PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tam Zeus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Pitsenbarger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeus comes to the cage accompanied by Open Road. Bill Pitsenbarger told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Zeus
vs
Pitsenbarger

178 cm
34
199 lbs
23 - 10 - 1

190 cm
35
195 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tam Zeus!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bill Pitsenbarger!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeus throws a body shot but no joy.
Pitsenbarger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a low kick.
Bill Pitsenbarger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zeus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pitsenbarger.
Zeus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pitsenbarger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses.
Zeus with a hook.
Zeus checks a low kick from Pitsenbarger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zeus blocks the body kick.
Pitsenbarger wants to clinch.
Zeus misses with a lunging right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice body shot.
Zeus misses with a left hand
and Pitsenbarger counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger misses with a wild body shot.
Pitsenbarger takes a swing at Zeus's ribcage but misses.
Pitsenbarger tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zeus misses with a hook.
Pitsenbarger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pitsenbarger 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.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
and Pitsenbarger counters with a big head kick but Zeus shrugs it off.
Zeus takes one on the button.
Pitsenbarger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zeus closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pitsenbarger to the mat! Pitsenbarger manages to get full guard.
Pitsenbarger is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zeus might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Pitsenbarger scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pitsenbarger throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Pitsenbarger is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Zeus rather than just go for the knockout.
Zeus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger scores with the left hand. Zeus knows he should have avoided that one.
Zeus lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Bill Pitsenbarger has been cut.
Pitsenbarger lands a head shot.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zeus's knee momentarily.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Zeus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus misses with a looping left.

Pitsenbarger clinches up with Zeus and pushes him back against the cage.
Zeus is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pitsenbarger is defending well.
Zeus is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zeus tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tam Zeus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zeus jumps guard but Pitsenbarger stands there with Zeus around his waist. Zeus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zeus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pitsenbarger just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zeus drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zeus tries for a takedown but Pitsenbarger manages to get underhooks.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeus misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pitsenbarger blocks a jab.
Pitsenbarger on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pitsenbarger swings for the body but Zeus moves out of range.
Pitsenbarger swings for the body but Zeus moves out of range.
Zeus takes a shot right to the bread basket.
That kick from Pitsenbarger tenderised Zeus's leg. Zeus is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zeus looks for a takedown but Pitsenbarger sprawls well.
Zeus dives in and grabs Pitsenbarger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pitsenbarger pushes down on Zeus's head and hops out.
Pitsenbarger ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zeus misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Pitsenbarger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zeus swings widly with a right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Zeus throws a nice looking combination but Pitsenbarger bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pitsenbarger jabs at Zeus's body.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body shot.
Pitsenbarger looks to score with a jab to the body but Zeus is just out of range.
Pitsenbarger has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zeus throws a big shot that misses.
Zeus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zeus throws a body punch but Pitsenbarger moves out of range.
Pitsenbarger ducks under a wild hook from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zeus misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger connects with a body shot.
Zeus misses with a right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a good low kick that Zeus was not able to check.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body shot

and Zeus counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pitsenbarger won't be happy with that.
Pitsenbarger is being controlled here.
Pitsenbarger is pushing Zeus's head away, looking to escape. Zeus manages to hold on to the position though.
Zeus is looking to take a break and control but Pitsenbarger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pitsenbarger wants to get back to his feet but Zeus drags him back down.
Pitsenbarger regains half guard there - taking advantage of Zeus's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Pitsenbarger wants to control but Zeus is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeus is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pitsenbarger doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zeus.
Zeus stops Pitsenbarger from getting back to his feet.
Pitsenbarger wants to get back to full guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zeus is working for a submission of some sort.
Pitsenbarger is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Zeus jumps into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zeus has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zeus wants to control but Pitsenbarger is keeping him busy.
Pitsenbarger wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zeus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pitsenbarger lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zeus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pitsenbarger lands a head kick!
An inside leg kick from Pitsenbarger misses.
A shot to the body from Pitsenbarger misses

