PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kong Le (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mariusz Zakrzewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Ave Maria. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Le
vs
Zakrzewski

180 cm
28
183 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

178 cm
27
183 lbs
20 - 13 - 3

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kong Le!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mariusz Zakrzewski!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Le paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Le leaves Zakrzewski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zakrzewski throws a right and a left that both miss.
Le takes a jab right on the kisser.
Le works Zakrzewski's body with a nice hook.
Zakrzewski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Le throws a head kick but Zakrzewski moves out of range.
Le scores with a nice head shot.
Le misses with a wild combination.
Zakrzewski scores with a punch to the head.
Le showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch there but Le circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zakrzewski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zakrzewski swings wildly with an uppercut but Le uses good head movement to avoid it.
Le blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zakrzewski misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Le.
Le fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Le with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zakrzewski misses with some punches.
Zakrzewski lands with a right to the head.
Zakrzewski takes a knee to the side of the body.
Le has Zakrzewski pressed against the ropes.
Le avoids the elbow strike from Zakrzewski, against the ropes.
Le lands a shoulder strike.
Zakrzewski is trying to stall.
Le lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zakrzewski backwards.
Le scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Le.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Le using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zakrzewski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zakrzewski tries to land a knee to the head but Le blocks with his arms.
A left hand lands to the body for Le.
Le taking a breather.

Le breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Le slips a straight right by Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski blocks a head kick by Le.
Le displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zakrzewski.
Kong Le has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Zakrzewski.
Le tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zakrzewski was well out of range. Poor timing from Le.
Le lands a nice hook to Zakrzewski's body. Zakrzewski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zakrzewski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Le throws a sloppy head kick and Zakrzewski moves out of range easily.
Le lunges at Zakrzewski with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zakrzewski's hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski avoids the head kick by Le.
Zakrzewski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zakrzewski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Le moves forwards but Zakrzewski connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Le slips a jab from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zakrzewski scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Le doesn't seem bothered though.
Zakrzewski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Le misses with a double jab.
Le ducks under a wild hook from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Le.
Zakrzewski misses with a hook
and Le counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le lands with a shot to the body.
Zakrzewski ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Le.
Le throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zakrzewski.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zakrzewski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Le avoids it really well and circles away.
Zakrzewski shoots for a takedown but Le saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zakrzewski connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Le's hands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Le throws a chopping leg kick but Zakrzewski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zakrzewski rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Le moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Le thows a body kick. Zakrzewski tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kong Le dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Le misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zakrzewski misses with an uppercut.
Zakrzewski is looking to clinch.
Le slips a jab from Zakrzewski.
Le connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zakrzewski throws the left hand but Le avoids the punch easily.
Le will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zakrzewski shoots in and drives through. Le sprawls well.
Zakrzewski misses with a hook. Le ducked under it nicely.
Zakrzewski throws a front kick aimed at Le's knee but Le avoids it well.
Le throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zakrzewski lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le scores with a jab.
Kong Le is winning the standup battle so far.
Zakrzewski shoots in for a double leg but Le sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zakrzewski throws an overhand right that lands on Le's shoulder, as Le tries to avoid the shot.
Le is looking to wear down Zakrzewski with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Le pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zakrzewski looks to score with a jab to the body but Le is just out of range.
Le misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zakrzewski throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Zakrzewski fails to land with a series of punches.
Zakrzewski lands a right hook to the body.
Zakrzewski works over Le's head and body with a nice combination.
Le keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kong Le has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Zakrzewski.
That kick from Le tenderised Zakrzewski's leg. Zakrzewski is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Le.
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!
Le throws a sloppy head kick and Zakrzewski moves out of range easily.
Le buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zakrzewski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Le manages to avoid it.
Zakrzewski fails with a takedown attempt.
Zakrzewski moves out of range of the body kick from Le.
Le misses with a kick to the body.
Le avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zakrzewski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Le tries to avoid it but Zakrzewski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Le to the ground. Le escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le swats away the attempt to clinch by Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski takes a swing at Le's ribcage but misses.
Le tries to land a leg kick but Zakrzewski saw it coming and moves away.
Le is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zakrzewski.
Mariusz Zakrzewski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Le tries a head kick but it misses.
Kong Le is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zakrzewski is looking to clinch.
Zakrzewski lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Le clobbers Zakrzewski with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zakrzewski doesn't manage to clinch there - Le circles away.
Le tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zakrzewski doesn't manage to clinch there - Le circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski throws a wild body kick that Le sees coming a mile off.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch but Le is having none of it.
Zakrzewski lands an overhand right.
Zakrzewski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Le paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Le lands a jab.
Zakrzewski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zakrzewski throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Le throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Le misses.
Kong Le is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Le throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zakrzewski's head.
Le misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kong Le dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Le throws a leg kick but Zakrzewski checks it.
Le keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zakrzewski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Le keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zakrzewski lands with a nice body punch.
Le throws a hook but Zakrzewski avoids it easily.
Zakrzewski misses with a wild combination.
Zakrzewski misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakrzewski wants to clinch up but Le keeps it at a distance.
Le fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A jab from Le does it's job there.
Zakrzewski connects with a right hand. Le shakes it off.
Zakrzewski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Le.
Le lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zakrzewski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Le manages to avoid it.
Zakrzewski tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Le is able to avoid easily.
Zakrzewski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zakrzewski takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zakrzewski throws a lazy body kick
and Le counters with a good low kick that Zakrzewski was not able to check.
Zakrzewski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Le swats away the attempt to clinch by Zakrzewski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Le walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Le takes one to the chin there.
Le lands with a good body shot.
Donk. Le catches Zakrzewski right on the button with a cross.
Le throws a nice head kick!
Le throws a head kick but Zakrzewski moves out of range.
Zakrzewski tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Le is able to avoid easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Le. Zakrzewski shrugs it off though.
Zakrzewski throws a looping overhand right but Le ducks down to avoid it.
Zakrzewski connects with a body shot.
Zakrzewski on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le avoids the body shot from Zakrzewski.
Le misses the jab.
Le throws a hook to the side of Zakrzewski's head but Zakrzewski sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice body punch from Le.
Zakrzewski thows a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zakrzewski is defended easily by Le.
Zakrzewski misses with a two punch combination.

