PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Erik Lara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Zappa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lara
vs
Zappa

176 cm
18
161 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

170 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Erik Lara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Zappa!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zappa has managed to clinch.
Zappa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lara blocks it with crossed arms.
Zappa blocks an elbow strike from Lara.
Zappa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zappa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Zappa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zappa closes the distance and clinches.
Lara throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zappa's elbow.
Lara tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zappa smiles and moves away.
Zappa misses with a body shot.
Zappa throws a right and a left that Lara avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Zappa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Zappa moves into the clinch.
Lara lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lara is struggling to control the position.
Lara misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zappa.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Zappa as Lara tries to tie him up.
Lara trying to land knees to the body.

Lara jumps guard and drags Zappa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Zappa makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zappa trying to control but Lara is working from the bottom.
Zappa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lara wants to improve his position but instead Zappa has moved into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara trying to control from the bottom.
Zappa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lara. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zappa is keen to just control but Lara is a slippery customer.
Zappa is controlling the pace.
Lara gets full guard.
Zappa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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

Lara is looking to work some ground and pound but Zappa has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lara gets to his feet - Zappa follows without any prompting.
Zappa throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lara counters with a takedown into side control.

Zappa throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Zappa instigates a clinch.
Lara is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zappa is defending well for now.
Lara looking to throw knees to the head but Zappa is blocking nicely.
Lara jumps guard but Zappa stands there with Lara around his waist. Lara gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zappa falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lara counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zappa blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zappa.

Zappa ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zappa no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Zappa wants to stand up but Lara is controlling him.
Lara postures up.

Zappa is working an open guard so Lara takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Zappa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lara tries to counter with a takedown but Zappa is quick to defend against it.

Zappa forces Lara back against the cage and clinches.
Lara looking to stall.

Zappa breaks the clinch.

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

Frank Zappa 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.

Zappa clinches with his opponent.

Zappa successfully pulls guard.

Zappa has an active guard here but Lara has managed to pass into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lara connects with a nice short shot to Zappa's temple.

Lara is working for a submission of some sort.

Lara is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zappa defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zappa keeping hold of Lara's head, controlling as best he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zappa wants to improve his position but Lara is controlling well.

Lara is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zappa defends it well.

Lara is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lara seems to be working for a kimura but Zappa defends the submission attempt.
Erik Lara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zappa is trying is best to control the position here.

Lara is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Lara is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zappa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zappa is looking to control Lara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zappa avoid being mounted?
Zappa controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Zappa is defending against the submission attempts here by Lara.
Zappa tries to kick Lara off but Lara keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zappa trying to hold on to Lara's head to control him but Lara postures up.
Zappa controlling the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zappa lands a jab-cross combination.
Zappa cracks Lara with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zappa is looking to land body kicks.
Zappa lunges at Lara with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lara's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Zappa is predictable there

and Lara counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zappa won't be happy with that.
Zappa tries to escape but Lara is in control.
Zappa tries to buck Lara off but Lara is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zappa can't do much from the bottom here.
Zappa wants to get back to his feet.
Zappa struggling a bit here.

Lara goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Zappa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lara's guard! Nice work there by Zappa!
Zappa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zappa tries to free his leg and advance position but Lara is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Zappa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zappa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Frank Zappa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lara shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zappa but Zappa pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Zappa darts in and clinches Lara up against the cage.
Zappa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Zappa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Erik Lara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zappa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zappa throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Lara decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zappa's guard.

Zappa working for a triangle but Lara defends it easily.
Zappa trying to keep a closed guard but Lara is proving a slippery customer.
Zappa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zappa trying to control the position here.

Lara decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Zappa swings widly with a right hand

and Lara counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Lara is trying to work for a kimura but Zappa is defending well.
Zappa tries to get to full guard but Lara has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zappa is trying to maintain the position but Lara is very close to passing his half guard.

Lara is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zappa is just riding it out for now. Lara eventually gives up the hold.

Lara is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Zappa is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Erik Lara!