PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Del Mar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Also Zarathustra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zarathustra has chosen Red Birds Will Fly Out Of The East And Destroy Paris In A Night as his entrance music. Also Zarathustra struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Also Zarathustra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Del Mar
vs
Zarathustra

180 cm
31
180 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

185 cm
35
185 lbs
23 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fabio Del Mar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Also Zarathustra!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Anthony Taglia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Mar misses with a head kick.
Del Mar on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Del Mar looks to throw a body kick
and Del Mar takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Del Mar connects with a leg kick. Zarathustra looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zarathustra lands with a shot to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zarathustra has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Del Mar misses with a low kick as Zarathustra jumps back.
Zarathustra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarathustra cracks a nice hook into Del Mar's ribs.
Good leg kick by Del Mar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zarathustra avoids the body shot from Del Mar.
Del Mar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zarathustra.
Del Mar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zarathustra paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zarathustra bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Del Mar's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zarathustra throws a shot to the body.
That kick from Del Mar tenderised Zarathustra's leg. Zarathustra is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zarathustra misses with a hook.

Del Mar takes the fight into the clinch.
Del Mar lands a nice knee to the body.
Zarathustra looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Mar missing with knees to the body.
Del Mar lands a right hand.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Del Mar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zarathustra has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zarathustra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zarathustra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Del Mar pushes Zarathustra back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Del Mar stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Del Mar missing with knees to the body.
Del Mar throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zarathustra blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Del Mar tries a knee to the head but Zarathustra blocks it.
Del Mar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zarathustra.
Del Mar unloads a knee to the mid-section.
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!
A nice left hand lands by Del Mar.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Del Mar crunches a lovely knee into Zarathustra's ribcage.
I was talking to Del Mar's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Del Mar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Del Mar throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zarathustra blocks it with crossed arms.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Del Mar connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zarathustra's face.
Zarathustra misses with a punch to the body.
Zarathustra takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Del Mar.
Del Mar swings wildly with an uppercut but Zarathustra uses good head movement to avoid it.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zarathustra avoids it.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Also Zarathustra has been cut.
Knees to the body from Del Mar.
A knee to the head by Del Mar.
Zarathustra blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Del Mar looking to throw knees to the head but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.
Zarathustra scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Mar throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zarathustra blocks it with crossed arms.
Del Mar unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Zarathustra wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zarathustra softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zarathustra pushes Del Mar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Del Mar lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Del Mar misses with a knee strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Del Mar.
Zarathustra tries to throw a body punch but Del Mar avoids it by throwing Zarathustra back against the cage.
Del Mar prevents a body shot from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Del Mar missing with knees to the body.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zarathustra lands a hook to the side of the head.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nice body punch from Del Mar - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Mar missing with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Del Mar scores with a knee to the head.
Del Mar looking to throw knees to the head but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.
Zarathustra scores with a shoulder strike.
Zarathustra lands a hook that snaps the head of Del Mar backwards.
Del Mar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zarathustra.
Del Mar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zarathustra backwards.
Knees in the clinch landing for Del Mar.
Zarathustra misses with some punches.
Zarathustra avoiding damage as Del Mar throws knees to the body.
Del Mar landing knees to the body.
Del Mar landing knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Del Mar trying to land knees to the body.
Del Mar lands a knee to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Del Mar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zarathustra takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Del Mar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Also Zarathustra's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Del Mar scores with a jab.
Del Mar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Del Mar throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Del Mar.
Zarathustra takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Zarathustra stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Del Mar.
Del Mar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Del Mar goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A jab from Del Mar misses.
Zarathustra throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Del Mar throws a leg kick which misses Zarathustra's front leg but catches the back leg as Zarathustra tries to avoid it.
Del Mar fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Del Mar takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Del Mar lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zarathustra is breathing heavily.
Del Mar fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zarathustra.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Del Mar connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Mar wants to clinch.
Zarathustra with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Del Mar.
Del Mar ducks under a wild hook from Zarathustra.

