PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tam Zeus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeus comes to the cage accompanied by Open Road. Palhares has chosen TOQUINHO as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Zeus
vs
Palhares

178 cm
28
199 lbs
12 - 4 - 1

181 cm
29
178 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Convicted Trap House
Conviction

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 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tam Zeus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Palhares throws the kick towards the body but Zeus avoids it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Palhares.
Palhares is looking to score with low kicks.
Zeus throws out a loose jab but Palhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zeus punishes Palhares's body with a nice straight punch.
Pluto Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Zeus misses the target.
Palhares looks to throw the jab but Zeus is out of range.
Palhares throws out a leg kick but Zeus moves out of range and Palhares only half commits.
Zeus blocks the body kick.
Palhares tries to work over Zeus's front leg with a kick but Zeus checks it.
Palhares fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zeus checks it well.
Palhares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zeus sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Palhares gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Palhares seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zeus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Palhares swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zeus preventing the sweep.
Zeus wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
Zeus's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Zeus working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Palhares's head.
Palhares is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Zeus's leg. Zeus is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Palhares.
Palhares looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Zeus closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Palhares did well to prevent Zeus getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palhares has his hands clasped together around Zeus's back. He's all about the action.
Palhares tries to roll over but Zeus keeps him under control.
Palhares is trying to maintain the position but Zeus is very close to passing his half guard.
Zeus throws a strike but Palhares avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Zeus tries to free his leg and advance position but Palhares is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Zeus trying to control but Palhares is working from the bottom.
Zeus is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Palhares is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Palhares trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Palhares takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zeus moves away.
Zeus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Palhares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zeus dives in and scores a takedown into Palhares's guard.
Palhares looking to control.
Palhares bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zeus's guard.
Palhares throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeus trying to keep a closed guard but Palhares is proving a slippery customer.
Palhares is in close to Zeus's body, working some short punches and elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Zeus keeps moving.
Zeus 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pluto Palhares will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Palhares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zeus was well out of range. Poor timing from Palhares.
Palhares lands a front kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Palhares.
Palhares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palhares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zeus fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Palhares throws a front kick that sends Zeus stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares lands a leg kick that knocks Zeus off balance momentarily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zeus.
An inside leg kick lands from Palhares.
Palhares lands a jab to the head.
Zeus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Palhares.
Palhares moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Palhares. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Palhares pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Zeus's leg. Zeus is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeus takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Palhares is looking to slow Zeus down with leg kicks.
A punch lands to the side of Zeus 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Palhares cracks the inside of Zeus's front leg.
Palhares swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Palhares scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares scores with a jab. Zeus acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Palhares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zeus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Palhares lands a lovely overhand right.
Zeus is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Good leg kick by Palhares there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Palhares misses with a body kick.
Zeus chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Palhares can pounce on him.
Zeus tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Palhares looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Palhares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Palhares tries to land a front kick but Zeus steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeus with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Palhares to score with a decent uppercut.
Jab by Palhares.
Zeus gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Palhares throws a head kick but Zeus moves out of range.
Palhares finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Palhares lands with a good body shot.
Palhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Zeus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Palhares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Palhares tests Zeus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Palhares ducks under a wild hook from Zeus.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Palhares pushes Zeus away with a front kick.

Zeus darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Palhares is controlling Zeus's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus wants to pass the guard but Palhares is defending well.
Palhares is trying to maintain the position but Zeus is very close to passing his half guard.
Zeus working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Palhares's thigh. Palhares counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zeus trying to control the position from guard on top but Palhares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zeus wants to pass the guard but Palhares is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Palhares is looking for a triangle but Zeus pushes his legs off easily.
Zeus wants to pass the guard but Palhares is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pluto Palhares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Palhares throws a shot from downtown. Zeus moves away and avoids it.
Zeus with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Palhares scores with a nice body kick.
Palhares wants to slow Zeus down by chopping away at his legs.
Palhares misses the shot to the body.
Palhares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zeus.
Zeus is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zeus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zeus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palhares slips a straight right by Zeus.
Palhares looks to land a body kick but Zeus moved away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zeus.
Zeus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Palhares as he avoids it easily.
Zeus checks a leg kick.
Zeus bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Palhares thumps Zeus with a low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Zeus blocks the low kick.
Zeus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Palhares.
Palhares slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Palhares misses with a looping left.
Zeus misses with a hook. Palhares ducked under it nicely.
Pluto Palhares seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palhares misses with a body kick.
Palhares leaves Zeus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tam Zeus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palhares throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Palhares will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Palhares throws a head kick but Zeus moves out of range.
Palhares connects with an inside leg kick.
Palhares throws out a powerful jab.
Palhares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zeus lands a body shot.
Palhares feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zeus's calf.
Zeus looks to throw the jab but Palhares is out of range.
Tam Zeus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Palhares 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palhares works the jab nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Palhares.
Palhares scores with a punch to the head.
Zeus misses with a hook. Palhares ducked under it nicely.
Zeus shoots for a takedown but Palhares saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Palhares moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zeus takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Palhares is looking to land body kicks.
Palhares pivots, looking for a leg kick but Zeus is out of range and Palhares settles back down.
Palhares scores with a spinning back kick!
Palhares's corner calls for a 1-2. Palhares obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zeus just misses with a punch to the body.
Zeus avoids a kick to the body.
Zeus takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Palhares stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zeus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Palhares looks to land a body kick but Zeus moved away.
Palhares fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Palhares scores with a nice right hand.
Palhares connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Palhares dips to his left and cracks Zeus with an uppercut!
Zeus will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Palhares connects with a looping right hand.
Zeus looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zeus showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Palhares.
Palhares defending well as Zeus loads up on a big left hand.
Zeus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Palhares.
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!
Zeus shoots in for a double leg but Palhares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Palhares lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares fakes the leg kick and cracks Zeus in the body.
Palhares throws a right and a left that Zeus avoids nicely.
Palhares goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zeus takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nice body kick from Palhares.
That kick from Palhares tenderised Zeus's leg. Zeus is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zeus takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zeus misses with a straight right.
Palhares lands with a kick to the temple. Zeus shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Palhares defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zeus.
Zeus walks forward, straight into a front kick from Palhares.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zeus takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Palhares lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zeus backs up against the cage.
Nice body kick there by Palhares.
Palhares fakes the leg kick and cracks Zeus in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pluto Palhares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Palhares winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pluto Palhares!
A relieved looking Pluto Palhares thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.