PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Reed (ranked 927 p4p, 464 weight class) and Darwin Zambrano (ranked 136 p4p, 66 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Reed
vs
Zambrano

200 cm
40
198
28 - 20 - 3

185 cm
31
185
16 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Stoner's Killer Apparel

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

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 28 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Reed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Darwin Zambrano!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zambrano misses with a body kick.
Reed has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Crapollas Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Ben Reed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reed avoids the body shot from Zambrano.
Zambrano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zambrano takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Reed misses with a looping right.
Reed works the jab nicely.
Zambrano on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Zambrano walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Reed looks to throw a body kick
and Zambrano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Reed throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zambrano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zambrano ducks under a wild hook from Reed.
Zambrano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zambrano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zambrano tries to bum rush Reed with a series of wild strikes but Reed uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reed throws a poor cross that misses
and Zambrano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambrano throws a sloppy head kick and Reed moves out of range easily.
Reed throws a looping overhand right but Zambrano ducks down to avoid it.
Zambrano takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Reed misses with a looping left.
Zambrano walks into a straight right hand from Reed.

It looks like Darwin Zambrano has been cut.
Ben Reed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A low kick lands for Reed.
Reed throws a push kick but Zambrano slaps the foot to one side.
Reed is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Reed keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reed works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Reed. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Reed.
Reed with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reed misses with a head kick.
Reed connects with the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reed lands with a hook. Zambrano tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Reed misses with an uppercut
and Zambrano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zambrano walks forward, straight into a front kick from Reed.
Reed ducks under a wild hook from Zambrano.
Reed blocks a head kick by Zambrano.
Reed is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Reed misses with a head kick.
Reed throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zambrano.
Zambrano throws a sloppy head kick
and Reed counters with a nice uppercut.
Reed tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zambrano doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Zambrano looks to land a right hand but Reed moved out of range.
Reed lands with a nice body punch.
Reed really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reed lands with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zambrano connects with a jab.
Reed throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zambrano on the side of the head.
Reed doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zambrano blocks a head kick by Reed.
Zambrano slips a straight right by Reed.
A big right from Reed misses.
Zambrano defending well as Reed loads up on a big left hand.
Zambrano throws a head kick that misses.
Zambrano catches Reed with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zambrano on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Reed throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Zambrano counters with a low kick, right behind Reed 's knee.
Reed fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zambrano checks it well.
Reed takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Reed misses the target.
Zambrano tries to counter by closing the distance.
Zambrano looks for a takedown but Reed sprawls well.
Reed is looking to counter with a body kick.
Reed connects with the punch.
Reed lands with a nice body kick.
Zambrano has his takedown stuffed
and Reed cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zambrano misses with a wild combination.
Zambrano scores with a punch to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Reed dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darwin Zambrano's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Reed tries to land a front kick but Zambrano steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zambrano swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Reed plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Reed looks to throw the jab but Zambrano is out of range.
Reed is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zambrano can do to turn this around?
Zambrano lands a nice looking body shot.
Reed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zambrano manages to avoid it.
Reed listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zambrano slips a jab from Reed.
Reed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zambrano manages to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Reed darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zambrano looks to land a combination but Reed avoids it well.
Reed uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A head kick misses from Reed.
Zambrano ducks under a wild hook from Reed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed connects with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Reed.
Zambrano throws out a counter right but Reed avoids it with no problem.
Reed looks to land a left hand but Zambrano moved out of range nicely.
Reed throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reed swings for the body but Zambrano moves out of range.
Zambrano avoids the body shot from Reed.
Reed fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zambrano.
Ben Reed is winning the standup battle so far.
Reed scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zambrano doesn't seem bothered though.
Reed throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zambrano scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zambrano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Reed lands with a straight right. Zambrano didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zambrano closes the distance and clinches.
Reed lands a hook that snaps the head of Zambrano backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zambrano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zambrano throws a punch but it's blocked by Reed.
Zambrano misses with a body punch.
Reed swings wildly with an uppercut but Zambrano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reed misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zambrano is trying to pull guard but Reed has him pressed against the cage.
Zambrano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Reed wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reed lands a nice uppercut.
Reed lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zambrano backwards.
Zambrano misses with a body punch.
Zambrano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zambrano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Reed has a couple of punches blocked by Zambrano.
Zambrano has a couple of punches blocked by Reed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reed is trying to break free.
Zambrano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zambrano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Reed wants to get back to striking at distance but Zambrano won't allow it.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reed is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Reed pushes Zambrano back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zambrano tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Reed smiles and moves away.
Ben Reed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin Zambrano.
Zambrano sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Reed with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zambrano has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Reed.
Nice sprawl there from Reed as Zambrano shoots in.
An attempted straight right counter from Reed misses the target.
Reed looks to score with a jab to the body but Zambrano is just out of range.
Reed connects with a jab.
Reed scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Reed. No joy for Zambrano on that attempt.
Zambrano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zambrano throws a head kick that misses
and Reed counters with a low kick, right behind Zambrano 's knee.
Reed with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zambrano takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reed throws a jab but it's blocked by Zambrano.
Zambrano uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reed.
Reed loads up on a big right hand but Zambrano slips the punch.
Reed sets himself, and Zambrano steps forward looking for the clinch! Reed avoids it this time.
Reed takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zambrano goes for a double leg but Reed avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Reed continues to drive forward.
Zambrano tries to move into range but Reed moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Reed lands with an uppercut that bounces Zambrano off the cage and back into range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Reed dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darwin Zambrano's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Zambrano.
Zambrano on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Reed lands a nice looking body shot.
Zambrano punishes Reed's body with a nice straight punch.
Reed avoids the body shot from Zambrano.
Reed scores with the left hand. Zambrano knows he should have avoided that one.
Reed fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zambrano takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zambrano fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Reed checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zambrano moves out of range as Reed throws a body kick.
Zambrano steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Reed.
Reed is looking to land body kicks.
Zambrano follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Reed thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zambrano looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Reed misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zambrano.
Zambrano throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Zambrano.
Reed works the jab nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Zambrano.
Zambrano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reed lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A low kick lands for Reed.
Reed throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zambrano steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Reed. That one must have hurt.
Reed lands a nice shot that snaps Zambrano's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambrano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Reed misses with a straight right.
Zambrano looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Zambrano feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Zambrano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zambrano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zambrano tries to free his leg and advance position but Reed is retaining full guard.
Zambrano passes into half guard.
Reed is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Zambrano seems to be working for a kimura but Reed defends the submission attempt.
Reed is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Zambrano missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Darwin Zambrano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zambrano is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Reed moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Reed working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zambrano.
Reed is trying to keep Zambrano in close.
Zambrano throwing strikes but missing.
Reed wants to stand but Zambrano is controlling the position.
Zambrano wants to control from the top but Reed keeps moving.
Reed is looking to stand up but Zambrano isn't so interested in that idea.
My spies in Hare of the Dog Gym inform me that Zambrano has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Zambrano with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zambrano trying to control the position from guard on top but Reed is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Zambrano throwing strikes but missing.
Reed is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Reed will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zambrano looking to pass the guard.
Reed has Zambrano pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A head kick by Zambrano misses
and Zambrano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zambrano lands a jab to Reed's midsection.
Zambrano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Reed bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Reed paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zambrano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reed moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Reed showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reed, 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Reed!