PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ray Luciano (ranked 2896 p4p, 1982 weight class) and Bombo Zola (ranked 364 p4p, 264 weight class). Zola has chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9V78UbdzWI as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Luciano
vs
Zola

187 cm
19
187
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
188
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ray Luciano!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bombo Zola!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luciano throws a push kick but Zola slaps the foot to one side.
Luciano throws a lazy right hand but Zola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zola connects with a single shot there.
Zola lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Luciano at a distance.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Zola walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Luciano misses with a straight right.
Zola takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zola misses the jab.
Zola scores with a body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Luciano finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zola throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luciano sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Luciano misses with a hook.
Luciano pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zola back to the ropes. Luciano follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano misses with a hook. Zola ducked under it nicely.
Zola misses with a straight left.
Luciano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice body kick there by Luciano.
Zola uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Luciano.
Zola jabs Luciano right on the nose. Luciano blinks but takes it well.
Zola takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Zola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano misses with a straight right.
Zola throws a big shot that misses.
Luciano lands a slapping body shot.
Zola has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nice shot by Zola.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Luciano misses with a body shot.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zola walks into a stiff left hand from Luciano.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Zola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
It seemed like Zola was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A jab from Zola misses.
Luciano scores with a jab. Zola acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zola throws a lazy right hand but Luciano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luciano quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Luciano throws a low kick, looking for Zola's leg but Zola calmly moves out of range.
A nice leg kick from Luciano, right into the meat of the thigh.
A big right from Luciano misses.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luciano misses with a body shot.
Zola moves out of range of the strikes.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zola.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luciano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zola lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Zola slips under a jab from Luciano.
A countering left hand to the body from Zola misses.
Zola looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
Zola lands with a good body shot.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Zola's head but Zola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luciano lands with a cross.
Good work by Zola as he checks the leg kick.
Luciano scores with a jab to the body.
Luciano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zola.
Luciano jabs at Zola's body.
Luciano misses with a straight right.
Luciano throws a quick inside leg kick.
Luciano connects with the punch.
Luciano slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Luciano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zola.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
Luciano looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Luciano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zola.
Zola lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Luciano at a distance.
Bombo Zola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luciano swings for the body but Zola moves out of range.
Zola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with the combination.
Luciano misses with a kick to the body.
Zola connects with a body shot.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luciano takes a swing at Zola's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Zola was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zola defending well as Luciano loads up on a big left hand.
Luciano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zola misses with a straight right.
Luciano throws a leg kick that misses.
Luciano is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Luciano misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
A punch combination from Zola misses.
Luciano lands with an uppercut that bounces Zola off the ropes and back into range.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Zola moved out of range.
Luciano throws an overhand right that lands on Zola's shoulder, as Zola tries to avoid the shot.
Zola throws the left hand but Luciano avoids the punch easily.
Luciano tries a low kick but Zola avoids it.
A big right from Luciano misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zola lands with an overhand left.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zola swings for the body but Luciano moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Luciano tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Luciano misses with a hook. Zola ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Zola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luciano slips a jab from Zola.
Luciano is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Luciano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Luciano misses with a looping left.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Luciano on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Zola throws a body punch but Luciano moves out of range.
Zola bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Luciano lands with a nice body kick.
Zola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Luciano lands a jab-cross combination.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Luciano lands a body shot.
Luciano missing with a left hand there. Zola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zola throws a lazy right hand but Luciano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luciano is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Luciano dominated that round.
That's time! Luciano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Luciano misses with a leg kick
and Zola counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zola throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
A counter left hand to the body from Luciano misses its target.
Luciano goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Zola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Luciano scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Luciano wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Luciano misses with a straight left.
Zola fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A swing and a miss from Luciano.
Luciano takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zola comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luciano feints and then cracks Zola's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zola down.
Zola on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zola misses with a looping left.
Luciano cracks Zola with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zola connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zola blocks the body kick.
Zola waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Luciano.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Luciano is looking to score with low kicks.
Ray Luciano is winning the standup battle so far.
Luciano with a jab.
Luciano scores with a kick to the midsection.
Zola gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Luciano.
Luciano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zola throws a big shot that misses.
Luciano takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Zola ducks down to avoid it.
Luciano throws a jab but it's blocked by Zola.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zola.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Luciano throws an overhand right that lands on Zola's shoulder, as Zola tries to avoid the shot.
Luciano moves away from the strike by Zola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Luciano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zola.
Luciano is looking to counter punch.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Luciano thumps Zola with a low kick.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
A big left from Zola misses.
Zola staying out of range there.
Luciano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zola.
Luciano swings for the body but Zola moves out of range.
Luciano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zola.
Luciano takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Luciano fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zola manages to avoid it.
Zola comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zola throws a looping overhand right but Luciano ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Luciano was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Zola.
Zola uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luciano.
Luciano misses with a looping left.
