PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bishop Deacon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jones Zica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Deacon comes to the cage accompanied by You Raise me Up by Josh Groban. Zica has chosen Master of Puppets by Metallica as his entrance music. Jones Zica has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Deacon
vs
Zica

173 cm
29
166 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

180 cm
32
162 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bishop Deacon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jones Zica!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deacon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zica takes a jab right on the kisser.
Deacon lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zica throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Deacon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Deacon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zica tries to clinch there but Deacon circles away.
Deacon throws a hook but Zica avoids it easily.
Deacon throws a hook but Zica blocks it.
Deacon moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Jones Zica has been cut.
Deacon moves away from the strike by Zica.
Zica misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Deacon.
Zica feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Deacons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zica takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Deacon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Deacon blocks a jab.
Zica pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Deacon listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zica throws a series of punches but Deacon moves out of range.
Zica tries to clinch but Deacon moves out of range.
Zica takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zica misses with an uppercut. Deacon saw that one coming.
Deacon throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Zica misses.
Zica throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Zica misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Deacon is defended easily by Zica.
Zica tries to close the distance and clinch but Deacon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Deacon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Zica clinches with his opponent.
Deacon tries to pull guard but Zica holds him up against the cage and eventually Deacon drops back down to his feet.
Deacon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Deacon.
Deacon is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zica pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Deacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zica lands a body shot.
Deacon's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Deacon is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The referee calls for Deacon to work.
Deacon is trying to pull guard but Zica has him pressed against the cage.
Deacon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zica's elbow.
Zica swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zica's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zica swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Deacon drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zica pulls his leg out and moves away.
Deacon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deacon misses with a low kick as Zica jumps back.

Deacon clinches up against the cage.
Deacon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Deacon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Zica is pressed up against the cage. Deacon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zica down to the mat. Zica avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jones Zica is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zica moves out of range of the leg kick from Deacon.
Deacon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Deacon tries to clinch there but Zica circles away.
Zica defending well as Deacon loads up on a big left hand.
Zica takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Deacon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zica trying to control but Deacon postures up.
Well, if Deacon 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deacon sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zica defending well though.
Deacon slows the pace down in half guard.
Deacon trying to control from Zica's half guard. Zica has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Deacon throws an elbow that misses. Zica uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Deacon's guard. Nice move by Zica!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Deacon managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Deacon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jones Zica's cut.
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.

Zica throws a series of punches but Deacon moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Zica.
Deacon feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Zicas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zica wants to slow Deacon down by chopping away at his legs.
Zica swings for the body but Deacon moves out of range.
Deacon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zica sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Deacon closes the distance and pushes Zica back into the cage.

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

Deacon tries to keep at a distance but Zica has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zica throws a punch but it's blocked by Deacon.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zica.
Zica lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zica effectively controlling the action here.
Deacon jumps guard but Zica turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zica working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deacon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zica after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bishop Deacon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zica lands a body shot in the clinch.

Deacon successfully pulls guard.
Zica preventing the sweep.
Deacon can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zica controls the pace.

Deacon looking for a guillotine here but Zica defends easily.

Deacon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zica is aware though and is defending well.
Deacon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zica.
Zica must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Deacon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Deacon looking for a sweep. Not yet Deacon, not yet.
Zica stays in close to Deacon's body and controls the position.
Deacon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zica trying to stand up but can't free himself from Deacon's guard.

Deacon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zica is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deacon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Zica passes into side control.
Deacon isn't going anywhere.
Zica has control of an arm but Deacon manages to advance to Zica's back!
Zica avoids the strikes from Deacon.
Deacon misses with a punch to the head.
Zica holding both Deacon 's hands and preventing any damage.
Zica is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Deacon off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deacon lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zica is taking damage to the body and head.

Deacon is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Zica is defending well though. Deacon let's go of the attempt for now.
Zica is trying to remain composed but Deacon is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bishop Deacon dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jones Zica's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Deacon lands with a good body shot.
Deacon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Deacon throws a poor cross that misses
letting Zica counter with a right hand.
Zica misses with a body shot.
Deacon on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zica.
Zica lands the left hand.
Deacon misses with an uppercut
and Zica counters with a two punch combo.
Deacon throws a head kick but Zica moves out of range.
Deacon will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zica darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zica fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Deacon manages to avoid it.
Deacon on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Deacon, as that shot connected.
Zica throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zica misses with an uppercut.
Deacon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zica checks a low kick from Deacon.
Zica throws a jab but it's blocked by Deacon.
Good exchange - Zica coming out on top.
Zica works Deacon's body with a nice hook.
Zica uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Deacon.
Zica swinging wildly here.
A big right from Deacon misses.
Deacon throws a body punch but Zica moves out of range.
Zica jabs Deacon to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bishop Deacon is winning the standup battle so far.
Zica throws an overhand right that lands on Deacon's shoulder, as Deacon tries to avoid the shot.
A big right from Zica misses.
Zica is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zica fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Deacon looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Deacon slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deacon connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Deacon throws a combination that misses
and Zica cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Deacon explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zica lands a body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Deacon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zica.
Deacon misses with a looping right.
Zica slips a jab from Deacon.
Deacon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zica takes a swing at Deacon's ribcage but misses.
Zica throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Deacon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Deacon misses with a double jab.
Zica tries to clinch up but Deacon circles away and keeps his distance.
Deacon misses with an uppercut. Zica saw that one coming.
Zica throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zica fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
No luck for Deacon with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zica lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Deacon circles away quickly and effectively.
Zica throws an overhand right that lands on Deacon's shoulder, as Deacon tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Zica misses.
Zica tries to bum rush Deacon with a series of wild strikes but Deacon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Zica gets caught flat footed, as Deacon shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jones Zica has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zica keeping moving, preventing Deacon from controlling successfully.
Bishop Deacon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Deacon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Deacon trying to control the position from guard on top but Zica is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Bishop Deacon wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Zica steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Deacon.
Deacon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zica paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Deacon has closed the distance and engaged Zica in a clinch.
Zica fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zica misses with a punch on the inside.
Zica tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Deacon blocks a body shot from Zica.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zica misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Deacon blocks an uppercut.
Deacon blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jones Zica.
I think Deacon has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bishop Deacon!
After the fight, Bishop Deacon was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.