PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Amadeus Astra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amir Zukic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Astra might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Once in a Lifetime. Zukic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 50 cent - Many man. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Astra
vs
Zukic

175 cm
27
162 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

173 cm
26
159 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Rōnin
Rōnin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amadeus Astra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amir Zukic!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Astra connects with a body shot.
Amadeus Astra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Astra avoids the head kick by Zukic.
Good exchange - Astra coming out on top.
Astra throws a sloppy body shot

and Zukic moves into the clinch.
Zukic lands a body shot in the clinch.

Zukic has Astra pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Zukic pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Astra tumbling to the mat - Zukic dives into Astra's guard.
Astra pulls Zukic in to control the position.
Astra working a defensive guard but Zukic manages to pass into side control anyway.
Astra is trying to improve his position.

Zukic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zukic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Astra can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Zukic is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Zukic working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Astra regains half guard.

Zukic wants to work for an arm triangle but Astra is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zukic prevents Astra from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Zukic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Astra does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Astra trying to hold on to Zukic's head to control him but Zukic postures up.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zukic is looking for a kimura here.

Astra actively working from the bottom here.
Astra is looking to improve his position.
Zukic wants to take a breather but Astra is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Zukic trying to control but Astra is working from the bottom.
Astra looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zukic is one step ahead there.
Zukic wants to control from the top but Astra keeps moving.

Astra working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zukic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zukic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Astra is trying to control the position but Zukic postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Astra looking for a sweep. Not yet Astra, not yet.
Astra trying to control the position.
Astra wants to sweep here but Zukic controlling him for the moment.

Astra had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zukic defends it easily.
Zukic trying to control the position from guard on top but Astra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Astra is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zukic wants to control from the top but Astra keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Amir Zukic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Astra lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Astra.
Zukic takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zukic moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Good leg kick by Zukic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Astra throws an overhand right that lands on Zukic's shoulder, as Zukic tries to avoid the shot.
Astra thows a body shot but no joy.
Zukic misses with a shot to the body
and Astra counters with a straight right hand.
Astra takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zukic throws a sloppy head kick and Astra moves out of range easily.
A punch lands to the side of Zukic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Zukic pushes Astra up against the cage in a clinch.
Zukic lands with a right to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Astra fails to land.
Zukic lands with a short shot to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Astra misses with a body punch.
Zukic throws a punch but it's blocked by Astra.
Astra scores with a hook to the body.
Astra misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zukic trying to stall but Astra improves his position.
Zukic lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra lands with a light punch inside.
Zukic taking a breather.
Zukic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Astra tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zukic's elbow.
Nice body punch from Astra - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Astra.
Zukic lands a shot to the body.
Zukic misses with some punches.
Astra working aggressively here.
Astra makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Astra pushes Zukic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astra tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Astra.
A short right from Astra on the inside.
Astra digs a right hand into Zukic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zukic's gas tank.
Zukic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Astra's elbow.
Zukic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Astra tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Astra throws a punch but it's blocked by Zukic.
Zukic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zukic.

Zukic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Astra with that takedown attempt.
Zukic throws a hook but Astra avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zukic tries a head kick but it misses.
Zukic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Amadeus Astra is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Astra tries for a takedown but Zukic circles away easily
and Zukic counters with a nice low kick that buckles Astra's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zukic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Astra misses with a double jab.
Zukic is looking to clinch but Astra is avoiding it.
The crowd cheers as Zukic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Astra doesn't seem phased though.
Zukic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Astra pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Astra misses.
Astra throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zukic avoids a punch combination nicely.
That kick from Zukic tenderised Astra's leg. Astra is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Astra is looking to clinch but Zukic is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zukic throws a head kick that misses.
Astra lands a body shot.

Zukic moves into the clinch.
Zukic lands a body punch in the clinch.
Astra lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zukic backwards.
Astra softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zukic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zukic lands a hook that snaps the head of Astra backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Zukic.
A hook to the body from Zukic.
Good body shot from Astra.
Zukic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Zukic on the inside.
Astra tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zukic misses with a punch to the body.
Astra tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zukic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Astra pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zukic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zukic throws a body kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zukic tries to clinch up but Astra circles away and keeps his distance.
Zukic connects with a high kick.
Astra tries to close the distance and clinch but Zukic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Astra thows a body shot but no joy.
Astra misses with an uppercut.
Zukic tries to clinch up but Astra circles away and keeps his distance.
Zukic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Astra misses with an uppercut.

Astra moves into range and clinches up with Zukic.
Astra tries to throw a body punch but Zukic avoids it by throwing Astra back against the cage.
Zukic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astra stalling.
A short right from Astra on the inside.
Zukic lands a right hand.

Zukic has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Astra clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zukic working for a choke but Astra reverses nicely into Zukic 's guard.
Astra postures up in Zukic's guard and throws a big left but Zukic blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amir Zukic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Zukic connects with an inside leg kick.
Astra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zukic manages to avoid it.
Zukic wants to land a leg kick but Astra is out of range.
Astra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zukic manages to avoid it.
Zukic tries a head kick but it misses.
Astra fails with an attempt to clinch.
A jab from Astra misses.
Astra throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zukic counters with a good low kick that Astra was not able to check.
Zukic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zukic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Astra will feel that in the morning.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zukic. That's going to slow Astra down.
Astra misses with a wild combination.
Nice body kick there by Zukic.
Astra tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zukic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zukic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zukic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Astra is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zukic's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zukic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Astra backwards.
Zukic lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zukic is working Astra over against the cage.
Zukic displaying some good clinch control by pressing Astra up against the cage.
Zukic misses with some punches.
Astra swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Astra's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Astra blocking some punches.
Zukic pushes Astra back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zukic.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zukic creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Astra.
Astra misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Zukic.
A hook to the body from Zukic.
Zukic holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Astra fails to land.
A shot in the inside from Zukic.
Zukic working aggressively here.
Astra misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Astra fails to land.
Astra blocking some punches.
Zukic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zukic swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Zukic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zukic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Astra's head.

Astra scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zukic manages to get to full guard.
Astra postures up in Zukic's guard and throws a big left but Zukic blocks it.
Zukic looking to control.
Zukic looking for a sweep. Not yet Zukic, not yet.
Astra stands and throws Zukic's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astra connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Zukic some visible discomfort.
Astra wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zukic keeps working.
Astra working away.
Astra tries to advance to mount but can't.
Astra landing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Astra working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Astra working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Amadeus Astra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zukic trying to control but Astra flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Zukic breaks Astra's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zukic works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Zukic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Zukic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Astra is just riding it out for now. Zukic eventually gives up the hold.
Zukic is thwarting Astra's attempts to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zukic is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amir Zukic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zukic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amir Zukic!