Luciano throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zola looks to throw the jab but Luciano is out of range.
Luciano throwing a counter right hand but Zola manages to avoid it.
Zola uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luciano.
Zola just misses with a punch to the body.
Zola lands a nice hook to Luciano's body. Luciano takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Zola throws an overhand right that lands on Luciano's shoulder, as Luciano tries to avoid the shot.
Zola comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Zola checks a leg kick.
Zola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
A slow jab from Zola misses its intended target.
Zola moves away from the strike by Luciano.
Zola stuns Luciano with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Zola throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Zola slips a straight right by Luciano.
Luciano throws a looping overhand right but Zola ducks down to avoid it.
Luciano lands the left hand.
Zola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zola looks to throw the jab but Luciano is out of range.
Luciano connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Luciano stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Zola throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little feinted left hand from Luciano on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Luciano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zola.
Luciano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zola.
Luciano lands a leg kick that knocks Zola off balance momentarily.
Luciano slips a straight right by Zola.
Luciano blocks a jab.
Luciano slips a straight right by Zola.
Zola lunges at Luciano with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Luciano's hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zola misses with a looping left.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Luciano cracks Zola with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Luciano slips a jab from Zola.
Luciano is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zola.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bombo Zola will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zola throws a jab when Luciano was well out of range.
Luciano misses with a kick to the body.
Nice shot by Luciano.
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Zola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Luciano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zola digs a good hook to Luciano's body.
Luciano connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zola. Zola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
Zola throws the left hand but Luciano avoids the punch easily.
Luciano dodges the punch combination from Zola.
Zola misses with a looping left.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zola moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right-left combo lands from Zola.
Luciano lands a nice shot that snaps Zola's head back.
Zola connects with a body shot that sends Luciano's belly button to the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luciano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Zola moved out of range.
Zola misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zola scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Zola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zola is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Luciano with a body shot.
Zola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zola looks to land a left hand but Luciano moved out of range nicely.
Luciano misses the shot to the body.
Zola misses with a body shot.
Zola takes a swing at Luciano's ribcage but misses.
Luciano cracks Zola with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zola swings widly with a right hand
and Luciano counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Luciano's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zola under the eye.
Luciano tries to work over Zola's front leg with a kick but Zola checks it.
Zola connects with a body shot.
Luciano misses with a low kick as Zola jumps back.
Zola swings for the body but Luciano moves out of range.
Luciano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Luciano throws a chopping leg kick but Zola manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zola throws a hook to the side of Luciano's head but Luciano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An attempted straight right counter from Luciano misses the target.
Luciano smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zola slips a straight right by Luciano.
Zola misses the shot to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Luciano.
Luciano connects with a jab.
Zola misses the jab.
Luciano misses with a low kick.
Luciano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Luciano misses the target.
Some bone on bone action there as Zola checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Luciano throws out a loose jab but Zola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Luciano is looking to chop away at Zola's legs.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zola moves away.
Zola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Luciano fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zola checks it well.
Zola misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with a straight left.
Zola throws out a loose jab but Luciano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Luciano walks into a jab.
Luciano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Luciano scores with a body shot.
Zola has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Luciano will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zola misses with a jab to the body
and Luciano counters with a right hand to the body.
A big left from Zola misses.
Luciano slips under a jab from Zola.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luciano. Zola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Luciano throws a hook to the side of Zola's head but Zola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zola thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zola misses with a looping right.
Luciano stuns Zola with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Luciano tests Zola's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano misses the shot to the body.
Luciano fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zola misses with an uppercut.
Zola misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zola throws an off balance right hand
and Luciano counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luciano misses with a kick to the body.
Zola slips under a jab from Luciano.
Luciano throws the kick towards the body but Zola avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Luciano misses with a straight left.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zola, as that shot connected.
Luciano slips under a jab.
Luciano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zola moves out of range of the body kick from Luciano.
Zola slips under a jab from Luciano.
A little jabbing left from Zola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Zola checks a leg kick.
Zola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luciano misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Luciano clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Luciano works the jab nicely.
Luciano moves away from the strike by Zola.
Luciano misses the shot to the body.
Zola walks into a jab.
Luciano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Luciano throws a leg kick but Zola sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Zola crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Luciano - the referee stops the clock and Zola gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Luciano. Zola manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zola connects with a body shot that sends Luciano's belly button to the back.
Zola moves out of range of the body kick.
A nice side step and Zola releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Zola.
Zola blocks a jab.
A cross from Zola lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zola misses the jab.
Zola misses with a hook. Luciano ducked under it nicely.
Zola steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Luciano.
A punch combination from Luciano misses.
A cross from Luciano lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zola gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luciano swings for the body but Zola moves out of range.
Zola lands with a good body shot.
Zola misses the jab.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Zola misses the shot to the body.
Luciano throws a jab but it's blocked by Zola.
