PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zhang Zhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Zhu
vs
Rivera

178 cm
28
180 lbs
7 - 16 - 0

188 cm
26
179 lbs
8 - 20 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zhang Zhu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 20 - 1, fighting out of New York, Angel Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rivera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zhu, pushing him back against the cage.
Rivera is trying to break free.
Rivera is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zhu pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Zhu successfully pulls 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.
Zhu keeping moving, preventing Rivera from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhu manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rivera blocking the ground and pound.
Zhu won't let Rivera get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Rivera avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zhu.
Zhu lands a big shot there that rocks Rivera but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhu sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zhu tries to control but Rivera wriggling away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rivera taking shots to the head.
Zhu punching from mount but Rivera doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Rivera really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zhu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Zhu punching from mount but Rivera doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Rivera is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Zhu unloading with bombs!
Zhu looking to finish with strikes here!

Zhu working for a guillotine from mount but Rivera is in no mood to give up.
Zhu throwing strikes but Rivera recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Zhu moves nicely into side control.
Zhu is looking to take a break and control but Rivera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Zhu thowing shots but they're missing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivera avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zhu.
Zhu working the ground and pound effectively.
Rivera is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Zhu thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Rivera wants to get back to his feet.
Zhu lands a heavy elbow.
Rivera holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Zhu tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhu wants to control the pace but Rivera is squirming around nicely.
Zhu looking to control and managing it successfully.
Zhu throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rivera because Zhu loaded up on that one.
Zhu punching from mount but Rivera doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Zhu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Zhu with the ground and pound from mount.
Zhu working the ground and pound effectively.
Rivera is in a horrible position here. Zhu smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Zhu throwing strikes here but Rivera is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Zhu connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhu with the ground and pound from mount.
Zhu throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Rivera blocking the ground and pound.
Zhu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rivera is trying to stand up.
Zhu lands a heavy elbow.
Zhu is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rivera can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Rivera is rocked!
Zhu scoring with strikes but Rivera is staying in there.
Rivera is still in real trouble! Can Zhu finish him?
Zhu postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Rivera bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Zhu and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zhang Zhu!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Zhang Zhu made sure he mentioned BioPharm Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.