PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cubensis Azul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Also Zarathustra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zarathustra has chosen Red Birds Will Fly Out Of The East And Destroy Paris In A Night as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Also Zarathustra is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Azul
vs
Zarathustra

174 cm
29
156 lbs
21 - 10 - 2

185 cm
27
185 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Granite chin

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

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 21 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cubensis Azul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Also Zarathustra!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zarathustra avoids a kick to the body.
Azul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zarathustra.
Zarathustra has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zarathustra there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zarathustra throws a wild body kick that Azul sees coming a mile off.
Azul scores with a jab. Zarathustra acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Azul throws a push kick but Zarathustra slaps the foot to one side.
Azul looks to land a body kick but Zarathustra moved away.
Zarathustra misses the shot to the body.
Zarathustra swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Azul counters with a two punch combo.
Zarathustra scores with a push kick.
A jab from Zarathustra misses.
Azul walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Zarathustra darts in and clinches Azul up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zarathustra blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zarathustra misses with the head strike.
Azul can't break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Azul scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarathustra is trying to push Azul away but Azul has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Azul blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Azul lands a nice uppercut.
Zarathustra prevents Azul from breaking the clinch.

Azul breaks from the clinch.
Zarathustra throws the left hand but Azul avoids the punch easily.
Zarathustra throws a front kick aimed at Azul's knee but Azul avoids it well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Azul. That's going to slow Zarathustra down.
Zarathustra just misses with a punch to the body.
Zarathustra attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zarathustra throws a looping overhand right but Azul ducks down to avoid it.
Azul moves out of range of the strikes.
Zarathustra misses the shot to the body.
Zarathustra takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Azul throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Azul misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azul scores with a hook to the body. Zarathustra takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zarathustra thuds his shin into the meat of Azul's side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azul throws a jab when Zarathustra was well out of range.
Azul checks a leg kick nicely.
Zarathustra throws out a loose jab but Azul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azul thows a body shot but no joy.
Azul moves away from the strike by Zarathustra.
Good leg kick by Azul there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zarathustra misses with a wild body shot.
Zarathustra slips under a jab from Azul.
Zarathustra takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Azul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zarathustra.
Azul fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zarathustra has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Azul throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Azul lands a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra just misses with a punch to the body.
Zarathustra swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Zarathustra misses the target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Azul.
Zarathustra tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Azul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarathustra manages to avoid it.
Azul avoids the body shot from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra motions for Azul to come forward. Zarathustra throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zarathustra.
Azul throws a jab when Zarathustra was well out of range.
Zarathustra jabs Azul right on the nose. Azul blinks but takes it well.
Zarathustra lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Azul misses with a wild combination.
Zarathustra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azul was well out of range. Poor timing from Zarathustra.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zarathustra misses with a low kick.
Zarathustra throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarathustra manages to avoid it.
Azul is looking to slow Zarathustra down with leg kicks.
Azul's corner calls for a 1-2. Azul obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zarathustra tries to score with a low kick but Azul moves his leg out of the way.
Zarathustra uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azul.
Zarathustra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Azul.
Azul ducks under a wild hook from Zarathustra.
Azul tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zarathustra takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Azul scores with the left hand. Zarathustra knows he should have avoided that one.
Zarathustra looks to land a body kick but Azul moved away.
Zarathustra keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azul.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cubensis Azul will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big left from Zarathustra misses.
Zarathustra missing with a left hand there. Azul was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zarathustra takes a swing at Azul's ribcage but misses.
Azul connects with a leg kick. Zarathustra looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cubensis Azul is winning the standup battle so far.
Zarathustra scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Azul doesn't seem bothered though.
Azul thuds a left hand into Zarathustra's body.
Zarathustra swinging wildly here.
Nice defenses there by Zarathustra.
Zarathustra takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Azul here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
A head kick misses from Azul.
Azul checks a leg kick.
Azul throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zarathustra moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zarathustra takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azul misses with a few strikes there.
A punch lands to the side of Zarathustra 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice body kick from Azul.
Zarathustra misses with a few strikes there.
Zarathustra attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Azul avoids the body shot from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Azul. Azul obviously looking to wear him down.
Zarathustra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azul moves away.
Zarathustra tries a head kick but it misses.
Azul cracks Zarathustra with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice defenses there by Azul.
Zarathustra throws out a powerful jab.
Zarathustra chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Azul can pounce on him.
Zarathustra is breathing heavily.
Azul defending well as Zarathustra loads up on a big left hand.
Azul feints and then cracks Zarathustra's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zarathustra down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zarathustra thows a body shot but no joy.
Zarathustra wants to land a leg kick but Azul is out of range.
Azul throws a quick inside leg kick.
Azul throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Azul scores with a nice body kick.
Zarathustra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarathustra pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Azul moves into range and connects with a jab.
Azul scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Azul digs a good hook to Zarathustra's body.
Azul fakes the leg kick and cracks Zarathustra in the body.
Azul connects with a solid leg kick.
Azul connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Azul digs a good hook to Zarathustra's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azul catches Zarathustra with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Azul throws out a powerful jab.
Zarathustra throws a lazy right hand but Azul sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Azul lands a leg kick that knocks Zarathustra off balance momentarily.
Zarathustra misses with a two punch combination.
Zarathustra tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azul dips to his left and cracks Zarathustra with an uppercut!
Zarathustra shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Azul.
Nice body punch from Azul.
Zarathustra looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
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!
Azul scores with a body shot.
Azul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarathustra was well out of range. Poor timing from Azul.
Azul thumps Zarathustra with a low kick.
Azul scores with a jab. Zarathustra acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azul misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zarathustra throws a body punch but Azul moves out of range.
Zarathustra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Azul.
Azul throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zarathustra takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Zarathustra throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Azul misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra throws a series of punches but Azul avoids them all with ease.
Azul lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Azul connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head kick misses from Zarathustra.
Azul throws a wild body kick that Zarathustra sees coming a mile off.
Zarathustra swings for the body but Azul moves out of range.
Azul fakes the leg kick and cracks Zarathustra in the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cubensis Azul dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zarathustra looks to score with a jab to the body but Azul is just out of range.
Zarathustra drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Azul staying out of range there.
Zarathustra fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Azul is out of range.
Zarathustra takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Zarathustra throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Azul scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zarathustra's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Zarathustra closes the distance and clinches.
Azul digs a right hand underneath Zarathustra's ribcage. Zarathustra let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Azul is trying to pull guard but Zarathustra has him pressed against the cage.
Azul lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zarathustra taking a breather.
Zarathustra goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zarathustra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Azul has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zarathustra after a bit of a struggle.
Azul lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azul stalling.
Good body shot from Azul.
Zarathustra keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Azul's efforts to push away.

