PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Leben (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mswati Zuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zuma has chosen Swaziland National Anthem as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Leben
vs
Zuma

200 cm
24
280 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

195 cm
26
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Empire Threads - Featuring Deadly Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Leben!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mswati Zuma!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Steve Montenegro and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leben is looking to score with low kicks.
Zuma avoids the head kick by Leben.
Zuma throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zuma throws a lazy head kick
and Leben counters with a leg kick.
Zuma misses with a body shot.
Leben lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zuma backs up against the ropes.
Zuma misses with the body kick
and Leben counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A head kick misses from Zuma.
A big right from Zuma misses.
Zuma misses with a wild body shot.
Zuma lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zuma fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leben throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zuma throws a lazy body kick
and Leben counters with a one-two to the body.
Zuma throws a wild body kick that Leben sees coming a mile off.
Zuma throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Leben counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zuma lands with a nice body kick.
Zuma throws a push kick but Leben slaps the foot to one side.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses
and Leben counters with a good, hard body kick but Zuma shrugs it off.
Zuma looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leben avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Leben.
Leben throws a one two combo.
Leben lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zuma backs up against the ropes.
Danga de danga de dang - Leben scores with a four punch combination!
Leben throws a head kick that misses
and Zuma counters with a leg kick.
Zuma blocks a head kick by Leben.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Leben.
Danga de danga de dang - Leben scores with a four punch combination!
Zuma misses the body punch
and Leben counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mswati Zuma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leben scores with a one two! Zuma had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Leben lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zuma at a distance.
Leben throws a head kick but Zuma moves out of range.
Leben throws a right and a left that Zuma avoids nicely.
Leben scores with a one two! Zuma had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Leben goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Leben throws a combination. Zuma tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Zuma checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leben throws a wild body kick that Zuma sees coming a mile off.
A bone on bone clash there as Zuma blocks the leg kick.
Leben cracks a nice hook into Zuma's ribs.
Leben throws a head kick but Zuma moves out of range.
Leben throws a right hand that Zuma ducks under and follows up with a left that Zuma also avoids with ease.
A low kick from Zuma misses
and Leben makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Zuma really felt that one!
Leben avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Leben feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zuma's calf.
Leben fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zuma.
Zuma throws a leg kick that is checked
and Leben counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Zuma throws out a leg kick but Leben moves out of range and Zuma only half commits.
Leben lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zuma circles away quickly and effectively.
Zuma takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Leben tries a head kick but it misses.
Leben works over Zuma's head and body with a nice combination.
Leben is looking to wear down Zuma with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Leben fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuma avoids the head kick by Leben.
Leben looks to land a combination but Zuma avoids it well.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses
and Leben counters with a series of strikes. Zuma will be more careful next time no doubt.
Leben throws a head kick but Zuma moves out of range.
Leben stalks Zuma and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zuma's face. Zuma staggers backwards, shaken.
Zuma tries to land a body kick
and Leben counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zuma throws a leg kick that is checked
and Leben counters with a left and a right that stings Zuma.
Nice body kick there by Leben.
Leben ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leben misses with a wild combination.
Some bone on bone action there as Zuma checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Leben punishes Zuma's body with a nice straight punch.
Leben throws a head kick but Zuma moves out of range.
Zuma throws a head kick but Leben moves out of range.
Leben tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuma avoids a punch combination nicely.
A shot to the body from Zuma misses
and Zuma takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Leben is working the combinations to good effect here.
Zuma on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Leben scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zuma throws a leg kick
and Leben counters with a left and a right that stings Zuma.
Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Leben lands with a nice combination. Zuma backs away looking to recover.
Leben lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Leben thows a body kick. Zuma tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Zuma checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Leben misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Leben.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Leben lands a jab-cross combination.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses
and Leben finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Leben throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leben scores with a spinning back kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Leben dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A slapping leg kick lands for Leben.
Leben misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zuma walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Leben checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Zuma throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Leben counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Leben moves out of range of the body kick.
Leben cracks Zuma with an open hand slap.
Zuma misses with a kick to the body
and Leben counters with a nice uppercut.
Good shot there by Leben.
Chris Leben is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zuma fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The fighters circling - Zuma throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zuma throws a leg kick but Leben checks it.
Zuma gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Leben counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zuma moves out of range of the body kick.
Leben shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zuma tries to land a body kick
and Leben counters with a head kick. That will keep Zuma thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Zuma is breathing heavily.
Leben lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leben throws a head kick but Zuma moves out of range.
Leben misses with a body kick.
Leben misses with a head kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Leben finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zuma - that will leave a mark!
Zuma throws a push kick but Leben slaps the foot to one side.
Leben bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zuma's head backwards.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zuma. Leben shrugs it off though.
A head kick by Zuma misses
and Leben counters with a one-two to the body.
Zuma has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Leben blocks the body kick.
Zuma tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zuma tries to land a body kick
and Leben counters with a leg kick.
Zuma throws a lazy head kick
and Leben counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Zuma is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Zuma tries to land a front kick but Leben steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Leben throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Zuma counters with a head kick. That will keep Leben thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Leben.
Leben avoids a kick to the body.
Leben is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zuma can do to turn this around?
Zuma keeps Leben at a distance using the push kick.
Zuma misses the body punch
and Leben counters with a good low kick that Zuma was not able to check.
Zuma pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zuma ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slapping body kick lands there for Zuma.
Zuma misses with a body kick.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zuma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leben swinging wildly here.
Leben blocks a head kick by Zuma.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Leben crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zuma - the referee stops the clock and Leben gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zuma. Leben manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zuma misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuma tries a head kick but it misses.
Zuma looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Leben blocks a head kick by Zuma.
Leben has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zuma.
Leben blocks the body kick.
Zuma throws a head kick but Leben moves out of range.
Zuma fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Leben.
Zuma throws a body kick that misses.
Zuma throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zuma has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Leben.
Zuma scores with a nice body kick.
Zuma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zuma tries a head kick but it misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zuma. Leben shrugs it off though.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Zuma might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Leben has got the better of the exchanges.
Zuma misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leben.
Zuma throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuma scores with a spinning back kick!
Zuma looks to land a body kick but Leben moved away.
Zuma tries to clinch up but Leben circles away and keeps his distance.
Zuma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leben manages to avoid it.
Zuma looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zuma looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Leben takes a kick to the side of the head.
Zuma wants to land a leg kick but Leben is out of range.
Zuma throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A low kick from Leben is predictable there
and Zuma counters with a body kick that stops Leben in his tracks momentarily.
Zuma throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leben on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Zuma misses with a body kick.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Zuma.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mswati Zuma showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Leben takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Leben avoids the head kick by Zuma.
Zuma jabs at Leben's body.
Jab by Zuma.
Zuma misses with a body kick.
Leben thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zuma throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Leben's head.
Zuma misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Zuma.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zuma.
Zuma feints and then cracks Leben's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Leben down.
Leben avoids a kick to the body.
Zuma lands a front kick.
Zuma cracks the inside of Leben's front leg.
Zuma lands a head kick!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zuma scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Zuma.
Leben blocks a jab.
Zuma bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zuma throws a front kick that sends Leben stumbling back into the ropes.
Zuma thows a body shot but no joy.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zuma.
Zuma bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zuma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zuma throws a leg kick which misses Leben's front leg but catches the back leg as Leben tries to avoid it.
Zuma wants to clinch up but Leben keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Zuma.

