PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lenny Astro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and ZaZa Mutombo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mutombo has chosen Wyclef Jean - 911 as his entrance music. 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?

Astro
vs
Mutombo

189 cm
30
196 lbs
15 - 10 - 1

185 cm
29
190 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
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 15 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lenny Astro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, ZaZa Mutombo!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mutombo shoots in for a double leg but Astro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Astro throws a low kick but Mutombo avoids it.
That kick from Astro tenderised Mutombo's leg. Mutombo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Astro throws out a loose jab but Mutombo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mutombo slips a straight right by Astro.
Astro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mutombo cracks Astro with an open hand slap.
Nice defenses there by Mutombo.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Astro.
A clash of legs there as Mutombo blocks the low kick.
Mutombo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mutombo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutombo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Astro works Mutombo's body with a nice hook.
Mutombo lands a slapping body shot.
A jab from Astro misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mutombo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Astro takes a step back to recover.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Astro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And Astro counters with a quick kick to the body but Mutombo blocks it.
Astro misses with a hook.
Mutombo slips a straight right by Astro.
Mutombo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Astro lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Astro scoring well with a low kick there.
Astro tries to score with a low kick but Mutombo moves his leg out of the way.
Mutombo throws out a counter right but Astro avoids it with no problem.
Mutombo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Astro in his tracks.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Astro. Mutombo shrugs it off though.
The crowd cheers as Astro lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mutombo doesn't seem phased though.
Mutombo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fighters circling - Astro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Astro.
Mutombo walks into a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astro will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Astro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Mutombo misses.
Astro connects with a right hand. Mutombo shakes it off.
Mutombo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Astro half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
An inside leg kick from Mutombo misses.
Astro tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mutombo is able to avoid easily.
Mutombo scores with a jab to the body.
Astro throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Mutombo throws a wild body kick that Astro sees coming a mile off.
Mutombo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Astro.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Astro, right into the meat.
Mutombo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Astro circles away quickly and effectively.
Astro misses the shot to the body.
Mutombo with the counter takedown but Astro avoids it easily.
Astro lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mutombo checks the leg kick.
Mutombo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Astro lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mutombo throws a hook but Astro avoids it easily.
Astro throws a quick counter kick to the body but Mutombo avoids it.
Astro shoots in for a takedown but Mutombo shows good takedown defense.
Mutombo tries a head kick but it misses.
Astro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mutombo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mutombo avoids the body shot from Astro.
Astro avoids the body shot from Mutombo.
Astro throws a wild body kick that Mutombo sees coming a mile off.
Astro looks to throw the jab but Mutombo is out of range.
Mutombo feints the counter takedown.
Mutombo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mutombo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Astro misses with a kick to the body.
A big right from Astro misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Astro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Astro throws a hook but Mutombo blocks it.
Astro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mutombo moves out of range of the body kick.
Astro throws a hook to the side of Mutombo's head but Mutombo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Astro connects with a single shot there.
Mutombo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Astro was well out of range. Poor timing from Mutombo.
Astro takes a swing at Mutombo's ribcage but misses.
Mutombo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Astro. Astro obviously looking to wear him down.
The fighters circle momentarily. Astro darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Astro throws a shot from downtown. Mutombo moves away and avoids it.
Astro clobbers Mutombo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Astro connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mutombo. Mutombo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mutombo throws an overhand right that lands on Astro's shoulder, as Astro tries to avoid the shot.
A cross from Astro lands.
Astro slips a straight right by Mutombo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Astro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Astro connects with a solid leg kick.
Mutombo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mutombo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mutombo takes a swing at Astro's ribcage but misses.
Astro motions for Mutombo to come forward. Astro throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Astro on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lenny Astro is winning the standup battle so far.
Mutombo throws a right hand that Astro ducks under and follows up with a left that Astro also avoids with ease.
Astro looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Astro jabs Mutombo right on the nose. Mutombo blinks but takes it well.
Good work by Mutombo as he checks the leg kick.
Astro throws a body shot but no joy.
Astro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mutombo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Astro scores with a jab to the body.
Astro throws a body kick that misses.
Astro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Astro lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mutombo looking to score a takedown here. Astro is defending well but Mutombo drives through and ends up in Astro's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mutombo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mutombo is thwarting Astro's attempts to control the position.
Astro avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mutombo.
Astro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mutombo is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Astro is trying to stand up here but Mutombo is controlling him well.
Mutombo trying to pass the guard but Astro defending well.
Mutombo moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo cracks Astro with a big right hand but Astro just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Astro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Mutombo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Mutombo scoring with punches and elbows.
Astro is not content to let Mutombo control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Astro is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Astro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mutombo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Astro is working hard here to advance position.
Astro looking for a sweep but Mutombo has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mutombo cracks Astro with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Lenny Astro has been cut.
Mutombo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Astro can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astro is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mutombo with the ground and pound from mount.
Mutombo raining down shots from the mount!
Mutombo landing strikes from the mount.
Mutombo lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

ZaZa Mutombo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lenny Astro's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Astro lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Astro.
Astro throws a nice head kick!
Mutombo slips a jab from Astro.
Astro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mutombo sprawls well. Mutombo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Astro gets slowly back to his feet.
Mutombo connects with a leg kick. Astro looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mutombo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Astro manages to avoid it.
Mutombo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutombo misses with a looping right.
Mutombo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mutombo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Astro looks to land a left hand but Mutombo moved out of range nicely.
Astro swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Mutombo.
Mutombo fails to land with a series of punches.
Astro avoids the body shot from Mutombo.
Mutombo connects with a crisp jab.
Astro throws a big shot that misses.
Mutombo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Astro.
Astro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mutombo moves away.
Mutombo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A swing and a miss from Mutombo.
Astro ducks under a wild hook from Mutombo.
A cross from Astro lands.
Astro connects with a leg kick. Mutombo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Mutombo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Astro connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mutombo scrambles back to his feet.
Astro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mutombo throws a series of punches but Astro moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo throws a half hearted mid kick.
A jab from Mutombo misses.
Astro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mutombo was well out of range. Poor timing from Astro.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mutombo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mutombo feints the counter takedown.
Astro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A leg kick checked by Mutombo.
Astro scores with a leg kick.
Astro moves out of range of the leg kick from Mutombo.
Astro misses with a low kick.
Astro thumps Mutombo with a low kick.
Mutombo just misses with a punch to the body.
Mutombo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Astro slips under a jab from Mutombo.
Mutombo misses with a body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Astro. That snapped Mutombo's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astro steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mutombo.
Astro throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mutombo defending well as Astro loads up on a big left hand.
And Mutombo tries to counter it with a takedown but Astro pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mutombo ducks under a wild hook from Astro.
Astro misses with a body shot.
Astro misses with a hook to the body

and Mutombo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Astro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Astro keeping moving, preventing Mutombo from controlling successfully.
Mutombo passes into half guard.
Astro is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astro is looking to control Mutombo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Astro avoid being mounted?
Mutombo drops an elbow to the side of Astro's head.
Astro blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mutombo.
Mutombo trying to control the action but Astro is working from the bottom.
Astro moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mutombo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to ZaZa Mutombo.
I think Mutombo 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... ZaZa Mutombo!
A very excited looking ZaZa Mutombo 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.