PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Cluster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Zoplias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zoplias has chosen ABC-Jackson 5 as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cluster
vs
Zoplias

193 cm
24
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vincent Cluster!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Evan Zoplias!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zoplias gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Cluster jumps guard and drags Zoplias to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Zoplias postures up.

Zoplias stands up from Cluster's guard - Zoplias perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cluster keeps the fight on the outside.
Cluster half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Cluster tries to clinch up but Zoplias circles away and keeps his distance.
Cluster tries to clinch but Zoplias is having none of it.
Zoplias tries to close the distance and clinch but Cluster swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cluster lands a leg kick that knocks Zoplias off balance momentarily.
Zoplias avoids the head kick by Cluster.

Cluster clinches with his opponent.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Zoplias.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Zoplias scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Cluster as the two fighters clinch.
Cluster tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cluster is trying to break free.
Cluster tries to pull guard but Zoplias holds him up against the cage and eventually Cluster drops back down to his feet.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Zoplias scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cluster is working for takedown but Zoplias is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Cluster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
Zoplias lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Zoplias fails to land.
Cluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zoplias lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cluster backwards.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Cluster taking a breather.
Zoplias lands a left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cluster breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Evan Zoplias is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Our sources have told us that Cluster has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Zoplias blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cluster misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Cluster uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zoplias misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cluster lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zoplias lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.

Cluster breaks the clinch.

Zoplias has Cluster up against the cage in a clinch.
Cluster is trying to break the clinch but Zoplias has him pressed against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cluster tries for a takedown but Zoplias manages to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Zoplias softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Cluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cluster wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zoplias lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Cluster has had enough of the clinch but Zoplias keeps him there for the moment.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
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!
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Cluster goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zoplias prevents it.
Zoplias blocks a body shot from Cluster.
Cluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Cluster breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zoplias doesn't manage to clinch there - Cluster circles away.
Cluster tries to clinch but Zoplias moves out of range.
Cluster shoots in for a double leg but Zoplias sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Zoplias moves into the clinch.
Zoplias lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Zoplias.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Zoplias dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zoplias swats away the attempt to clinch by Cluster.
Cluster lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Cluster moves into range and clinches up with Zoplias.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Zoplias lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Evan Zoplias seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Cluster can't break the clinch.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Cluster uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Cluster wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cluster tries to break free but Zoplias pushes him back against the cage.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
Cluster is looking to control Zoplias's arms but Zoplias gets an underhook and turns him. Now Cluster has his back to the cage.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Cluster drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zoplias pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cluster misses with a low kick.
Zoplias moves out of range of the body kick.
Cluster fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cluster sets himself, and Zoplias steps forward looking for the clinch! Cluster avoids it this time.

Zoplias clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cluster backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Cluster obliges.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Cluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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!
Cluster wants to break free but Zoplias has control.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Cluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zoplias prevents Cluster from breaking the clinch.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Zoplias.
Cluster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.
Cluster is looking to break free of the clinch but Zoplias has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Zoplias lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Cluster has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
Zoplias misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cluster has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Cluster is trying to pull guard but Zoplias turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zoplias.
Zoplias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cluster backwards.
Cluster looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cluster is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cluster's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Cluster breaks from the clinch.

Zoplias drives through and clinches with Cluster against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Cluster tries a body shot but Zoplias blocks it.
A short right from Zoplias.
Cluster stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Cluster wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zoplias has him pressed against the cage.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.
Cluster looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zoplias.
A short left from Zoplias.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Zoplias showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zoplias moves into the clinch.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Cluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cluster tries to score a body lock takedown but Zoplias shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zoplias.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Cluster looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Cluster's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zoplias lands with a left to the head.
Cluster jumps guard but Zoplias stands there with Cluster around his waist. Cluster gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Cluster uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zoplias.
A short right from Zoplias.

Cluster is rocked!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cluster.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoplias prevents a body shot from Cluster.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias swings wildly with an uppercut but Cluster uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Zoplias on the inside.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Zoplias fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias misses with some punches.
Zoplias makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.
Zoplias keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cluster's efforts to push away.
Cluster can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zoplias scores with a shot to the side of Cluster's head.
Oh Cluster is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Cluster's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zoplias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zoplias throws a head punch that misses.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cluster seems to have got his legs back now.
Cluster is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cluster blocks an uppercut.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.

Cluster pulls Zoplias into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zoplias decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cluster, up you get!

Zoplias moves into the clinch successfully.
Zoplias tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Cluster will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Zoplias up against the cage.
Zoplias lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cluster escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cluster misses with a wild body shot.

Zoplias fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cluster, pushing him back against the cage.
Cluster wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zoplias has him pressed against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Zoplias.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zoplias.

Cluster breaks from the clinch.

Zoplias closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Zoplias fails to land.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cluster tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zoplias smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Cluster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zoplias fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias has a couple of punches blocked by Cluster.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cluster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zoplias has Cluster pressed against the cage, preventing Cluster from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cluster is trying to force a seperation but Zoplias has the dominant position.
Cluster fails to pull guard.
Zoplias working aggressively here.
Vincent Cluster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cluster working hard to break the clinch.
Cluster blocking some punches.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias misses with the head strike.
Zoplias lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cluster is trying to break the clinch but Zoplias is controlling him.
Cluster is trying to break free.
Zoplias softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zoplias misses with a punch on the inside.
Zoplias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cluster.

Cluster's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Evan Zoplias is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Zoplias has managed to clinch.
Zoplias blocks an elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Zoplias comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zoplias 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Zoplias!
Evan Zoplias got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'