Zuma rushes Leben and presses him up against the ropes.
A left hand lands to the body for Zuma.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zuma breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leben takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zuma bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zuma throws a head kick but Leben moves out of range.
Chris Leben is winning the standup battle so far.
Zuma tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zuma cracks Leben with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zuma doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zuma pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Leben misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zuma looks to land a left hand but Leben moved out of range nicely.
Zuma throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zuma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zuma throws the kick towards the body but Leben avoids it.
Zuma bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Zuma connects with a solid leg kick.
Zuma lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuma throws a front kick that sends Leben stumbling back into the ropes.
Zuma throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zuma pushes Leben away with a front kick.
Leben has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Zuma.
Leben avoids a kick to the body.
Zuma throws the kick towards the body but Leben avoids it.
Leben takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zuma throws a sloppy head kick and Leben moves out of range easily.
Zuma explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zuma scores with a leg kick.
Zuma throws a head kick but Leben moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Leben crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zuma - the referee stops the clock and Leben gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zuma. Leben manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zuma misses with an attempted mid kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zuma.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zuma scores with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zuma.
Zuma's corner calls for a 1-2. Zuma obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zuma goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zuma throws a head kick that misses.
Zuma pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leben is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A head kick by Leben misses
and Zuma counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Zuma.
Leben misses with the combination.
Leben takes a head kick and keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zuma takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zuma tries to land a front kick but Leben steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Leben tries to bum rush Zuma with a series of wild strikes but Zuma uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zuma scores with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mswati Zuma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zuma 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mswati Zuma!