PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stone Cold Steve Austin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kwami Zuzu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Austin comes to the cage accompanied by Austin. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cold Steve Austin
vs
Zuzu

200 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
21
273 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Stone Cold Steve Austin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kwami Zuzu!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steve Austin shoots for a takedown but Zuzu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Steve Austin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zuzu fails to pull guard.
Zuzu is trying to push Steve Austin away but Steve Austin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Steve Austin wants the takedown. Zuzu is fighting it off but Steve Austin persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Zuzu's guard against the cage.
Steve Austin postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zuzu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zuzu keeping full guard, as Steve Austin tries to pass.
Zuzu keeping moving, preventing Steve Austin from controlling successfully.
Steve Austin thows a big elbow that misses.
Zuzu keeping moving, preventing Steve Austin from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Zuzu looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Steve Austin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Steve Austin looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve Austin wants to control from the top but Zuzu keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stone Cold Steve Austin wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Steve Austin scores with a spinning back kick!
Steve Austin tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Zuzu counters with a takedown into side control.
Zuzu fails to land a wild elbow strike.
You can see the frustration on Steve Austin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zuzu lands a decent elbow from side control.
Zuzu scores with punches from side control.
Zuzu tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Steve Austin taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steve Austin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Zuzu off and has taken his back!

Zuzu defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Zuzu rolls, trying to escape but Steve Austin keeps control of the position.
Steve Austin lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Steve Austin keeps control of the position as Zuzu tries to break free.
Zuzu looks gassed!
Steve Austin tries to keep control of the position but Zuzu is staying busy.
Steve Austin cracks Zuzu with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Zuzu from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Steve Austin looking to break Zuzu's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Zuzu remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Steve Austin will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
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.
Zuzu looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Steve Austin not allowing Zuzu to control his hands.
Zuzu tries to escape but Steve Austin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Zuzu grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Steve Austin controls the action.
Zuzu looking very determined here, making life difficult for Steve Austin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve Austin is hanging on to Zuzu's back as he tries to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
A lazy left from Zuzu finds it's target.
Zuzu shoots for a takedown but Steve Austin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zuzu stuffs the takedown attempt from Steve Austin. Steve Austin gets slowly back to his feet.
Zuzu takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Kwami Zuzu has been cut.
Steve Austin closes the distance and clinches up with Zuzu, looking for a takedown. Steve Austin pushes Zuzu against the cage but Zuzu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stone Cold Steve Austin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steve Austin is defended easily by Zuzu.
Zuzu swats away the attempt to clinch by Steve Austin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stone Cold Steve Austin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kwami Zuzu's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Steve Austin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zuzu throws a body punch but Steve Austin moves out of range.
Steve Austin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zuzu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

It looks like Stone Cold Steve Austin has been cut.
Steve Austin shoots for a takedown but Zuzu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zuzu throws a right and a left that Steve Austin avoids nicely.
A lazy body kick from Zuzu
and Steve Austin counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Zuzu is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Steve Austin tries for a takedown but Zuzu circles away easily

and Zuzu counters by clinching up.
Steve Austin fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stone Cold Steve Austin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuzu is trying to drag Steve Austin to the mat but Steve Austin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zuzu is looking to break free of the clinch but Steve Austin has double underhooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Steve Austin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zuzu 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.
Zuzu stalling in the clinch but Steve Austin improves position.

Steve Austin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kwami Zuzu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steve Austin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nice body punch from Zuzu.

Zuzu decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zuzu wants to pass to mount but Steve Austin is defending the position.
Steve Austin pushes Zuzu off looking to stand but Zuzu dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Steve Austin wants to get back to full guard.
Steve Austin is working hard here to advance position.
Zuzu really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Steve Austin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Steve Austin trying to control but Zuzu postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stone Cold Steve Austin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Zuzu takes the fight into the clinch.
Steve Austin jumps guard but Zuzu stands there with Steve Austin around his waist. Steve Austin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Steve Austin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zuzu tries for a takedown but Steve Austin manages to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Steve Austin as Zuzu tries to tie him up.
Steve Austin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Steve Austin manages to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuzu looking to sit in guard and control but Steve Austin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Steve Austin stands up from Zuzu's guard - Steve Austin perhaps looking for a knockout.

Steve Austin rushes Zuzu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Steve Austin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zuzus head.
Nice elbow from Steve Austin.
Steve Austin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zuzu throws an elbow but it misses.

Steve Austin jumps into guard, dragging Zuzu to the mat.
Steve Austin controls Zuzu momentarily but Zuzu frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve Austin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Steve Austin trying to keep a closed guard but Zuzu is proving a slippery customer.
Zuzu trying to control but Steve Austin is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stone Cold Steve Austin has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Steve Austin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kwami Zuzu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Steve Austin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zuzu scores with a one two! Steve Austin had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Steve Austin closes the distance and clinches.
Steve Austin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zuzu gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Steve Austin breaks from the clinch.

Steve Austin drives through with a takedown into Zuzu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Steve Austin forces his way into half guard.
Zuzu pushes Steve Austin off looking to stand but Steve Austin dives back in and keeps control.
Still in half guard, Steve Austin seems content to control.
Steve Austin scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Steve Austin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zuzu defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steve Austin is trying to control. Zuzu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steve Austin stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stone Cold Steve Austin wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Zuzu closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Zuzu wants to take a breather but Steve Austin is having none of it.
Steve Austin keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Steve Austin trying to control but Zuzu postures up.
Zuzu prevents Steve Austin from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zuzu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zuzu wants to free his trapped foot but Steve Austin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Steve Austin gets full guard.
Zuzu wants to control from the top but Steve Austin keeps moving.
Steve Austin is controlling Zuzu's posture.
Zuzu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Steve Austin thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Zuzu trying to control but Steve Austin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steve Austin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Zuzu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Stone Cold Steve Austin just wasn't active enough.
Steve Austin throws a nice looking combination but Zuzu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zuzu tries to clinch but Steve Austin moves out of range.
Steve Austin tries to clinch up but Zuzu circles away and keeps his distance.

Zuzu feints and as Steve Austin raises his hands in defense, Zuzu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zuzu won't allow Steve Austin to sweep him here.
Steve Austin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zuzu looking to sit in guard and control but Steve Austin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steve Austin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Zuzu, up you get!

Zuzu shoots in and bounces Steve Austin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Zuzu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Steve Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zuzu trying to control the position from guard on top but Steve Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Steve Austin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zuzu throwing strikes from guard but Steve Austin blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kwami Zuzu.
I think Zuzu 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kwami Zuzu!