PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Demian Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhang Zhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Rocha
vs
Zhu

183 cm
29
196 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

178 cm
30
180 lbs
8 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Demian Rocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zhang Zhu!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Dean Styles and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhu connects with an inside leg kick.

Zhu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rocha is trying to defend but Zhu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Rocha moves into full guard.
Zhu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rocha 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.
Zhu throwing strikes but missing.

Rocha throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zhu throws a strike but Rocha rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Rocha slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhu tries to get to full guard but Rocha has control of the leg.
Rocha landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zhu keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zhu is trying to stand up here but Rocha is controlling him well.
Rocha is trying to control. Zhu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zhu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rocha.
Rocha throwing shots but Zhu is blocking nicely.
Rocha thows a huge punch but Zhu dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha is looking to advance position but Zhu won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rocha looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zhu with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zhu pushes Rocha off but Rocha dives into side control.
Rocha is chipping away with strikes.
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!
Zhu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rocha.
Rocha 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.
Sloppy strikes there by Rocha.
Sloppy strikes there by Rocha.
Zhu managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rocha.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Rocha tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zhu is trying to buck Rocha off.
Rocha working away.

Rocha is working to tighten is grip on Zhu's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Zhu has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Rocha is really squeezing tight and eventually Zhu passes out! Rocha breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Demian Rocha!
A victorious Demian Rocha thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.