PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Clint Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chong Zhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhu has chosen Meet Gazoo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Chong Zhu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cartwright
vs
Zhu

170 cm
21
141 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

166 cm
28
146 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Beaver Jooce!
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Clint Cartwright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chong Zhu!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartwright tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zhu swivels and escapes.
Zhu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cartwright stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zhu.
Zhu jabs at Cartwright's body.
Cartwright takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zhu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cartwright. Cartwright circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zhu throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Cartwright counters with a shoot takedown. Zhu fights it but they end up in guard.

Zhu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cartwright can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhu controls Cartwright momentarily but Cartwright frees himself.

Zhu is looking for a triangle but Cartwright pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zhu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cartwright is aware though and is defending well.
We've been hearing that Cartwright has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Zhu has his hands on Cartwright's head, controlling the position.
Cartwright wants to control from the top but Zhu keeps moving.
Zhu working a defensive guard here.

Zhu is looking for a triangle but Cartwright pushes his legs off easily.
Cartwright sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Zhu's guard.
Cartwright is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhu is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cartwright looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Zhu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cartwright wants to free his trapped foot but Zhu is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Cartwright seems to be looking for submissions.
Zhu is not content to let Cartwright control the position.
Zhu is doing well to control the position and prevent Cartwright from advancing to side control.
Zhu felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Cartwright is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhu trying to control but Cartwright postures up.

Cartwright is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhu has managed to free his arm - good work.
Zhu is refusing to be controlled, as Cartwright sits in half guard.
Zhu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cartwright is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhu is trying to get back to full guard.
Cartwright trying to control the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Zhu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cartwright moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zhu swings for the body but Cartwright moves out of range.
Cartwright has a takedown stuffed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhu! But no joy.
Zhu misses with a body kick.
Zhu thumps Cartwright with a low kick.
Cartwright keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zhu.
Zhu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cartwright chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zhu can pounce on him.
Zhu throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zhu.
Chong Zhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cartwright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zhu.
Cartwright fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chong Zhu dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zhu looks to land a left hand but Cartwright moved out of range nicely.
An inside leg kick lands from Zhu.
Zhu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhu throws a shot to the body.
Cartwright looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zhu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cartwright on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice uppercut there from Zhu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhu looks to land a body kick but Cartwright moved away.
Zhu cracks Cartwright with a good jab.
Zhu with a jab.
Cartwright goes for a double leg but Zhu avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zhu continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clint Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartwright tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zhu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cartwright somewhat.
Zhu flicks out a counter leg kick but Cartwright steps away.
Zhu jabs Cartwright to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zhu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cartwright under the eye.
Cartwright shoots and misses
and Zhu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cartwright takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cartwright moves out of range of the body kick from Zhu.
Cartwright avoids the head kick by Zhu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhu lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Zhu connects with a body shot that sends Cartwright's belly button to the back.
Zhu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Zhu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cartwright shoots in looking for a takedown. Zhu tries to sprawl out of it but Cartwright keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zhu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cartwright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cartwright tries for a takedown but Zhu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright drops his hands momentarily and Zhu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Cartwright checks a leg kick.
Cartwright walks into a stiff left hand from Zhu.
Zhu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zhu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cartwright has time to react.
Cartwright darts in looking for a takedown but Zhu gets double underhooks and turns Cartwright into the cage.
Cartwright throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhu's waist but Zhu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cartwright off to one side.
Zhu keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zhu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cartwright. Cartwright circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhu lands a glancing blow to the side of Cartwright's head.
Zhu looks to land a body kick but Cartwright moved away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zhu - that will leave a mark!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhu scores with a nice right hand.
Zhu lands a leg kick that knocks Cartwright off balance momentarily.
Zhu lands an overhand right.
Zhu connects with a solid leg kick.
Zhu throws a lazy right hand but Cartwright sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhu walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cartwright checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
No joy there for Zhu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cartwright changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Cartwright is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cartwright moves away from the strike by Zhu.
Nice sprawl there from Zhu as Cartwright shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chong Zhu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zhu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cartwright looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zhu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zhu throws a hook to the side of Cartwright's head but Cartwright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhu throws a body shot but no joy.
Chong Zhu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some wild striking there from Zhu.
A good leg kick by Zhu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright has his takedown stuffed
and Zhu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Zhu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clint Cartwright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartwright takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zhu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cartwright looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zhu throws a leg kick which misses Cartwright's front leg but catches the back leg as Cartwright tries to avoid it.
Zhu lands a nice looking body shot.
Cartwright gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zhu.
Cartwright misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zhu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cartwright sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zhu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A telegraphed right hand from Zhu misses the target.
Chong Zhu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhu misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhu lunges at Cartwright with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cartwright's hand.
Cartwright walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
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!
Zhu cracks Cartwright with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
An inside leg kick lands from Zhu.
That kick from Zhu tenderised Cartwright's leg. Cartwright is trying to keep his angry face on.
A clash of legs there as Cartwright blocks the low kick.
Cartwright half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cartwright sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zhu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cartwright. Cartwright circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cartwright keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cartwright attempts a counter takedown but Zhu avoids it well and moves away.
Zhu connects with a right hand. Cartwright shakes it off.
Zhu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zhu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zhu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cartwright tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Zhu manages to circle out of the way.
Zhu lands a slapping body shot.
Zhu throws a low kick, looking for Cartwright's leg but Cartwright calmly moves out of range.
Zhu scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cartwright looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Cartwright takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Chong Zhu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cartwright shoots in for a takedown but Zhu shows good takedown defense.
Zhu lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cartwright's sensitive parts.
Zhu lands a slapping body shot.
Zhu connects with a nice looking jab.
Zhu misses with a head kick.
Cartwright half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Clint Cartwright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright shoots for a takedown but Zhu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhu is looking to slow Cartwright down with leg kicks.
Cartwright takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zhu digs a good hook to Cartwright's body.
Cartwright on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zhu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Cartwright dives in and grabs Zhu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zhu pushes down on Cartwright's head and hops out.
Zhu lands a head kick. Cartwright smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Zhu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zhu thumps Cartwright with a low kick.
Zhu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chong Zhu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zhu 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 25:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 25:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chong Zhu!
An out of breath and clearly excited Chong Zhu thanked Fury Nutrition Inc. for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).