PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jian Zhao (ranked 1533 p4p, 806 weight class) and Zee Land (ranked 181 p4p, 103 weight class). Zhao kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is GZA - Shadowboxin'. Land is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: For Heavy Metal we will die!. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Zhao
vs
Land

173 cm
21
155
5 - 2 - 0

187 cm
21
162
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Heavy Metal Drugs
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jian Zhao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zee Land!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Land thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Zhao if he has to take too many more of those.
Zhao rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Land counters with a big head kick but Zhao shrugs it off.
Land tries a low kick but Zhao avoids it.
Zhao takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zee Land seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Land, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Land looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zhao throws a lazy head kick
and Land counters with an outside leg kick.
Land throws a hook but Zhao avoids it easily.
Land has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Land misses with an uppercut
enabling Zhao to counter with a crisp jab.
Zhao throws a push kick but Land slaps the foot to one side.
Zhao looks to land a right hand but Land moved out of range.
Zhao scores with a kick to the body.
Zhao looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Land lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhao sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Land tries to score with a low kick but Zhao moves his leg out of the way.
Zhao misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhao swats away the attempt to clinch by Land.
Zhao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Land is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Land misses with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Land.
Good leg kick by Land.
Land fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zhao throws a shot from downtown. Land moves away and avoids it.

Zhao gets tackled into the cage by Land. Land maintains the clinch.
Zhao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zhao throws a punch but it's blocked by Land.
A short uppercut from Zhao.
Zhao misses with a punch on the inside.
Land is trying to pull guard but Zhao has him pressed against the cage.
Land lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhao misses with a body punch.
Zhao pushes Land back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
Zhao digs a right hand underneath Land's ribcage. Land let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Zhao throws a head punch that misses.
Zhao is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Land's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Zhao swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zhao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Land tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Land works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zhao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhao misses with a punch on the inside.
Land misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zhao misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Land.
Land tries to work over Zhao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zhao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zhao.
Zhao throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lands head.
Zhao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Land prevents a body shot from Zhao.
Land goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Land lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Land takes a shot to the head.
Zhao tries to work over Land's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Land.
Land lands a right hand.
Zhao blocking some punches.
Land lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Land.
Zhao tries a body shot but Land blocks it.
Zhao lands a right hand that snaps the head of Land backwards.
Zhao misses with a short punch on the inside.
Land swings wildly with an uppercut but Zhao uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Zhao.

