PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lil Fame (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Zeller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Fame
vs
Zeller

205 cm
21
265 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

210 cm
22
270 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lil Fame!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cody Zeller!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeller fails with a takedown attempt.
Zeller's coach down at Elite Performance Training Center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zeller's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A jab lands there for Zeller.

It looks like Lil Fame has been cut.
Fame keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zeller scores with a shot to the body.
Zeller blocks a jab.
Fame cracks the inside of Zeller's front leg.
Zeller throws a hook but Fame blocks it.
Fame scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fame tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zeller thows a body shot but no joy.
Zeller just misses with a punch to the body.
Zeller blocks a head kick by Fame.
Fame scores with a nice head shot.
Fame connects with a crisp jab.
Zeller scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A telegraphed right hand from Fame misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fame throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fame bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zeller checks the leg kick.
A shot to the body from Zeller misses
and Fame counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Zeller scores with a head kick.
Fame keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zeller is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fame rather than just go for the knockout.
Fame tries to bum rush Zeller with a series of wild strikes but Zeller uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zeller throws a nice outside leg kick.
Fame lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
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!
A lazy left from Zeller finds it's target.
Zeller checks a leg kick.
Zeller fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zeller tries to clinch up but Fame circles away and keeps his distance.
Fame is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fame thuds a left hand into Zeller's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeller scores with a takedown into Fame's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Zeller drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zeller jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fame trying to keep a closed guard but Zeller is proving a slippery customer.
Zeller won't allow Fame to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fame not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zeller pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fame is keeping the position for now.
Zeller wants to control from the top but Fame keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fame slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fame tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zeller was well out of range. Poor timing from Fame.
Fame feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zeller's calf.
Zeller connects with a looping right hand.
Zeller lands a high kick!
Fame misses with the combination.
Fame showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zeller.
Zeller on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fame. Fame obviously looking to wear him down.
Fame throws a series of punches but Zeller moves out of range.
Zeller lands with a kick to the temple. Fame shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fame throws a jab but it's blocked by Zeller.
Zeller tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zeller moves out of range as Fame throws a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fame bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A shot to the body from Zeller misses
and Fame counters with a three punch combo that has Zeller backing up. Zeller nods at Fame to acknowledge the strikes.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fame crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zeller - the referee stops the clock and Fame gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zeller. Fame manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Fame avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zeller staying out of range there.
Zeller tries a head kick but it misses.
Zeller throws a jab but it's blocked by Fame.
Fame takes a swing at Zeller's ribcage but misses.
Fame has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zeller finds it's way round the side to connect with Fame's head.
Zeller misses with a right hand
and Fame connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zeller fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fame.
Zeller lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zeller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fame sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zeller throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cody Zeller will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lil Fame's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zeller ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Zeller drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fame manages to work his way to half guard, despite Zeller's best efforts.

Zeller is looking for a kimura but Fame is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zeller to get the leverage.

Zeller is looking for a kimura here.
Fame has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zeller is working away from the top position though.

Zeller is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Zeller is looking for a kimura but Fame is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zeller to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fame is concentrating on defense, preventing Zeller from advancing position.
Fame'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.

Zeller is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Zeller seems to be looking for submissions.
Zeller trying to control the action but Fame is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Fame's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fame is trying to control but can't.
Fame looks like he's trying to stand up.
Zeller wants to control but Fame is keeping him busy.
Fame wants to improve his position but Zeller is controlling well.
Zeller is just content to waste time from the top position. Fame takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Zeller looking to pass the guard.
Fame bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zeller's guard.
Zeller wants to sweep but no luck.
Fame slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Fame avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeller bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fame's guard.
Fame pulls Zeller in close to prevent any damage.
Fame is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zeller working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zeller slips nicely into half guard.
Fame regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zeller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zeller trying to control but Fame is working from the bottom.

Zeller drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zeller jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fame wants to stand but Zeller is controlling the position.
Zeller forces his way into half guard.

Zeller is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Zeller is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fame is just riding it out for now. Zeller eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeller thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Zeller showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lil Fame's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fame misses with a hook. Zeller ducked under it nicely.
A cross from Fame lands.
Fame avoids the head kick by Zeller.
Zeller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeller shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zeller scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fame doesn't seem bothered though.
Zeller works over Fame's head and body with a nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fame throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zeller throws a low kick, looking for Fame's leg but Fame calmly moves out of range.
Fame lands a leg kick that knocks Zeller off balance momentarily.
Fame lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zeller backs up against the cage.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Fame checks a leg kick.
Fame lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fame.
Zeller scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fame in his tracks.
Zeller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zeller misses with a looping right.
Lil Fame is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeller blocks a head kick by Fame.
Lil Fame is winning the standup battle so far.
Fame takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zeller tries to clinch up.
Zeller cracks Fame with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fame lands a leg kick that knocks Zeller off balance momentarily.
Fame moves away from the strike by Zeller.
Fame misses the shot to the body.
Zeller throws a hook but Fame avoids it easily.
Fame throws a leg kick which misses Zeller's front leg but catches the back leg as Zeller tries to avoid it.
Fame takes a swing at Zeller's ribcage but misses.
Fame uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zeller.
Fame throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zeller. Fame does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fame just misses with a punch to the body.
Lil Fame has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cody Zeller is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fame swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fame waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zeller.
Zeller pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Zeller feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fames jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
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!
Fame throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zeller.
Zeller fails with a takedown attempt.
Fame lands with a nice body punch.
No joy there for Fame, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zeller scores with a jab to the head.
Zeller's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fame displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zeller throws out the jab.
Fame keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fame tries to clinch there but Zeller circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fame throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fame throws the left hand but Zeller avoids the punch easily.
Fame misses with a double jab.
Zeller connects with a high kick.
Fame lands a body shot.
Zeller lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zeller moves in looking to clinch but Fame pushes him off.
Fame lands a nice looking body shot.
Fame misses with a wild body shot.
Fame missing with a left hand there. Zeller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fame looks to throw the jab but Zeller is out of range.
A head kick misses from Zeller.
Zeller throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeller fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lil Fame has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Zeller.
Fame takes a swing at Zeller's ribcage but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zeller throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zeller throws a head kick that half lands.
Zeller throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zeller connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fame tries to bum rush Zeller with a series of wild strikes but Zeller uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fame lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zeller throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fame's waist but Fame gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zeller off to one side.
Fame scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fame fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zeller manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lil Fame showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zeller has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cody Zeller!