PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esist Stein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Slip Zacha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Stein
vs
Zacha

225 cm
20
204 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esist Stein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Slip Zacha!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stein checks a low kick from Zacha.
Stein misses with the combination.
Esist Stein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zacha darts in and clinches Stein up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zacha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stein being controlled against the cage.
Zacha lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Zacha manages to break the clinch.

Zacha clinches up with Stein and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Stein's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stein really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zacha lands a right hand that snaps the head of Stein backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zacha stalls.
A short body shot lands from Zacha as the two fighters clinch.
Zacha goes for a takedown attempt but Stein pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Stein pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stein throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Stein.
Zacha blocks the body kick.
Stein goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Zacha instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Zacha - that landed with a thud.
Zacha keeps control of Stein as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zacha using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stein has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zacha leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stein can't break the clinch.
Stein tries to break the clinch but Zacha is controlling the position.
Zacha tries for a takedown but Stein manages to get underhooks.
Zacha displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stein up against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Zacha.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein wants to get back to striking at distance but Zacha won't allow it.
Nice body punch from Zacha.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zacha takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Zacha lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zacha keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stein's efforts to push away.
Zacha prevents Stein from breaking the clinch.
Zacha will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stein up against the cage.
Zacha lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Stein or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zacha lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zacha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stein.
Nice body punch from Zacha - that landed with a thud.

Zacha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Zacha moves into the clinch successfully.
Zacha creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zacha keeps control of Stein as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stein is trying to push Zacha away but Zacha has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zacha lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zacha tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Stein can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slip Zacha dominated that round.
That's time! Stein's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zacha dodges the punch combination from Stein.
Stein tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stein lands with a kick to the temple. Zacha shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Slip Zacha has been cut.

Zacha closes the distance and clinches.
A right hand to the body from Zacha.
Zacha scores with a shot to the side of Stein's head.
Zacha lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zacha wants a takedown but no success here.
Zacha scores with a shoulder strike.
Zacha lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zacha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stein backwards.
Slip Zacha seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zacha lands a nice shot to the body.
Zacha scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein is trying to break the clinch but Zacha is controlling him.
Zacha's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Stein is trying to push Zacha away but Zacha has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zacha works on Stein's body with a couple of short punches.
Zacha holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zacha tries to pull guard but Stein holds him up against the cage and eventually Zacha drops back down to his feet.
Zacha pushes Stein back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zacha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zacha, right into the meat.
Stein misses with a few strikes there.
Stein throws a right and a left that both miss.

Zacha feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Zacha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zacha trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Slip Zacha hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Stein pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Zacha instigates a clinch.
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!
Zacha gets through Stein's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zacha displaying some good clinch control by pressing Stein up against the cage.
Zacha softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zacha throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Stein blocks it with crossed arms.

Zacha manages to break the clinch.
Stein tries to score with a low kick but Zacha moves his leg out of the way.
Zacha blocks a head kick by Stein.
Stein misses with a body kick.

Zacha clinches.
Zacha is pushing Stein up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Zacha lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zacha slowing the pace effectively.
Stein wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stein wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zacha has him pressed against the cage.

Zacha pulls Stein into guard.
Zacha tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stein would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Stein stands up from guard. Let's bang!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zacha shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stein sprawls well. Stein wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zacha gets slowly back to his feet.
Esist Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slip Zacha.
Stein tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zacha is able to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slip Zacha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Slip Zacha's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Stein misses with a head kick.

Zacha gets a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zacha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zacha digs a right hand underneath Stein's ribcage. Stein let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zacha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Zacha.
Zacha is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Zacha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Steins head.
Zacha throws an elbow but it misses.
Zacha tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zacha is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zacha throws an elbow but it misses.
Zacha is working for takedown but Stein is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zacha manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Zacha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zacha works on Stein's body with a couple of short punches.
Zacha lands a shoulder strike.
Zacha presses Stein against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nice body punch from Zacha.
Stein wants to get back to striking at distance but Zacha won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zacha breaks from the clinch.
Esist Stein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stein throws a nice looking combination but Zacha bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stein tries to bum rush Zacha with a series of wild strikes but Zacha uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zacha avoids the head kick by Stein.
Zacha looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stein is fending him off so far but Zacha persists. Nope, Stein circles away and we're back to standing.
Esist Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Slip Zacha.
Zacha blocks a head kick by Stein.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stein misses with a double jab.
Stein throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zacha blocks a head kick by Stein.
Stein swinging wildly here.
Stein misses with a wild combination.
Zacha fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stein checks it well.
Stein slaps away a takedown attempt from Zacha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zacha dodges the punch combination from Stein.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zacha closes the distance and clinches.
Zacha lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zacha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stein is defending well for now.

Zacha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zacha slips a jab and a cross from Stein.

Zacha closes the distance and clinches.
Zacha effectively controlling the action here.

Zacha breaks the clinch.
Zacha delivers a nice body kick.

Zacha has managed to clinch.
Zacha lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zacha lands a shot to the body.
Zacha cracks Stein with a nice body shot.
Slip Zacha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice body punch from Zacha - that landed with a thud.
Zacha digs a right hand underneath Stein's ribcage. Stein let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zacha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stein backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Zacha.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zacha.

And that's the end of the fight!
Slip Zacha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zacha 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Slip Zacha!