PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cloud Strife (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zyd Xyd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strife comes to the cage accompanied by Let It Go. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Strife
vs
Xyd

195 cm
27
255 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

196 cm
26
240 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Island's Forbidden Fruits
VALOR Clothing - Everything $20

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cloud Strife!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zyd Xyd!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Xyd looking to stall.
Xyd jumps guard but Strife stands there with Xyd around his waist. Xyd gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Xyd scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xyd tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Strife tries a body shot but Xyd blocks it.

Xyd's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strife looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Strife rushes Xyd and presses him up against the cage.
Xyd fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Xyd has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Strife uses from the top position.
Xyd is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xyd looking for a sweep. Not yet Xyd, not yet.
Strife postures up in Xyd's guard and throws a big left but Xyd blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strife being controlled here momentarily.
Strife content to stall in guard here.
Strife has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Xyd keeping full guard, as Strife tries to pass.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strife slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Strife uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Xyd thows a body kick. Strife tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Xyd takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Xyd throws the kick towards the body but Strife avoids it.
Xyd looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Xyd thuds his shin into the meat of Strife's side.
Strife walks forward, straight into a front kick from Xyd.
Strife on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Strife misses with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Xyd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xyd. Strife does a little dance to reset his feet.
Strife scores with a jab. Xyd acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Strife tests Xyd's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xyd moves away from the strike by Strife.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strife lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Strife takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Xyd takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Xyd ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Strife blocks a jab.
Strife swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Xyd has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Strife throws a right hand that misses
and Xyd counters with a nice body kick.
Strife is breathing heavily.
Strife takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xyd fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Strife keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Strife is looking to counter punch.
Strife misses the jab.
Strife looks to land a right hand but Xyd moved out of range.
Xyd raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Xyd avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Xyd uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Strife.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strife looks to throw the jab but Xyd is out of range.
Xyd appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Strife is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Xyd slips a jab and a cross from Strife.
Xyd throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Strife.
Strife tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Xyd paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strife stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Xyd throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Strife sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Strife wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Xyd connects with a high kick.
Strife moves out of range of the body kick from Xyd.
Xyd defending well as Strife loads up on a big left hand.
A head kick misses from Xyd.
A big left from Strife misses.
Xyd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xyd takes a swing at Strife's ribcage but misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Xyd.
Xyd gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Strife counters with a left to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Xyd.
Xyd tries to land a front kick but Strife steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
An attempted straight right counter from Strife misses the target.
A head kick misses from Xyd.
Strife tries to clinch but Xyd moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Strife blocks a head kick by Xyd.
Strife will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Xyd misses with a looping right.
Strife misses with a series of wild punches.
Xyd pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A little feinted left hand from Strife on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Strife moves out of range of the strikes.
Xyd throws a looping overhand right but Strife ducks down to avoid it.
Strife changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A big right from Xyd misses.
Strife swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Strife throws a shot from downtown. Xyd moves away and avoids it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Xyd! But no joy.
Zyd Xyd seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strife scores with a jab to the body.
Strife fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xyd misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strife.
Xyd has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Strife finds it's way round the side to connect with Xyd's head.
Both fighters circling a little - Xyd finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Strife tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Xyd manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strife connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strife looks to land a combination but Xyd avoids it well.

Strife has Xyd up against the cage in a clinch.
Strife tries to throw a body punch but Xyd avoids it by throwing Strife back against the cage.

Xyd pulls guard.
Xyd looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strife is one step ahead there.
Strife is fighting to break Xyd's control of his arms but Xyd is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Strife tries to free his leg and advance position but Xyd is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strife won't allow Xyd to sweep him here.
Strife looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Xyd can do anything to dispel that myth.
Xyd is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Xyd in particular looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xyd tries to pass the half guard into mount. Strife knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Xyd is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Strife tries to close the distance and clinch but Xyd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Strife takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Strife lands a nice looking body shot.
Xyd scores with a kick to the body.
Strife jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xyd scores with a kick to the body.
Strife swings for the body but Xyd moves out of range.

Xyd tries to keep at a distance but Strife has taken the fight into the clinch.
Xyd looking to slow down the pace here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strife pushes Xyd back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Xyd lands a shoulder strike.

Xyd pulls guard effortlessly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zyd Xyd will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Strife takes a swing at Xyd's ribcage but misses.
Xyd counters with a body kick.
Strife tries to clinch but Xyd moves out of range.
Xyd ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Strife tries to clinch up but Xyd circles away and keeps his distance.
Xyd lands with a kick to the ribs.
Strife loads up on a big right hand but Xyd slips the punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Strife misses the target.
Xyd swings for the body but Strife moves out of range.
Xyd throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Xyd delivers a nice body kick.
Xyd lands a head kick. Strife smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xyd moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Xyd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Xyd misses with a wild body shot.
Strife misses with a wild body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xyd takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xyd throws the kick towards the body but Strife avoids it.
Xyd gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Strife.
Xyd lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Xyd looks to land a body kick but Strife moved away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Strife crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Xyd - the referee stops the clock and Strife gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Xyd. Strife manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Strife throws out a powerful jab.
Xyd lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Xyd looks to score with a jab to the body but Strife is just out of range.
Strife is looking to counter punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Xyd, right into the meat.
Strife throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Xyd on the side of the head.
Strife is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Xyd misses with a wild body shot.
Xyd swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Strife misses with a looping right.
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!
Xyd takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Strife takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strife tries to clinch but Xyd moves out of range.
Xyd is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Strife.
Xyd misses with a head kick.
It looked like Strife wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Xyd ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Strife takes the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Strife tries to throw a body punch but Xyd avoids it by throwing Strife back against the cage.
Xyd is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Strife to keep the fight standing.
Strife misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strife.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Strife.
Strife lands a nice shot to the body.

