PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alpha Elit (ranked 3976 p4p, 3365 weight class) and Big Zhang (ranked 179 p4p, 157 weight class). Zhang has chosen Xue Hua Piao Piao as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Elit
vs
Zhang

150 cm
25
300
2 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
280
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alpha Elit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Big Zhang!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elit leaves Zhang with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zhang shoots in but Elit avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zhang finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Elit tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zhang manages to circle out of the way.
Some wild striking there from Zhang.
Zhang feints a jab promting Elit to slip. Zhang then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Elit slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Alpha Elit has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang tries for a takedown but Elit sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Alpha Elit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Zhang.

Zhang throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Elit was covering up waiting for the punch and Zhang finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Zhang gets to his feet. Elit looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Zhang.
Zhang misses with a series of wild punches.
Zhang goes for a double leg but Elit avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Elit continues to drive forward.

Zhang shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Elit napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Elit is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Elit is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhang prevents Elit from escaping the position.
The referee asks Zhang politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Zhang prefers to stall for the moment though.

Zhang is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Elit knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Elit is trying to escape the position but Zhang is controlling the position.
Elit on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Elit tries to bench press Zhang off him but Zhang keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang in side control lands a decent elbow.

Zhang is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Elit has escaped the position, nice work there.
Elit knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zhang on the ground.

Zhang stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A combination from Zhang does no damage.
Zhang misses with a few strikes there.
Elit seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zhang misses with an uppercut

and Elit holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Elit looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Zhang blocks a body shot from Elit.
Elit struggles to land a body shot inside as Zhang controls his hands.
Elit misses with a punch to the body.
Elit throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elit scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Elit lands an uppercut.
Elit misses with a body punch.
Zhang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Elit smiles and moves away.
Zhang has a takedown stuffed.
Zhang thows a left - swing and a miss!
Elit seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zhang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhang throws a sloppy head kick

and Elit counters by clinching up.
Zhang looks winded!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Elit tries a body shot but Zhang blocks it.
Zhang is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zhang has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Elit scores with a shot to the side of Zhang's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Big Zhang dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alpha Elit's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zhang throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Elit tries to counter by clinching up but Zhang breaks away and moves out of range.
Zhang rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elit moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zhang throws a hook but Elit blocks it.
Zhang shoots in but no luck this time.
Elit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zhang.
Zhang looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alpha Elit is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zhang.
Alpha Elit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Zhang.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang throws a series of punches but Elit avoids them all with ease.
Elit tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zhang manages to circle out of the way.
Zhang is breathing heavily.
Zhang misses with a hook. Elit ducked under it nicely.
Elit is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zhang.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhang misses with a wild combination.
Elit is looking to counter the offense by Zhang and move into the clinch.
Zhang misses with a two punch combination.
Elit is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zhang.
Zhang dives in for a single leg takedown but Elit sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Elit is looking to counter the offense by Zhang and move into the clinch.
Zhang fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Elit keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Elit is looking to counter the offense by Zhang and move into the clinch.
Zhang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Elit tries to counter by clinching up but Zhang breaks away and moves out of range.
Zhang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Elit circles away.
Zhang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Elit keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zhang.
As Zhang tries to get set, Elit tries to push him back and clinch up but Zhang manages to avoid the attempt.
Elit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zhang.

Zhang shoots in and gets a takedown into Elit's guard.
Elit is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Elit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Elit might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zhang won't allow Elit to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elit is looking to stand up but Zhang isn't so interested in that idea.
Zhang seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Big Zhang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zhang fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Zhang tries to get set, Elit tries to push him back and clinch up but Zhang manages to avoid the attempt.
Zhang throws a nice looking combination but Elit bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Elit leaves Zhang with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Elit wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Zhang tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Elit defends well and Zhang ends up having to push Elit into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

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.
Zhang swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Elit seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zhang throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Elit moves away from the strike by Zhang.
Elit tries to counter by clinching up but Zhang breaks away and moves out of range.
Zhang throws a body shot but no joy.
Zhang tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elit swivels and escapes.
Elit slaps away a takedown attempt from Zhang, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Alpha Elit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhang looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhang throws a wild body kick that Elit sees coming a mile off.
Elit is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zhang.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Big Zhang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alpha Elit's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zhang throws a series of punches but Elit avoids them all with ease.
Zhang shoots in but no luck this time.
Zhang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Elit circles away.
Elit wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Zhang takes a swing at Elit's ribcage but misses.

Zhang drives through and clinches with Elit against the cage.
Elit lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Elit digs a right hand into Zhang's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zhang's gas tank.
Elit digs a right hand into Zhang's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zhang's gas tank.
Elit misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elit lands a body punch.
Zhang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Elit throws a head punch that misses.
Zhang prevents a body shot from Elit.
Zhang is looking to break free of the clinch but Elit has double underhooks.
Elit trying to stall but Zhang improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elit misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zhang prevents a body shot from Elit.
A right hand to the body from Elit.
Good body shot from Elit.
Elit misses with the head strike.
Elit lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zhang backwards.
Elit misses with a body punch.
Zhang blocking some punches.
Zhang blocks an uppercut.
Elit struggles to land a body shot inside as Zhang controls his hands.
Elit misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Elit.
Elit avoiding damage.
A short right from Elit.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zhang.
Elit tries to work over Zhang's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhang blocks a body shot from Elit.
Elit is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Zhang is keeping busy.
Zhang is trying to push Elit away but Elit has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Elit can't find room to land a body shot as Zhang controls the action.
Zhang can't find room to land a body shot as Elit controls the action.
Zhang blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Elit fails to land.
Elit working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zhang tries to break the clinch but Elit is controlling the position.
Elit lands with a light punch inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhang working hard to break the clinch.
Elit misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zhang.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Elit.

Zhang breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang misses with an uppercut.
Zhang scores with a one two! Elit had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Zhang darts in looking for a takedown but Elit gets double underhooks and turns Zhang into the cage.
Alpha Elit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Zhang.
Elit displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhang throws out the jab.
Zhang misses with a looping right.
Elit tries to counter by clinching up but Zhang breaks away and moves out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Zhang or perhaps it was just good defense by Elit, which made it look bad.
As Zhang tries to get set, Elit tries to push him back and clinch up but Zhang manages to avoid the attempt.
Zhang throws a right and a left that Elit avoids nicely.
Elit tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zhang manages to circle out of the way.
Zhang fails to land with a series of punches.
Zhang pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elit showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zhang.
As Zhang tries to get set, Elit tries to push him back and clinch up but Zhang manages to avoid the attempt.
Zhang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Elit tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zhang manages to circle out of the way.
Zhang shoots in and drives through. Elit sprawls well.
Zhang rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Elit moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Elit leaves Zhang with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zhang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Elit wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alpha Elit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zhang has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Zhang!
Big Zhang was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
The defeated Alpha Elit had this to say: 'I'll be back!'.