PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ice Cube (ranked 4324 p4p, 4277 weight class) and Zag Zag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cube
vs
Zag

177 cm
21
147
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ice Cube!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zag Zag!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zag is defended easily by Cube.
It looked like Cube wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Zag closes the distance and clinches.
Zag tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cube just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cube working aggressively here.
Cube lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zag dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Zag fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ice Cube has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zag Zag.
Cube just leaning against Zag, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zag breaks the clinch.

Zag moves into the clinch successfully.
Cube dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Zag misses with some punches.
Cube dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Zag's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zag tries for a takedown but Cube circles away easily
and Cube counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zag takes one on the button.
Zag tries to clinch there but Cube circles away.
Cube jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zag.
Zag throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zag with a poor takedown
and Cube counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zag is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cube looks to score with a jab to the body but Zag is just out of range.
Zag wants to clinch.

Zag closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cube creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Zag's defenses.
Zag wants to take the fight to the mat but Cube manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cube displaying some good clinch control by pressing Zag up against the cage.
Zag avoids a wild elbow strike from Cube.
Come on Zag - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Cube is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Cube can't find room to land a body shot as Zag controls the action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

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.
Cube avoiding damage.

Zag breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cube. Zag does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zag wants to clinch.
Cube was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Zag moves into range and clinches up with Cube.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zag is working for takedown but Cube is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cube is struggling to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ice Cube dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Zag staying out of range there.
Zag Zag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cube slaps away a takedown attempt from Zag, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cube throws a hook to the side of Zag's head but Zag sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zag fails to land the takedown.
Zag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cube swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zag tries to clinch but Cube is having none of it.
An attempted straight right counter from Cube misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cube defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zag.
Cube appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ice Cube has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zag Zag.
Zag wants to clinch up but Cube keeps it at a distance.
A punch lands to the side of Zag 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zag shoots in for a takedown but Cube shows good takedown defense.
Zag Zag is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zag throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cube scores with a jab.
Cube with a jab.
Nice jab there from Cube.
Zag fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zag tries to clinch up but Cube circles away and keeps his distance.
Cube misses with a body shot.
Zag closes the distance and clinches up with Cube, looking for a takedown. Zag pushes Cube against the cage but Cube circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Cube blocks the low kick.
Cube swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cube stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cube connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A telegraphed right hand from Cube misses the target.
Zag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Zag was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cube fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zag.
Cube swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zag is breathing heavily.
Cube throws a nice looking combination but Zag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cube keeps the fight on the outside.
Zag takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cube throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zag feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zag dodges the punch combination from Cube.
Zag shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cube counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cube is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zag can do to turn this around?
Zag shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cube sprawls well. Cube wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zag gets slowly back to his feet.
Cube is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Cube connects with a right hand. Zag shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cube stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cube wants it to stay on the feet.
Zag tries to close the distance and clinch but Cube swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zag closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Zag walks into a jab.
Cube thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zag fails with the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cube bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zag's head.
Zag shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cube pinned against the cage. Cube gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cube swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ice Cube dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cube works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zag looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cube is fending him off so far but Zag persists. Nope, Cube circles away and we're back to standing.
Zag misses with a kick to the body.
Zag moves out of range of the strikes.
Zag ducks under a wild hook from Cube.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zag moves into the clinch.
Cube is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Zag successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cube wants to stand but Zag has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zag is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zag throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zag missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zag sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Zag not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cube is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zag tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Cube might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zag works his way into full mount!
Zag misses with a head shot.
Zag lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Zag lands a couple of good shots and Cube has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Cube trying to get back to his feet but Zag is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zag has good solid back control here.
Cube trying to get back to his feet but Zag is in full control for now.

That's four 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.
Zag keeps control of the position easily here as Cube tries to buck him off.

Zag is looking for the choke from the back position but Cube is controlling his hands well.

Zag is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Cube has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Cube is trying to stand back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zag working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zag Zag comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cube 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:27
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ice Cube!