Azul breaks the clinch.
Azul scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zarathustra has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Azul misses with a wild combination.
Zarathustra thows a body shot but no joy.
Zarathustra fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zarathustra lands with an uppercut that bounces Azul off the cage and back into range.
Azul lands a leg kick that knocks Zarathustra off balance momentarily.
Zarathustra takes a swing at Azul's ribcage but misses.
Azul lands a right hook to the body.
Also Zarathustra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Azul.
Zarathustra throws a big shot that misses.
Zarathustra throws a lazy uppercut
and Azul counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Azul jabs at Zarathustra's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azul wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Azul connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zarathustra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azul was well out of range. Poor timing from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra throws the left hand but Azul avoids the punch easily.
Azul pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zarathustra needs to keep his hands up - Azul had a free shot at his head there.
Azul lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zarathustra's sensitive parts.
That kick from Azul tenderised Zarathustra's leg. Zarathustra is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zarathustra doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Azul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zarathustra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azul throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zarathustra on the side of the head.
Both fighters circling a little - Azul finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Azul clobbers Zarathustra with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Azul connects with a nice looking jab.
Zarathustra takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Azul connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Azul checks a leg kick nicely.
Zarathustra takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Azul. Zarathustra shrugs it off though.
Azul connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zarathustra takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Azul scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zarathustra doesn't seem bothered though.
Zarathustra on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Azul. Azul obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Azul finds it's way round the side to connect with Zarathustra's head.
A low kick from Zarathustra misses
and Azul finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Azul lands with a nice body punch.
Zarathustra is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azul.
A solid leg kick lands there for Azul.
Nice defenses there by Azul.
Azul connects with a right hand. Zarathustra shakes it off.
Nice body kick from Azul.
Zarathustra has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Azul.
Azul misses with a wild body shot.
Zarathustra drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Azul connects with a jab.
Zarathustra takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cubensis Azul is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zarathustra doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zarathustra thows a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cubensis Azul showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Azul has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cubensis Azul!
In his post fight interview, Cubensis Azul started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.