PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lei Zhang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Westerberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhang comes to the ring accompanied by Denzel Curry - Ultimate. 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?

Zhang
vs
Westerberg

172 cm
19
157 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Shinobi

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Lei Zhang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gunnar Westerberg!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhang misses with a low kick.
Westerberg let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zhang thumps Westerberg with a low kick.
Good leg kick by Zhang there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zhang.
Westerberg has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Zhang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Westerberg releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Zhang uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Westerberg.
Zhang thinks about countering with a body kick.
Zhang misses with the body kick
and Westerberg counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lei Zhang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Westerberg avoids a kick to the body.
Westerberg doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang tries to land a body kick
and Westerberg counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've been told by Zhang's head coaches at Forest Hill Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Westerberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zhang.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westerberg lands a right hook to the body.
Westerberg blocks the body kick.
Westerberg moves out of range as Zhang throws a body kick.
Zhang misses with a low kick.
Westerberg let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zhang throws a sloppy head kick and Westerberg moves out of range easily.
Westerberg let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Westerberg throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zhang lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Westerberg throws a hook to the side of Zhang's head but Zhang sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zhang throws a counter high kick but Westerberg was just alert enough to avoid it.
Westerberg connects with a jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Westerberg crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zhang - the referee stops the clock and Westerberg gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zhang. Westerberg manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Westerberg throws a hook but Zhang avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Westerberg moves out of range of the body kick.
Westerberg digs a good hook to Zhang's body.
Westerberg misses the shot to the body.
Zhang misses with a body kick.
Zhang throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Westerberg to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Westerberg lands a lovely overhand right.
Zhang throws a head kick that misses.
Westerberg scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zhang connects with an inside leg kick.
Zhang feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Westerberg's calf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zhang.
Westerberg avoids the head kick by Zhang.
Westerberg connects with a looping right hand.
A head kick misses from Zhang.
A low kick from Zhang is predictable there
and Westerberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zhang lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zhang throws a head kick that misses
and Zhang takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zhang throws a body kick that misses
and Westerberg counters with a nice uppercut.
Zhang looks to land a body kick but Westerberg moved away.
Zhang throws a head kick but Westerberg moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Westerberg to score with a decent uppercut.
Zhang connects with a leg kick. Westerberg looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhang throws a body kick that misses
and Westerberg counters with a stiff right hand.
Zhang throws a low kick but it's checked well by Westerberg.
Westerberg let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Westerberg checks the leg kick.
Zhang looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Westerberg throws a right and a left that Zhang avoids nicely.
Zhang appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zhang throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Westerberg is looking for the big counter here.
Westerberg with a hook.
Zhang tries to score with a low kick but Westerberg moves his leg out of the way.
It seemed like Westerberg was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Westerberg throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zhang on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Westerberg dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zhang throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Westerberg let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Westerberg blocks the body kick.
It seemed like Westerberg was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zhang throws a leg kick
and Westerberg cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Some bone on bone action there as Westerberg checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Westerberg throws a body shot but no joy.
Westerberg misses with a looping left.
Zhang scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Westerberg lands a body shot.
Zhang throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zhang needs to keep his hands up - Westerberg had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westerberg connects with a body shot that sends Zhang's belly button to the back.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Westerberg, as that shot connected.
Zhang throws a push kick but Westerberg slaps the foot to one side.
Westerberg thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zhang seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Westerberg misses the shot to the body.
Zhang gets off balance looking for a body kick
enabling Westerberg to counter with a crisp jab.
Westerberg misses the shot to the body.
Westerberg chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zhang can pounce on him.
Zhang looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Westerberg digs a good hook to Zhang's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Zhang
and Westerberg counters with a left to the body.
Zhang takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zhang throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Westerberg counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Westerberg moves out of range of the leg kick from Zhang.
Westerberg throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zhang attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Westerberg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Westerberg misses with a wild body shot.
Zhang takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Westerberg's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zhang under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westerberg lunges at Zhang with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zhang's hand.
Zhang throws a front kick aimed at Westerberg's knee but Westerberg avoids it well.
Westerberg takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Zhang finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Westerberg is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Zhang with a body shot.
Westerberg blocks the body kick.
Westerberg looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Westerberg moves out of range of the body kick from Zhang.
Westerberg throws a hook but Zhang avoids it easily.
Westerberg lands a jab to Zhang's midsection.
Zhang tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Westerberg counter with a right hand.
Zhang throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Westerberg to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Westerberg is out of range.
Zhang looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Zhang fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Westerberg is out of range.
Westerberg now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Westerberg on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zhang. Zhang obviously looking to wear him down.
Westerberg lands a right hook to the body.
Zhang is looking to chop away at Westerberg's legs.
Gunnar Westerberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Westerberg scores with a jab to the body.
Westerberg throws a hook but Zhang avoids it easily.
Zhang throws a quick counter kick to the body but Westerberg avoids it.
Westerberg blocks a head kick by Zhang.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Westerberg! But no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Westerberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Westerberg walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zhang.
Zhang tries a low kick but Westerberg avoids it.
Westerberg now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A lazy body kick from Zhang
and Westerberg counters with a stiff right hand.
Westerberg throws a right hand that misses
and Zhang counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Westerberg misses with a wild body shot.
Westerberg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Westerberg avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A nice side step and Westerberg releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Zhang moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang doesn't manage to clinch there - Westerberg circles away.
Westerberg's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zhang under the eye.
Zhang blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhang takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zhang looks to throw a body kick
and Westerberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Westerberg 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.
Westerberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zhang takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Westerberg jabs at Zhang's body.
A good leg kick by Zhang.
Westerberg misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zhang looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Westerberg missing with a left hand there. Zhang was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Westerberg scores with a hook to the body. Zhang takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Westerberg scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zhang in his tracks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Westerberg scores with a nice head shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Westerberg checks a leg kick.
Zhang misses with a head kick.
Zhang finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zhang misses with the body kick
and Westerberg counters with a straight right hand.
Zhang throws a body kick that misses
and Westerberg counters with a nice uppercut.
Westerberg lands with a hook. Zhang tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zhang takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zhang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zhang throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Westerberg swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As Westerberg tries to get set, Zhang tries to push him back and clinch up but Westerberg manages to avoid the attempt.
Zhang throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lei Zhang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gunnar Westerberg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That kick from Zhang tenderised Westerberg's leg. Westerberg is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhang throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Westerberg appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Zhang slips under a jab.
Zhang throws a head kick but Westerberg moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Westerberg! But no joy.
Westerberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang ducks under a wild hook from Westerberg.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zhang. That's going to slow Westerberg down.
Zhang looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Westerberg lands with a shot to the body.
Zhang is looking to land body kicks.
Westerberg lands a nice looking body shot.
Zhang gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Westerberg counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zhang throws a head kick but Westerberg moves out of range.
Zhang looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A nice side step and Westerberg releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Zhang looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Westerberg looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zhang misses with a leg kick
and Westerberg counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Westerberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Westerberg has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Westerberg!
A very excited looking Gunnar Westerberg 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.
In defeat, Lei Zhang stepped up to the mic, saying 'Man, Westerberg is a tough bastard. I knew that coming into this fight but still - all credit to him. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but I'll be back.'.