PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zhang Zhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricci Boyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Zhu
vs
Boyd

178 cm
34
180 lbs
9 - 27 - 0

180 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 9 - 27 - 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 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricci Boyd!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Boyd enables Zhu to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Boyd manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Boyd is looking to stand up but Zhu isn't so interested in that idea.
Boyd trying to control the position.

Boyd is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhu is aware though and is defending well.
Zhu is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Boyd is wriggling around but Zhu manages to pass to half guard.

Zhu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Boyd doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zhu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhu passes to full mount!
Zhu controlling his opponent.

Boyd defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Zhu.
Zhu controlling the position easily from mount.

Zhu with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyd is looking to get to half guard.
Zhu tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Boyd is bucking up trying to escape but Zhu cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Zhu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zhu prevents Boyd from getting the reversal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhu controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boyd is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhu controlling from the full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boyd is trying desperately to improve position.
Zhu content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhu working the ground and pound effectively.
Zhu prevents Boyd from getting the reversal.
Zhu lands with some strikes.

It looks like Ricci Boyd has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhu controlling from mount.
Boyd is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhu controlling the position easily from mount.
Zhu connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zhu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricci Boyd's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zhu darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Zhu works his way into side control.
Zhu content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Zhu scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Boyd to see if he's OK.
Boyd seems a little lost for a moment, as Zhu dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhu's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zhu takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Boyd to pass into mount.
Boyd is looking to get to half guard.
Zhu controlling the position easily from mount.
Zhu lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Zhang Zhu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zhu is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Boyd has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zhu controlling from the full mount.
Zhu dominating with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhu controlling the pace for now.
Zhu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Boyd can do to turn this around?
Zhu lands a big elbow.

That has opened up Ricci Boyd's cut even more.

Zhu has hold of Boyd's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Boyd manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhu controlling the position easily from mount.

Zhu stands up from mount. Strange move.
Zhu lands a front kick.

Zhu gets a double leg takedown into Boyd's guard.
Zhu passes Boyd's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Zhu controlling the pace.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Zhu escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Zhu with that takedown attempt.
Zhu shoots in but Boyd avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Zhu has closed the distance and engaged Boyd in a clinch.
Zhu prevents a takedown attempt there.

Zhu jumps guard and drags Boyd to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Boyd throws a strike but Zhu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zhu engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zhu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ricci Boyd's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zhu shoots in looking for a takedown but Boyd manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zhu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Boyd tries to clinch up.
Zhu throws a head kick but Boyd moves out of range.

Zhu throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Boyd was covering up waiting for the punch and Zhu finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zhu pushing down on Boyd's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Zhu decides to stand up.
Boyd thows a body shot but no joy.
Boyd fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zhu shoots in but no luck this time.
Zhu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Boyd defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhang Zhu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhu shoots in but Boyd avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zhu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Boyd pinned against the cage. Boyd gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zhu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Boyd swivels and escapes.
Zhu tries for a takedown but Boyd sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zhu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Boyd sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zhu somewhat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhu shoots for a double leg takedown but Boyd sprawls well. He's pushed Zhu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boyd misses with a few strikes there.

Zhu has closed the distance and engaged Boyd in a clinch.
Boyd misses with some punches.

Zhu turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Boyd can't do much from the bottom here.

Zhu stands up and beckons Boyd to his feet.
Zhu lands with a slapping head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zhu drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Zhu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zhu has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Boyd can't keep his opponent in guard - Zhu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Zhu slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Zhang Zhu.
Boyd avoids the head kick by Zhu.
Zhu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Zhu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zhang Zhu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zhu gets to his feet. Boyd looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Zhu closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
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!
Boyd being controlled for a moment.
Boyd is looking for a sweep.
Boyd is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zhu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zhu content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zhang Zhu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zhu 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:26
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zhang Zhu!