Del Mar has managed to clinch.
Good body shot from Del Mar.
Del Mar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zarathustra can do to turn this around?
Del Mar missing with knees to the body.
Del Mar working Zarathustra over with knees to the body.
Del Mar landing some nice looking knees to the body.
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!
Del Mar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Del Mar scores with a knee to the head.
Del Mar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Del Mar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but Zarathustra blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Del Mar tries to land knees in the clinch but Zarathustra avoids the damage to the body.
Del Mar tries a knee to the head but Zarathustra blocks it.
Fabio Del Mar has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zarathustra avoiding damage as Del Mar throws knees to the body.
Del Mar misses with a knee to the head.

Zarathustra jumps guard.
Zarathustra looking to hit a scissor sweep but Del Mar is one step ahead there.
Del Mar passes Zarathustra's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Del Mar wants to take a breather but Zarathustra is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Mar not doing much here.

Zarathustra actively working from the bottom here.
Del Mar is looking to take a break and control but Zarathustra is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Zarathustra actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Del Mar is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Del Mar decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Del Mar connects with a leg kick. Zarathustra looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A good leg kick by Del Mar.
Del Mar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Del Mar cracks a nice hook into Zarathustra's ribs.

Del Mar gets a clinch.
Del Mar looking to throw knees to the head but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.
Del Mar utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabio Del Mar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Also Zarathustra's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zarathustra keeps the fight on the outside.
Zarathustra shoots in for a double leg but Del Mar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A chopping leg kick lands by Del Mar.
Del Mar feints and then cracks Zarathustra's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zarathustra down.
Del Mar tries to clinch but Zarathustra is having none of it.
Zarathustra moves out of range of the body kick.
Del Mar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zarathustra swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fabio Del Mar is winning the standup battle so far.
Del Mar lands a slapping body shot.

Del Mar closes the distance and pushes Zarathustra back into the cage.
Zarathustra can't find room to land a body shot as Del Mar controls the action.
Del Mar misses with a knee strike.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zarathustra blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but Zarathustra blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Zarathustra works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zarathustra wants to stall.
Zarathustra on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zarathustra scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zarathustra tries a body shot but Del Mar blocks it.
Del Mar with a knee to the head.
Del Mar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Del Mar tries to throw a body punch but Zarathustra avoids it by throwing Del Mar back against the cage.
Zarathustra's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zarathustra trying to control the position but instead, Del Mar has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zarathustra into the cage.
Del Mar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Del Mar tries a body shot but Zarathustra blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra swings wildly with an uppercut but Del Mar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Del Mar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zarathustra misses with a hook to the ribs.
Del Mar scores a nice knee to the body.
Del Mar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zarathustra has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Del Mar putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zarathustra in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zarathustra is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Del Mar tries a knee to the head but Zarathustra blocks it.
Del Mar misses with a body punch.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Zarathustra can't break the clinch.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zarathustra avoids it.
Del Mar blocks a body shot from Zarathustra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Mar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Del Mar is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zarathustra is defending well for now.
Del Mar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zarathustra on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zarathustra lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Zarathustra to work.
Del Mar misses with a knee to the head.
Also Zarathustra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zarathustra wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Del Mar has him pressed against the cage.
Zarathustra wants to break free but Del Mar has control.
Del Mar scores a nice knee to the body.
Zarathustra on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Del Mar looking to throw knees to the head but Zarathustra is blocking nicely.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zarathustra misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zarathustra tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarathustra managing to block the knees to the body from Del Mar.
Knees in the clinch landing for Del Mar.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Del Mar trying to land knees to the body.
Del Mar putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zarathustra in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Del Mar throws a knee to the head but misses.
Del Mar tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Del Mar makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zarathustra takes a knee to the side of the body.
Fabio Del Mar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Del Mar blocks an uppercut.
Zarathustra struggles to land a body shot inside as Del Mar controls his hands.
Zarathustra throws a punch but it's blocked by Del Mar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Del Mar blocks a body shot from Zarathustra.
Zarathustra tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabio Del Mar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Del Mar 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabio Del Mar!
After the fight, Fabio Del Mar was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.