PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between LeBron James (ranked 3149 p4p, 305 weight class) and Alexander Zuev (ranked 21500 p4p, 486 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

James
vs
Zuev

203 cm
20
265 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

210 cm
21
280 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, LeBron James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Zuev!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zuev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
James wants to control but Zuev is keeping him busy.
James happy to just control the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zuev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, James asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zuev keeps working.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zuev has escaped the position, nice work there.
James creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Zuev sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
James taking a breather here.
James tries to move to mount but Zuev blocks the move with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
James trying to control the action but Zuev is working from the bottom.

James wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zuev, who protects the arm well.
James is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Zuev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but James has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

James closes the distance and pushes Zuev back into the ropes.
Zuev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zuev working hard to break the clinch.
Zuev is pressed up against the ropes. James has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zuev down to the mat. Zuev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

James darts in and clinches Zuev up against the ropes.
A hook to the body from Zuev.
James is looking to take this one to the mat.

Zuev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LeBron James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zuev defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LeBron James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James drives through with a takedown into guard.
James stops Zuev from standing up.

James has gone for a leg lock! Zuev slips out almost immediately though and dives into James's guard.

Zuev stops James from standing up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zuev wanted to stand there but James had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LeBron James dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zuev gets tackled into the ropes by James. James maintains the clinch.
Zuev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zuev stops a takedown attempt from James.
Our sources have told us that James has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Zuev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zuev is trying to push James away but James has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
James drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zuev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
James drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zuev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LeBron James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuev has a couple of punches blocked by James.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zuev gets underhooks to prevent James's takedown attempt.

Zuev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like LeBron James has been cut.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuev is pressed up against the ropes. James has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zuev down to the mat. Zuev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zuev has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as James is landing a low percentage of strikes.
James walks into a left hand.

Zuev has taken the fight to the clinch.
James misses with some punches.

Zuev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
James looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zuev is fending him off so far but James persists. Nope, Zuev circles away and we're back to standing.

James looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
James looking to sit in guard and control but Zuev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

James wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James has a closed guard, preventing Zuev from standing up.
Zuev won't allow James to sweep him here.
Zuev wants to stand and escape but instead James has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
James wants to pass the guard but Zuev is keeping the position.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Zuev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James controlling from the top position.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Zuev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zuev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zuev but Zuev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
James is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Zuev thows a left - swing and a miss!

James feints and as Zuev raises his hands in defense, James changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zuev keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
Zuev keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Zuev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on LeBron James's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

James shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zuev defends it nicely.
Zuev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zuev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
James on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Zuev swats away the attempt to clinch by James.
James fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Zuev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zuev cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
Zuev misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
James changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zuev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Zuev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice defenses there by James.
James tries to clinch
letting Zuev counter with a right hand.
Zuev lands with a hook. James tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

LeBron James's cut is getting worse.
Alexander Zuev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zuev defends well and James ends up having to push Zuev into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zuev throws out a counter right but James avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LeBron James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zuev catches James with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zuev throws a big shot that misses.
James dodges the punch combination from Zuev.
James changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Zuev misses the target.
LeBron James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Zuev is just out of range.
Zuev circles away from the clinch attempt.

James closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zuev gets underhooks to prevent James's takedown attempt.
James lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Alexander Zuev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zuev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but James has him pressed against the ropes.
James has Zuev pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Zuev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zuev is trying to break the clinch but James has him pressed against the ropes.

Zuev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Zuev. No joy for James on that attempt.
Zuev throws a body punch but James moves out of range.
James looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zuev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

James shoots in and gets a takedown into Zuev's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James won't allow Zuev to get back to his feet.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Zuev is retaining full guard.
Zuev wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James wants to control from the top but Zuev keeps moving.
James chips away with some ground and pound.
Alexander Zuev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zuev keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Alexander Zuev seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
James tries to clinch up
letting Zuev counter with a right hand.
Zuev has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Zuev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as James throws out the jab.
James gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zuev.
James walks into a jab.
James with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zuev counters with a nice uppercut.
Zuev connects with the punch.
James swings and misses with a hook to the body.
James misses with a left hand
and Zuev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Zuev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zuev throws out a counter right but James avoids it with no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Zuev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zuev 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 Chris Downing scores the fight for Alexander Zuev!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Alexander Zuev!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Alexander Zuev!

Alexander Zuev wins by unanimous decision!