PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zarko Zidane (ranked 1452 p4p, 175 weight class) and Rafael Galvao (ranked 5823 p4p, 509 weight class). Zidane's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sharp Dressed Man. Galvao comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Kodaline - All I Want kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rafael Galvao told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zidane
vs
Galvao

180 cm
26
192 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

183 cm
34
185 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zarko Zidane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Galvao!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Galvao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zidane counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zidane throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Galvao works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zidane trying to control but Galvao is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Galvao has his foot on Zidane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zidane works his way back into a safe position though.
Galvao being controlled here, momentarily.
Zidane scoring with punches to the head and body.

Galvao is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zidane is aware though and is defending well.
Zidane working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Galvao's head.
Zidane trying to control the position from guard on top but Galvao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zidane distracts Galvao with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Galvao is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zidane defends well.
Zidane postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zidane throws a big elbow that misses.
Zidane working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Galvao keeping full guard, as Zidane tries to pass.
Zidane keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Galvao's head.

Galvao is rocked!

Galvao is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zidane connects with a couple of short punches.

Galvao had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zidane defends it easily.
Zidane is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Galvao is still in real trouble! Can Zidane finish him?
Zidane trying to control the position from guard on top but Galvao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Galvao seems to have recovered his senses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zidane accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zidane stands and throws Galvao's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Galvao is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zidane working the ground and pound from side control.
Galvao tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Galvao is not content to let Zidane control the position.
Zidane is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
You can see the frustration on Galvao's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zidane happy to just control the position for now.
Zidane scoring with punches from side control.
Galvao tries to buck Zidane off but Zidane is having none of it.
Zidane working the body and head with strikes.
Galvao throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galvao tries to buck Zidane off but Zidane is having none of it.
Zidane cracks Galvao with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Zidane lands some shots froms side control.
Zidane wants to control but Galvao is keeping him busy.
Zidane crunches a massive hammerfist down on Galvao - he's out! Zidane Holds back on further strikes and jumps to his feet to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Zarko Zidane!
Zarko Zidane decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.