PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Alvares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Zyb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zyb is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Battle" by Gangstarr. Chris Zyb is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Alvares
vs
Zyb

175 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Alvares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Zyb!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvares goes for a double leg but Zyb avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zyb continues to drive forward.
Alvares is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zyb trying to land knees to the body.

Zyb's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Alvares checks a low kick from Zyb.
Zyb throws a leg kick but Alvares sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zyb throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zyb throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alvares throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zyb throws a sloppy head kick and Alvares moves out of range easily.

Alvares scores with a takedown into Zyb's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Alvares thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zyb working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alvares.
Alvares lands a couple of elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zyb can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Alvares controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zyb is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvares postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alvares pushing down on Zyb's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zyb keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Alvares is trying to control. Zyb wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Alvares lands a nice short elbow.
Alvares tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Alvares throwing shots but Zyb is blocking nicely.
Zyb is not content to let Alvares control the position.
Alvares moves into full mount! Zyb won't be happy about that!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvares looking to control and managing it successfully.
Alvares cracks Zyb with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
BOOM! Alvares connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Alvares goes for an armbar but Zyb turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Zyb.
Alvares is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zyb is controlling him.

Alvares is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zyb defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zyb sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zyb wants to control from the top but Alvares keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zyb is fighting to break Alvares's control of his arms but Alvares is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Chris Zyb wasn't active enough on the ground.
Alvares bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zyb's head backwards.
Alvares throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zyb throws a head kick but Alvares moves out of range.
Good shot there by Zyb.
Zyb has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Zyb misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Alvares as he connects with a hook.
Zyb tries a head kick but it misses.
Alvares works Zyb's body with a nice hook.
Alvares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zyb misses with a low kick.
Alvares misses with an uppercut.
A combination from Alvares does no damage.
Alvares checks the leg kick nicely there.
Alvares shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zyb pinned against the cage. Zyb gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Alvares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvares is breathing heavily.
Alvares looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zyb throws a lazy head kick
and Alvares counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Alvares throws a body punch but Zyb moves out of range.
Zyb throws a head kick but Alvares moves out of range.
A punch combination from Alvares misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Alvares dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zyb connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zyb misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zyb looks to land a body kick but Alvares moved away.
Zyb dodges the punch combination from Alvares.
Alvares dives in and grabs Zyb's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zyb pushes down on Alvares's head and hops out.
Zyb just misses with a punch to the body.
Alvares looks to land a combination but Zyb avoids it well.
Alvares moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zyb scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zyb tries a head kick but it misses.
Alvares tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zyb sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alvares somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alvares dodges the punch combination from Zyb.

Alvares closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zyb is looking for a sweep.
Alvares is working Zyb over with some ground and pound from side control.
Alvares works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Alvares cracks Zyb with a big right hand but Zyb just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Alvares is chipping away with strikes.
Alvares with the ground and pound but Zyb regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Alvares stands up and beckons Zyb to join him on the feet.
Jab, jab by Zyb - just one landing.
Alvares fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Alvares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zyb shoots in for a double leg but Alvares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zyb lands with a good body shot.
Alvares tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zyb defends well and Alvares ends up having to push Zyb into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alvares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zyb's efforts to push away.

Alvares lands a takedown into guard.
Zyb working a defensive guard here.
Alvares stands and throws Zyb's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Alvares landing a few strikes.
Alvares misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Alvares working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvares scores with punches from side control.
Zyb tries to improve position but can't.
Zyb takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Alvares is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zyb knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zyb avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Alvares.
Zyb tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zyb wants to control but Alvares postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvares slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Zyb.
Alvares lands a heavy elbow.
Zyb is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Alvares lands a heavy elbow.
Alvares working Zyb over with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alvares scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zyb?
Alvares looking to finish Zyb with some ground and pound. This is bad for Zyb!

Alvares swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Zyb is now in Alvares's guard. A big mistake from Alvares there, giving up the dominant position!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zyb distracts Alvares with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Alvares 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!

Zyb tries to land a body kick
and Alvares counters with a nice body shot.
Alvares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zyb moves away.
Alvares throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zyb.
Zyb throws a head kick that misses.
Alvares shoots for a double leg takedown but Zyb sprawls well. He's pushed Alvares's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alvares is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zyb sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Alvares throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Zyb lands a leg kick that knocks Alvares off balance momentarily.
Alvares throws a series of punches but Zyb avoids them all with ease.
Zyb throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zyb throws a nice head kick!
Zyb feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Alvares's calf.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zyb connects with a solid leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zyb.

Zyb shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alvares punching from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zyb trying to control the action but Alvares is working from the bottom.

Zyb is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Alvares defends it well.
Alvares misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Zyb wants to stand up but Alvares has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Alvares is trying to stand.
Well, if Zyb 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.
Zyb is trying to control the action in half guard but Alvares is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvares striking from the bottom.
Alvares wants to get back to his feet.
Zyb seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Alvares misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Alvares moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zyb stopping the sweep attempt from Alvares.
Alvares wants to stand up but Zyb is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zyb trying to control but Alvares is working from the bottom.
Alvares striking off his back but it's not causing Zyb any problems.
Zyb wants to get up but he can't break Alvares's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alvares is on top in guard.
Alvares throws a big right hand that misses.
Michael Alvares overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alvares is in close to Zyb's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Alvares keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zyb's head.
Alvares works over Zyb with some ground and pound from guard.
Alvares with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvares drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Alvares jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Alvares throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zyb works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alvares trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvares throws a big right hand that misses.
Alvares in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zyb avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Zyb is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alvares is aware though and is defending well.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zyb isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Alvares stacks Zyb on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Alvares!
Chris Zyb has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alvares cracks Zyb with a big right hand but Zyb just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Michael Alvares.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alvares, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Alvares!
A relieved looking Michael Alvares thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Chris Zyb spoke after the fight, saying 'It was an accident...'.