Land gets control of Zhao's arms and successfully pulls guard. Land will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Land is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhao defends well.
Zhao might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Land is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zhao defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Land throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Zhao escapes and throws Land's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Zhao taking a breather here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Land tries to buck Zhao off but Zhao is having none of it.
Land trying his best to control but Zhao has mounted him.
Land tries to reverse the position but Zhao maintains control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zee Land will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Land moves in looking to clinch but Zhao pushes him off.
Land throws a sloppy head kick and Zhao moves out of range easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Land!
Land tries to clinch up.
Land avoids the head kick by Zhao.
Land lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zhao misses with a straight left.
Land wants to clinch up but Zhao keeps it at a distance.
Zhao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Land feints and then cracks Zhao's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhao down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Land moves away.
Land looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zhao throws a body punch but Land moves out of range.
Land scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Land throws a body punch but Zhao moves out of range.
Zhao lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Land steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhao.
Land wants to counter the offense by Zhao and move into the clinch position.
Zhao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Land wants to counter the offense by Zhao and move into the clinch position.
Land dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zhao. That did some damage!
Land lands with a cross.
Zhao throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Land stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Land tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zhao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Land lands with a right hand.
Zhao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Land scores with a push kick.
Land wants to land a leg kick but Zhao is out of range.
Zhao is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Land is looking to score with low kicks.
Zee Land seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Land will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhao avoids the head kick by Land.
Zhao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zhao blocks a low kick nicely.
Land with a nice calf kick.
Zhao takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zhao swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Land scores with a head kick.
Zhao lands with a kick to the ribs.
Zhao slips a jab from Land.
It looked like Zhao wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Land moves out of range of the body kick.
Zhao checks a leg kick.
A jab from Zhao misses.
Zhao misses the shot to the body.
Land throws out a loose jab but Zhao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Land connects with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhao misses with an attempted mid kick.
Land moves out of range of the body kick from Zhao.
Zhao walks into a straight right hand from Land.
Zhao takes one to the chin there.
Land lands a leg kick that knocks Zhao off balance momentarily.
A head kick misses from Land.
Land blocks a jab.
Zhao avoids the head kick by Land.
Zhao swats away the attempt to clinch by Land.
Zhao misses with a head kick.
Land throws a nice inside leg kick.
Land darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhao misses with a straight right.
Zhao is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Land avoids the body shot from Zhao.
Zhao throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Land, as that shot connected.
Zhao throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Land misses with a leg kick
and Zhao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zhao throws a push kick but Land slaps the foot to one side.
Zhao throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zhao - that will leave a mark!
Land tries to clinch but Zhao is having none of it.
Zhao jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Land throws a leg kick but Zhao sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Land throws a leg kick
and Zhao counters with a nice body kick.
Land paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Land misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zee Land will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Zhao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Land moves in looking to clinch but Zhao pushes him off.
Jian Zhao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Land is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Land moves forwards but Zhao connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Land throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The fighters circling - Zhao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zhao checks a low kick from Land.
Land darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Land tries a head kick but it misses.
Land throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhao keeps the fight on the outside.
Land scores with a jab. Zhao acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Land steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zhao.
Land attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It looked like Zhao was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Land.
Land scores with a jab. Zhao acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Land blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Land throws a wild body kick that Zhao sees coming a mile off.
Zhao throws a right hand that misses
and Land counters with a stiff right hand.
Land has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Land looks to clinch
and Zhao counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Zee Land has been cut.
Land misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Zhao on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Land moves out of range as Zhao throws a body kick.
Land throws out a counter right but Zhao avoids it with no problem.
Land throws a sloppy head kick
and Zhao counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Land thinking.
Land takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhao with a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zhao.
Land steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Land throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zhao.
Land throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhao throwing a counter right hand but Land manages to avoid it.
Zhao tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Land goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zhao misses with a head kick.
Land feints a counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhao looks to land a right hand but Land moved out of range.
Land was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Zhao swings widly with a right hand
and Land counters with a low kick, right behind Zhao 's knee.
Zhao throws a lazy right hand but Land sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Land tries to counter by closing the distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Land with the inside leg kick.
Zhao lands a slapping body shot.
A lazy body kick from Zhao
and Land makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zhao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Land throws a head kick but Zhao moves out of range.

Zhao tries to keep at a distance but Land has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zhao misses with some punches.
Zhao tries to work over Land's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jian Zhao has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zhao has a couple of punches blocked by Land.
Land tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhao tries to work over Land's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Land tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zhao lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Land backwards.
Land tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zhao scores with a shot to the side of Land's head.
Land throws a punch but it's blocked by Zhao.
Zhao misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhao.
Land tries to throw a body punch but Zhao avoids it by throwing Land back against the cage.
Land jumps guard but Zhao stands there with Land around his waist. Land gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jian Zhao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zee Land.
Zhao tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Land jumps guard but Zhao turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zhao lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Land scores with a shoulder strike.
Land throws a punch but it's blocked by Zhao.
Land lands a right hand.
Land tries a body shot but Zhao blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zhao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Land scores with a shoulder strike.
Land doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Land misses with a hook to the ribs.
Land is trying to pull guard but Zhao turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zhao digs a right hand into Land's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Land's gas tank.
Land misses with a hook to the ribs.

Land successfully pulls guard.
Zhao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Land looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zhao in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zhao throws a strike but Land rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zee Land.
I've got Land 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Zee Land!
Zee Land decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.