and Zeus counters with a shoot takedown. Pitsenbarger fights it but they end up in guard.
Pitsenbarger is looking to stand up but Zeus isn't so interested in that idea.
Zeus tries to free his leg and advance position but Pitsenbarger is retaining full guard.
Pitsenbarger is looking to stand up but Zeus isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tam Zeus will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pitsenbarger moves out of range of the strikes.
Zeus lands a glancing blow to the side of Pitsenbarger's head.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice straight punches there by Pitsenbarger. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger lands a really nice looking cross but Zeus seems unphased.
Donk. Pitsenbarger catches Zeus right on the button with a cross.
Zeus is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Pitsenbarger's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Pitsenbarger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pitsenbarger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zeus manages to avoid it.
Zeus is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pitsenbarger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zeus. That did some damage!
Zeus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pitsenbarger defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zeus avoids the body shot from Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger moves out of range as Zeus strikes.
Pitsenbarger darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Pitsenbarger with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pitsenbarger looks to land a body kick but Zeus moved away.
Pitsenbarger has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zeus checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zeus walks into a straight right hand from Pitsenbarger.
Zeus misses with an uppercut. Pitsenbarger saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger throws a chopping leg kick but Zeus manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice body shot.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
and Pitsenbarger counters with a good low kick that Zeus was not able to check.
Zeus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zeus tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pitsenbarger defends well and Zeus ends up having to push Pitsenbarger into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zeus tries to pull guard but Pitsenbarger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tam Zeus. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pitsenbarger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zeus rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice body shot.
Pitsenbarger connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses.
Pitsenbarger works Zeus's body with a nice hook.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
and Pitsenbarger makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Pitsenbarger cracks the inside of Zeus's front leg.
Zeus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pitsenbarger as he avoids it easily.
Zeus on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zeus blocks the body kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a leg kick

and Zeus counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zeus.
Pitsenbarger wants to stand up but Zeus is controlling him.
Zeus trying to control the position from guard on top but Pitsenbarger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger wants to get back to his feet but Zeus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pitsenbarger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zeus's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pitsenbarger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zeus is proving hard to escape from.
Zeus keeping moving, preventing Pitsenbarger from controlling successfully.
Zeus trying to keep a closed guard but Pitsenbarger is proving a slippery customer.
Pitsenbarger wants to stand but Zeus has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pitsenbarger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zeus looking for a sweep. Not yet Zeus, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Pitsenbarger really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zeus swings widly with a right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a two punch combo.
Zeus throws an off balance right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice leg kick.
Zeus avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Zeus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zeus avoids the body shot from Pitsenbarger.
Zeus is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Pitsenbarger digs a good body shot into Zeus's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pitsenbarger jabs Zeus to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Pitsenbarger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pitsenbarger is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Zeus fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zeus misses with a lunging right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with an outside leg kick.
Zeus throws an off balance right hand
and Pitsenbarger cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Pitsenbarger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger lands with a nice body kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Pitsenbarger lands the left hand.
Zeus punishes Pitsenbarger's body with a nice straight punch.
Pitsenbarger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zeus shoots in but Pitsenbarger avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeus blocks a head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zeus misses with a left hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a head kick. That will keep Zeus thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Pitsenbarger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zeus.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pitsenbarger fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zeus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pitsenbarger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zeus's calf.
Pitsenbarger digs a good body shot into Zeus's ribs.
Pitsenbarger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zeus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zeus throws a right hand that misses
enabling Pitsenbarger to counter with a crisp jab.
Pitsenbarger throws a body shot but no joy.
Pitsenbarger pushes Zeus away with a front kick.
Zeus misses with a left hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Zeus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zeus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger scores with a jab to the head.
Zeus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tam Zeus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pitsenbarger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zeus manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger connects with a body shot that sends Zeus's belly button to the back.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger is looking to land body kicks.
A punch combination from Pitsenbarger misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zeus missing with a left hand there. Pitsenbarger was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pitsenbarger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zeus moves away.
Pitsenbarger uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger works the jab nicely.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Pitsenbarger dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zeus throws a hook but Pitsenbarger avoids it easily.
Zeus throws an overhand right that lands on Pitsenbarger's shoulder, as Pitsenbarger tries to avoid the shot.
Zeus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pitsenbarger.
Zeus misses with a hook.
Zeus lands a jab.
Pitsenbarger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big right from Zeus misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pitsenbarger lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zeus has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zeus and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bill Pitsenbarger seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeus takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Pitsenbarger throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Pitsenbarger fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zeus manages to avoid it.
Zeus fails with a takedown attempt.
Pitsenbarger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zeus's head.
Zeus misses with a straight right.
Pitsenbarger punishes Zeus's body with a nice straight punch.
Pitsenbarger throws a body shot but no joy.
Tam Zeus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Pitsenbarger enables Zeus to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Pitsenbarger manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Zeus won't allow Pitsenbarger to get back to his feet.
Zeus controls from within his opponent's guard.
Pitsenbarger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zeus manages to get himself to full guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Pitsenbarger passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Zeus is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Zeus manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger tries to kick Zeus off but Zeus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pitsenbarger wants to sweep but Zeus has passed to side control!
Zeus lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on Pitsenbarger's face as Zeus controls the position.
Pitsenbarger is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zeus asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zeus remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Pitsenbarger is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Zeus is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Bill Pitsenbarger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tam Zeus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pitsenbarger is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Pitsenbarger taking shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zeus lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Zeus is landing with some decent strikes but Pitsenbarger is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Pitsenbarger really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tam Zeus showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pitsenbarger 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 47:49
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Pitsenbarger!
Bill Pitsenbarger is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Bill Pitsenbarger made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.