PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Corey Bigs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heliodoro Zuberi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bigs comes into the arena with Danko Jones - Lovercall blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bigs
vs
Zuberi

165 cm
26
143 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

160 cm
21
140 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Powerful

{GTI} - HGH Nutrients

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Corey Bigs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Heliodoro Zuberi!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bigs keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Zuberi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bigs's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Zuberi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zuberi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bigs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zuberi.
Zuberi stops Bigs from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zuberi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zuberi throws a big right hand that misses.
Zuberi passes Bigs's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zuberi drops an elbow to the side of Bigs's head.
Bigs is trying to maintain the position but Zuberi is very close to passing his half guard.
Zuberi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bigs defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuberi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bigs's head.
Bigs tries to get to full guard but Zuberi has control of the leg.

Zuberi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bigs doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zuberi.
Zuberi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bigs is trying to stand back up but Zuberi is controlling him

Zuberi wants to work for an arm triangle but Bigs is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bigs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zuberi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bigs works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zuberi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bigs tries to avoid it but Zuberi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bigs to the ground. Bigs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zuberi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bigs defends it nicely.
Corey Bigs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heliodoro Zuberi.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bigs loads up on a big right hand but Zuberi slips the punch.
Zuberi tries for a takedown but Bigs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zuberi shoots in for a double leg but Bigs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zuberi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bigs defends it nicely.
Horrible takedown by Zuberi or perhaps it was just good defense by Bigs which made him look bad.
Heliodoro Zuberi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zuberi looks gassed!
Bigs stuffs the takedown attempt from Zuberi. Zuberi gets slowly back to his feet.
Zuberi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bigs missing with a left hand there. Zuberi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zuberi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Horrible takedown by Zuberi or perhaps it was just good defense by Bigs which made him look bad.
Zuberi shoots in for a double leg but Bigs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zuberi closes the distance and clinches up with Bigs, looking for a takedown. Zuberi pushes Bigs against the cage but Bigs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zuberi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bigs tries to avoid it but Zuberi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bigs to the ground. Bigs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zuberi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bigs as he jumps to the side.
Bigs works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zuberi dives in and grabs Bigs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bigs pushes down on Zuberi's head and hops out.
Bigs tests Zuberi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zuberi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bigs throws a body punch but Zuberi moves out of range.
Zuberi tries for a takedown but Bigs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zuberi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bigs thuds a left hand into Zuberi's body.
Bigs lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Some wild striking there from Bigs.
Zuberi fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zuberi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bigs.
Zuberi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bigs sprawls well. Bigs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zuberi gets slowly back to his feet.
Zuberi blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Bigs dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zuberi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bigs as he avoids it easily.
Zuberi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bigs missing with a left hand there. Zuberi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zuberi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bigs but Bigs pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Corey Bigs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heliodoro Zuberi.
Bigs scores with a jab to the head.
Bigs keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bigs throws a jab when Zuberi was well out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Bigs as Zuberi shoots in.
Zuberi shoots for a double leg takedown but Bigs sprawls well. He's pushed Zuberi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bigs throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zuberi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bigs.
Zuberi is breathing heavily.
Bigs misses with an uppercut. Zuberi saw that one coming.
Zuberi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bigs.
Zuberi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bigs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bigs.
Bigs stuffs the takedown.
Zuberi dives in and grabs Bigs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bigs pushes down on Zuberi's head and hops out.

Zuberi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bigs is trying to defend but Zuberi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bigs gets full guard.

Bigs is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bigs utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bigs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bigs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zuberi throws a strike but Bigs rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zuberi is looking for a triangle but Bigs pushes his legs off easily.
Bigs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bigs slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Zuberi trying to keep a closed guard but Bigs is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zuberi working for a triangle but Bigs defends it easily.
Bigs is in close to Zuberi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bigs controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zuberi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Zuberi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bigs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zuberi wants to sweep but no luck.

Bigs got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zuberi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bigs has managed to get both his arms back between Zuberi's legs - danger averted.
Bigs is in close to Zuberi's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bigs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zuberi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bigs stacks Zuberi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bigs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Bigs dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bigs throws a shot from downtown. Zuberi moves away and avoids it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zuberi.
Bigs slaps away a takedown attempt from Zuberi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zuberi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Corey Bigs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heliodoro Zuberi.
Bigs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bigs wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bigs throws a looping overhand right but Zuberi ducks down to avoid it.
Zuberi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bigs pinned against the cage. Bigs gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bigs throws a hook but Zuberi avoids it easily.
Zuberi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuberi fails to land the takedown.
Bigs scores with a decent looking hook.
Bigs stuffs the takedown attempt from Zuberi. Zuberi gets slowly back to his feet.
Zuberi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bigs sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zuberi somewhat.
Zuberi takes one on the button.
Zuberi closes the distance and clinches up with Bigs, looking for a takedown. Zuberi pushes Bigs against the cage but Bigs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bigs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bigs connects with a nice looking jab.
Bigs looks to throw the jab but Zuberi is out of range.
Bigs is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Bigs scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zuberi shoots in for a double leg but Bigs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi fails with the takedown.
Zuberi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zuberi slips a jab from Bigs.
Zuberi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A lazy left from Bigs finds it's target.
Bigs waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zuberi.
Zuberi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bigs pinned against the cage. Bigs gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zuberi moves out of range of the strikes.
Bigs throws a looping overhand right but Zuberi ducks down to avoid it.
Corey Bigs is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by Zuberi.
Zuberi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bigs tries to avoid it but Zuberi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bigs to the ground. Bigs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuberi fails to land the takedown.
Zuberi moves away from the strike by Bigs.
Bigs connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Zuberi momentarily.
Corey Bigs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zuberi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bigs circles away.
Bigs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zuberi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bigs as he avoids it easily.
Bigs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bigs throws a hook but Zuberi blocks it.
Zuberi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bigs throws a hook but Zuberi blocks it.
Bigs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bigs wants it to stay on the feet.
A combination from Bigs does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bigs leaves Zuberi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zuberi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Corey Bigs is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zuberi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Heliodoro Zuberi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bigs looks to land a left hand but Zuberi moved out of range nicely.
Zuberi tries for a takedown but Bigs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bigs scores with a one two! Zuberi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Zuberi fails with a takedown attempt.
Bigs thuds his right hand into Zuberi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bigs throws the left hand but Zuberi avoids the punch easily.
Zuberi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bigs.
Bigs moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corey Bigs showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bigs, 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corey Bigs!