer has his feet on Zappman's thighs here. He's pushed Zappman off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Zappman screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rousimar Alkofer!
Rousimar Alkofer is the new lightweight champion!