Zakrzewski closes the distance and clinches.
Le managing to block the knees to the body from Zakrzewski.
Le lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A bit of stalling here from Le.
Zakrzewski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Le scores with a nice short uppercut.
Le tries to stall but Zakrzewski uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Le missing with knees to the body.
Le misses with a knee strike.
Zakrzewski is trying to maintain a safe position but Le gets an underhook and turns Zakrzewski into the ropes.
Le blocking some punches.
Zakrzewski trying to stall but Le improves his position.
Zakrzewski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zakrzewski takes a shot to the head.
Le fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Le lands with a light punch inside.
Kong Le has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Zakrzewski lands with a light punch inside.
Le misses with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kong Le clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zakrzewski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zakrzewski shoots in but no luck this time.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch up.
Le throws a head kick but Zakrzewski moves out of range.
Zakrzewski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Le tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zakrzewski misses with a series of wild punches.
Zakrzewski shoots in for a takedown but Le shows good takedown defense.
Le looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Le cracks a nice hook into Zakrzewski's ribs.
Le throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Le throws a hook but Zakrzewski avoids it easily.
Zakrzewski tries to bum rush Le with a series of wild strikes but Le uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Le moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Le dodges the punch combination from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Zakrzewski works Le's body with a nice hook.
Le pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Le scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zakrzewski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zakrzewski moves out of range as Le throws a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Le moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zakrzewski blocks a leg kick.
Zakrzewski with a poor takedown
and Le counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kong Le has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Zakrzewski.
Le delivers a nice body kick.
Zakrzewski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Le misses with a head kick.
Le throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Le will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zakrzewski's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Le fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zakrzewski throws a nice looking combination but Le bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le swings for the body but Zakrzewski moves out of range.
Le throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zakrzewski.
Le uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zakrzewski.
A jab from Zakrzewski misses.
Le misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zakrzewski listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zakrzewski is trying desperately to land a takedown but Le is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Zakrzewski.
Le tries a low kick but Zakrzewski avoids it.
Zakrzewski lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Le throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Le tries to bum rush Zakrzewski with a series of wild strikes but Zakrzewski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Le sprawls well. Le wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zakrzewski gets slowly back to his feet.
Le throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Zakrzewski walks into a left hand.
Le misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Zakrzewski gets a takedown into half guard.
Zakrzewski is keen to just control but Le is a slippery customer.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zakrzewski thows a huge punch but Le dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kong Le had his way with Mariusz Zakrzewski in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zakrzewski checks a low kick from Le.
Zakrzewski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Le checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Le tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zakrzewski was well out of range. Poor timing from Le.
Zakrzewski tries to close the distance and clinch but Le swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Le lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zakrzewski's sensitive parts.
Le throws a nice looking combination but Zakrzewski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zakrzewski tries to clinch but Le moves out of range.
Le avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zakrzewski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Le paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Le blocks a low kick nicely.
Zakrzewski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Le sprawls well. Le wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zakrzewski gets slowly back to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zakrzewski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakrzewski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Le scores with a hook.
Zakrzewski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Le.

Zakrzewski drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Le managing to control the position.
Le working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zakrzewski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zakrzewski working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zakrzewski throwing strikes but missing.
Le is adopting a defensive guard.
Zakrzewski throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakrzewski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Le works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zakrzewski postures up in Le's guard and throws a big left but Le blocks it.
Zakrzewski throws an elbow that misses. Le uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zakrzewski's guard. Nice move by Le!
Zakrzewski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Le 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.
Zakrzewski controls Le momentarily but Le frees himself.
Mariusz Zakrzewski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mariusz Zakrzewski wasn't active enough on the ground.
Le has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zakrzewski.
Zakrzewski avoids the head kick by Le.
Zakrzewski misses with a kick to the body.
Zakrzewski is looking to chop away at Le's legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zakrzewski fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Le is out of range.
Le takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mariusz Zakrzewski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Le has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kong Le!
Kong Le is the new welterweight champion!