Zola misses with a double jab.
Zola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Luciano manages to avoid it.
Zola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zola misses the shot to the body.
As Zola backs away, Luciano returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
The fighters circling - Zola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Luciano moves out of range as Zola strikes.
As Zola backs away, Luciano returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Luciano.
Luciano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zola defending well as Luciano loads up on a big left hand.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Zola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A combination from Zola does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luciano.
Luciano lands with a cross.
Luciano slips under a jab.
Luciano avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Luciano misses with a hook.
Luciano looks to land a body kick but Zola moved away.
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!
Zola loads up on a big right hand but Luciano slips the punch.
Zola's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zola misses with an uppercut. Luciano saw that one coming.
Luciano tried to score with a low kick but Zola checks it.
Luciano tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zola is able to avoid easily.
Zola let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Luciano will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Luciano moves away from the strike by Zola.
Zola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luciano.
Zola avoids the body shot from Luciano.
Zola avoids a kick to the body.
Luciano tests Zola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Zola checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luciano scores with a nice strike.
Luciano looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Luciano feints and then cracks Zola's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zola down.
Zola throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Luciano looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Luciano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zola.
Zola throws a jab but it's blocked by Luciano.
Luciano takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zola has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Luciano.
Zola slips a straight right by Luciano.
Zola misses with an uppercut.
Luciano lands with a cross.
Zola slips under a jab.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zola. Luciano does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zola blocks a leg kick.
Luciano misses with a body kick.
Luciano takes one on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luciano keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zola.
Zola defending well as Luciano loads up on a big left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luciano moves away.
Luciano quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Zola uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Luciano.
A big left from Zola misses.
Zola throws a shot from downtown. Luciano moves away and avoids it.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zola throws a body punch but Luciano moves out of range.
Luciano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zola at a distance.
Zola walks into a left hand.
Luciano slips under a jab.
Luciano throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zola swinging wildly here.
Zola moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zola misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ray Luciano will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Luciano throws a hook to the side of Zola's head but Zola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luciano looks to score with a jab to the body but Zola is just out of range.
Zola is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Luciano with a body shot.
Zola swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Luciano counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Luciano throws a shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Zola.
Luciano displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zola throws out the jab.
A jab lands there for Luciano.
Zola ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Luciano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Luciano throws a body punch but Zola moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Zola misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano misses with a low kick.
A solid body kick from Luciano.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zola. Luciano does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Luciano on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Luciano's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zola connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Luciano scrambles back to his feet.
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!
Luciano looks to land a right hand but Zola moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola misses with a looping right.
Zola misses with a few strikes there.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano takes a swing at Zola's ribcage but misses.
Luciano buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
A nice side step and Zola releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Luciano staying out of range there.
Zola takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Luciano attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zola takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zola scores with a body shot.
Luciano misses with a hook.
Luciano fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zola blocks a jab.
Luciano moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice body punch from Zola.
Luciano tries to land a leg kick but Zola saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luciano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Luciano darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Luciano goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Luciano throws a hook but Zola avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Zola releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Luciano throws a half hearted mid kick.
Zola lands with a good body shot.
Zola moves out of range of the strikes.
Luciano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zola moves away.
Zola looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zola misses with an uppercut.
Zola throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Luciano counters with a good low kick that Zola was not able to check.
Nice defenses there by Zola.
Luciano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Zola.
Luciano throws a leg kick but Zola sees it coming and moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Zola misses the target.
Zola misses with a looping right.
Zola moves out of range of the strikes.
Zola throws a body punch but Luciano moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Luciano tries to land a front kick but Zola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zola misses the shot to the body.
Zola takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano scores with a nice strike.
Luciano throws a body shot but no joy.
Luciano slips a jab from Zola.
Zola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zola blocks a leg kick.
Luciano throws an overhand right that lands on Zola's shoulder, as Zola tries to avoid the shot.
Zola throws out a loose jab but Luciano uses good head movement to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Luciano misses its target.
Luciano avoids the body shot from Zola.
Zola throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Luciano misses the jab.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Luciano.
Zola scores with a punch to the head.
Luciano ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Zola tests Luciano's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zola throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Luciano.
Zola takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Luciano throws a wild body kick that Zola sees coming a mile off.
Luciano misses with a wild body shot.
Luciano misses with an uppercut. Zola saw that one coming.
Luciano works Zola's body with a nice hook.
Luciano defending well as Zola loads up on a big left hand.
Bombo Zola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luciano avoids the body shot from Zola.
Luciano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zola takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Luciano throws a leg kick which misses Zola's front leg but catches the back leg as Zola tries to avoid it.
Zola misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Luciano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Luciano has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Ray Luciano!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Ray Luciano!
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight for Ray Luciano!

Ray Luciano wins by unanimous decision!
Ray Luciano is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Ray Luciano thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.