PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaka Zulu (ranked 1406 p4p, 1153 weight class) and Thiago Araujo (ranked 195 p4p, 159 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Zulu
vs
Araujo

200 cm
29
287
12 - 6 - 0

193 cm
36
285
27 - 26 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Mile High
Brooklyn Threads

Voodoo Nutrition
Vegan Gains

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shaka Zulu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Araujo checks a leg kick.
Araujo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Araujo fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed right hand from Zulu misses the target.
Zulu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Araujo as he connects with a hook.
Zulu throws out a leg kick but Araujo moves out of range and Zulu only half commits.
Araujo shoots in but Zulu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shaka Zulu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Araujo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Araujo fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Araujo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zulu was covering up waiting for the punch and Araujo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Araujo trying to control but Zulu is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulu looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zulu is not content to let Araujo control the position.
Zulu is looking for a sweep.

That's two 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.

Araujo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ground and pound from Araujo seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Araujo is looking to take a break and control but Zulu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Araujo is chipping away with strikes.

It looks like Shaka Zulu has been cut.
Zulu is looking to regain half guard here but Araujo keeps moving and retains side control.

Araujo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zulu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ground and pound from Araujo seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Zulu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
My spies in Soul Supremacy Rio inform me that Araujo has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Araujo goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Zulu has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Araujo but great work by Zulu.
Araujo tries to improve position but can't.
Zulu wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
Araujo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Araujo looking for submissions off his back.
Zulu takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Zulu tries to pass the half guard into mount. Araujo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Araujo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Araujo works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulu trying to control the position from guard on top but Araujo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Araujo working for submissions but it's allowed Zulu to get to half guard.
Araujo is looking to improve his position.
Zulu takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Zulu prevents Araujo from improving his position.
Zulu perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Araujo is looking to improve his position.
Araujo is looking to control Zulu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Araujo avoid being mounted?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Araujo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shaka Zulu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Araujo darts in looking for a takedown but Zulu gets double underhooks and turns Araujo into the cage.
Zulu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Araujo blocks a jab.
Zulu misses with a looping left.
Thiago Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zulu as he avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Zulu. No joy for Araujo on that attempt.
Shaka Zulu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Araujo.
Araujo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Araujo shoots for a takedown but Zulu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Araujo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zulu's waist but Zulu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Araujo off to one side.
No luck for Araujo with that takedown attempt.
Araujo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zulu throws a shot from downtown. Araujo moves away and avoids it.
Araujo changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zulu misses the jab.
Zulu throws a jab but it's blocked by Araujo.
Araujo tries for a takedown but Zulu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Araujo fails with the takedown.
A counter left hand to the body from Zulu misses its target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zulu.
Araujo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Araujo is breathing heavily.
Araujo slips a straight right by Zulu.
Araujo staying out of range there.
Araujo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zulu counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zulu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zulu scores with a jab.
Zulu is looking to chop away at Araujo's legs.
A slow jab from Zulu misses its intended target.
Araujo feints the counter takedown.
Araujo shoots in for a double leg but Zulu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A jab from Zulu does it's job there.
Zulu throws a poor cross that misses

and Araujo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zulu's guard.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zulu is on top in guard.

Zulu stays in close to Araujo's body and controls the position.
Zulu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulu trying to control the pace.
Zulu continues to stall.
Araujo trying to control here.

Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thiago Araujo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zulu controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulu passes to full mount!
Araujo regains half guard.

Araujo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zulu pulls his head out easily.
Zulu trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.
Zulu sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Zulu trying to mount his opponent but Araujo defends it.
Zulu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Araujo can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Araujo looking for submissions off his back.
Zulu wants to pass the guard but Araujo is defending well.
Araujo wants to get back to full guard.

Araujo looking for submissions off his back.
Araujo tries to get to full guard but Zulu has control of the leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Zulu's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Zulu blocks the strikes from Araujo.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shaka Zulu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shaka Zulu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zulu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Araujo shoots in and drives through. Zulu sprawls well.
A slow jab from Zulu misses its intended target.

Araujo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zulu tries to bench press Araujo off him but Araujo keeps the position.

Araujo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Zulu is trying to control Araujo's posture but Araujo avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zulu manages to get back to half guard.
Zulu is controlling Araujo's trapped leg to prevent Araujo from advancing to side control.
Zulu regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo throws a big right hand that misses.
Araujo wants to control from the top but Zulu keeps moving.
Araujo tries to free his leg and advance position but Zulu is retaining full guard.
Araujo is fighting to break Zulu's control of his arms but Zulu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zulu has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Zulu wants to sweep here but Araujo controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zulu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Araujo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zulu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zulu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zulu lands a right hook to the body.
Araujo looks for a takedown but Zulu sprawls well.
Araujo shoots in for a double leg but Zulu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zulu is looking to counter punch.
Shaka Zulu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Araujo.
Zulu misses with a hook.
Zulu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zulu wants it to stay on the feet.
Araujo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A combination from Zulu does no damage.
Zulu throws a jab but it's blocked by Araujo.
Zulu slaps away a takedown attempt from Araujo, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Araujo.
A slow jab from Zulu misses its intended target.

Araujo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zulu is trying to improve his position.
Who's going to make the next move?

Araujo tries for a kimura but Zulu is defending well.
Zulu sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulu slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Araujo throws a big elbow that misses.
Araujo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zulu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Araujo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Araujo is trying to maintain the position but Zulu is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zulu takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Araujo is trying to control but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shaka Zulu.
I think Zulu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shaka Zulu!
During a confident post fight interview, Shaka Zulu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.