PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Monte Zuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James DeGale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zuma
vs
DeGale

190 cm
22
255 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

198 cm
23
243 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

KAISER

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Monte Zuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, James DeGale!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeGale throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Zuma counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

DeGale is defending against the submission attempts here by Zuma.

Zuma is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, DeGale has managed to free his arm - good work.
DeGale 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.

Zuma is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so DeGale is just riding it out for now. Zuma eventually gives up the hold.
Zuma wants to control but DeGale is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zuma is trying to work for a kimura but DeGale is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuma prevents DeGale from improving his position.
DeGale gets back to full guard.

Zuma drops back looking for a leg! DeGale is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and DeGale manages to kick Zuma off! Zuma jumps back into DeGale's guard.
DeGale wants to stand and escape but Zuma is having none of it.
Zuma trying to control but DeGale is working from the bottom.
Zuma wants to pass the guard but DeGale is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zuma is working hard here to advance position.
DeGale is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zuma trying to control but DeGale is working from the bottom.
Zuma stopping the sweep attempt from DeGale.

Zuma drops back, looking for a kneebar! DeGale looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. DeGale looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from DeGale!

Zuma is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
DeGale wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zuma keeps working.
DeGale controlling from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DeGale stands up and beckons Zuma to his feet.
Zuma avoids the head kick by DeGale.
DeGale scores with a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zuma. DeGale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zuma moves out of range of the leg kick from DeGale.

DeGale clinches with his opponent.
Zuma tries to pull guard but DeGale won't allow it.

Zuma breaks the clinch.
Zuma paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zuma waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract DeGale.
DeGale lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zuma avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
DeGale gets cracked there but stands up to it.
DeGale throws a leg kick but Zuma sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zuma takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - DeGale looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeGale scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zuma ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
DeGale throws a hook but Zuma avoids it easily.
Zuma throws a looping overhand right but DeGale ducks down to avoid it.
DeGale is looking to slow Zuma down with leg kicks.
Zuma stuns DeGale with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zuma misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A lazy left from DeGale finds it's target.
Zuma misses with a hook. DeGale ducked under it nicely.
Zuma fails in his attempt to clinch.
DeGale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zuma at a distance.
DeGale throws a head kick that Zuma semi-blocks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James DeGale dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A head kick misses from DeGale.
DeGale cracks the inside of Zuma's front leg.
DeGale misses the shot to the body.
Zuma misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zuma backing away here, and DeGale unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
DeGale buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
James DeGale seems to be getting the better of the standup.
DeGale misses with a body shot.
Zuma doesn't manage to clinch there - DeGale circles away.

DeGale drives through and clinches with Zuma against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Zuma.
DeGale lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zuma prevents a body shot from DeGale.
DeGale has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
DeGale throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zuma blocks it with crossed arms.
Zuma is trying to pull guard but DeGale turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
DeGale lands with a short punch from the clinch.
DeGale is trying to break the clinch but Zuma has him pressed against the cage.
DeGale lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeGale lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zuma.
DeGale trying to control the position but instead, Zuma has worked for underhooks and has pushed DeGale into the cage.
Zuma lands with a light punch inside.

It looks like James DeGale has been cut.

DeGale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

DeGale clinches with his opponent.
Zuma throws a head punch that misses.
Zuma lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zuma is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Zuma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DeGale tries to land knees in the clinch but Zuma avoids the damage to the body.
Zuma misses with a hook to the ribs.
DeGale is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
DeGale is trying to break free.

DeGale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zuma is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zuma with a lazy takedown attempt
and DeGale makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeGale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zuma throws a hook to the side of DeGale's head but DeGale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
DeGale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
DeGale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zuma sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeGale looks to land a body kick but Zuma moved away.
Zuma avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
DeGale works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zuma checks a leg kick.
DeGale thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zuma misses the jab.
DeGale throws out a powerful jab.
Zuma tries to score a power double leg takedown but DeGale sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zuma somewhat.
DeGale lands a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuma checks the leg kick.
Nice body kick from DeGale.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters circling - DeGale throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zuma throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
DeGale lands a body shot.
DeGale throws a body shot but no joy.

DeGale has managed to clinch.
DeGale controlling the action here for a moment.

DeGale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zuma walks forward, straight into a front kick from DeGale.
DeGale misses the shot to the body.
Zuma was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Zuma takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! DeGale slams his shin into Zuma's torso.
A bone on bone clash there as Zuma blocks the leg kick.
James DeGale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A solid leg kick lands there for DeGale.

Zuma closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DeGale is pressing down on Zuma's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
DeGale wants to stand and escape but Zuma is having none of it.
Monte Zuma overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
DeGale tries to land a sweep but no joy.

DeGale has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Zuma off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
DeGale tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zuma is able to avoid easily.
Zuma shoots in for a takedown but DeGale shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zuma's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
DeGale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
DeGale lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
DeGale fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zuma.
Zuma avoids the body shot from DeGale.
DeGale ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James DeGale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James DeGale's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

DeGale cracks Zuma with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zuma avoids the head kick by DeGale.
Zuma throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around DeGale's waist but DeGale gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zuma off to one side.
DeGale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zuma stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from DeGale.
Zuma misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zuma is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Zuma blocks a head kick by DeGale.
A cross from DeGale lands.
DeGale moves out of range as Zuma strikes.
Zuma avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DeGale tests Zuma's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zuma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but DeGale was well out of range. Poor timing from Zuma.
A thudding body kick lands there by DeGale!
Zuma throws a sloppy body shot
and DeGale counters with a slapping leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zuma moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by DeGale.
Zuma throws a lazy right hand but DeGale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
DeGale stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Zuma. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuma keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by DeGale.
Zuma takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

DeGale closes the distance and clinches.
DeGale working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

DeGale breaks the clinch.
Zuma will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Zuma tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but DeGale swivels and escapes.
DeGale misses with a hook. Zuma ducked under it nicely.
DeGale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A good leg kick by DeGale.
Zuma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but DeGale was well out of range. Poor timing from Zuma.
DeGale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
DeGale scores with a leg kick.

DeGale clinches up with Zuma and pushes him back against the cage.

Zuma pulls guard.
DeGale must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

DeGale gets to his feet - Zuma follows without any prompting.
Zuma will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zuma walks forward, straight into a front kick from DeGale.
DeGale lands a leg kick that knocks Zuma off balance momentarily.
DeGale throws a wild body kick that Zuma sees coming a mile off.
DeGale cracks the inside of Zuma's front leg.
DeGale throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zuma's head.
DeGale blocks a jab.
Zuma avoids the body shot from DeGale.
DeGale lands with a shot to the body.
DeGale throws the kick towards the body but Zuma avoids it.
DeGale scores with a spinning back kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zuma walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Zuma is rocked!
DeGale scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Oh Zuma is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

DeGale forces Zuma back against the cage and clinches.
Zuma seems to have got his legs back now.

DeGale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zuma ducks down and throws a hook to the body but DeGale moves away.
DeGale connects with a body shot that sends Zuma's belly button to the back.

DeGale forces Zuma back against the cage and clinches.

DeGale manages to break the clinch.
DeGale scores with a kick to the midsection.
DeGale connects with a body shot that sends Zuma's belly button to the back.
Zuma takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Good leg kick by DeGale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zuma on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

DeGale drops Zuma with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Zuma looks back up at him and smiles so DeGale waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
DeGale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Zuma on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zuma takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeGale cracks Zuma with a hook to the temple - Zuma is on wobbly legs here! DeGale swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Zuma falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! DeGale wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). James DeGale!
A relieved looking James DeGale thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.