Xyd pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Xyd looks to score with a jab to the body but Strife is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Strife on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A solid body kick from Xyd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Xyd.
Strife moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Strife digs a good body shot into Xyd's ribs.
Strife takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Strife steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Xyd. That one must have hurt.
Xyd misses the body punch
and Xyd takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Xyd lands a head kick. Strife smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Xyd.
Strife moves out of range as Xyd throws a body kick.
Xyd takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Xyd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Xyd lands but Strife takes it in his stride.
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!
Strife throws a hook to the side of Xyd's head but Xyd sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Strife with a hook.
A jab from Strife finds it's way through Xyd's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xyd goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Xyd swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xyd.
Xyd throws a head kick that Strife semi-blocks.

Strife takes the fight into the clinch.
Strife misses with a punch on the inside.
Xyd tries to pull guard but Strife won't allow it.
Strife lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Xyd backwards.
Strife lands a body punch in the clinch.
Strife working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strife goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Strife works on Xyd's body with a couple of short punches.
A body shot lands from Strife.
Strife misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Strife throws a punch but it's blocked by Xyd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Zyd Xyd just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Strife's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Strife instigates a clinch.
Xyd misses with a short punch on the inside.
Strife misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strife misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Strife.
Strife tries to work over Xyd's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Xyd gets control of Strife's arms and successfully pulls guard. Xyd will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Xyd working a defensive guard here.
Strife stopping the sweep attempt from Xyd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strife looking to pass the guard.
Xyd is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strife wants to control from the top but Xyd keeps moving.
Xyd lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Xyd trying to control but Strife is working from the bottom.

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.
Strife is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Xyd trying to control but Strife is working from the bottom.
Xyd seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Xyd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strife was well out of range. Poor timing from Xyd.
Strife wants to clinch up but Xyd keeps it at a distance.
Strife takes a swing at Xyd's ribcage but misses.
Strife throws a poor cross that misses
and Xyd counters with a body kick that stops Strife in his tracks momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Xyd.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Strife looks to score with a jab to the body but Xyd is just out of range.
A nice side step and Xyd releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A looping hook to the body misses from Strife. Xyd does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xyd throws a body shot but no joy.
Xyd thows a body kick. Strife tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Xyd feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Strife's calf.
Xyd explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Strife connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Xyd circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strife takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Xyd delivers a nice body kick.
Xyd lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Strife at a distance.
Xyd lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strife on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Xyd lands a head kick. Strife smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strife takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Xyd bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Xyd.
Strife tries to clinch there but Xyd circles away.
Xyd throws a quick inside leg kick.
Xyd lands with a shot to the body.
Xyd changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Strife lands with a nice body punch.
Strife misses with an uppercut
and Xyd counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Strife blocks a head kick by Xyd.
Strife moves to clinch but Xyd breaks away
and Xyd counters with an inside leg kick.
Xyd throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Strife tries to close the distance and clinch but Xyd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zyd Xyd dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Xyd throws a sloppy head kick and Strife moves out of range easily.
Strife moves out of range of the body kick.
The fighters circling - Strife throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Strife misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xyd.
Xyd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Strife looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Xyd shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Xyd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Strife throws out the jab.
Xyd looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Xyd.
Strife throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xyd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strife misses with a jab, cross combination.
Xyd misses with a body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Xyd. Strife shrugs it off though.
Xyd keeps Strife at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xyd buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Strife is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Strife loads up on a big right hand but Xyd slips the punch.
And Xyd responds with a good body kick, but Strife manages to step out the way in time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Strife. Xyd does a little dance to reset his feet.
Strife connects with a body shot that sends Xyd's belly button to the back.
Strife comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Strife moves out of range as Xyd throws a body kick.
Strife uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Xyd has time to react.
Xyd misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Strife misses.
Xyd throws a sloppy head kick and Strife moves out of range easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Xyd - that will leave a mark!
Strife lands the left hand.
Xyd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xyd has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Xyd is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Xyd tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xyd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cloud Strife has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strife avoids the body shot from Xyd.
Strife throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
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!
Strife connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Xyd has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Xyd drops his hands momentarily and Strife takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Xyd takes one on the button.
A thudding body kick lands there by Xyd!
A thudding body kick lands there by Xyd!
Strife tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Xyd paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Strife fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xyd manages to avoid it.
Xyd scores with a nice body kick.
Xyd tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strife was well out of range. Poor timing from Xyd.
Strife wants to clinch up but Xyd keeps it at a distance.
Xyd thinks about the counter body kick.
Xyd scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A thudding body kick lands there by Xyd!
Xyd fakes the leg kick and cracks Strife in the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xyd scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xyd scores with a head kick. Strife tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Strife takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Xyd lands a nice looking kick to the body. Strife takes a step back to recover.
Strife ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Xyd misses with a hook. Strife ducked under it nicely.
Xyd connects with a leg kick. Strife looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Xyd is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Strife rather than just go for the knockout.
A head kick misses from Xyd.
Xyd slips under a jab.
Xyd looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Strife clinches with his opponent.

Xyd breaks from the clinch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Xyd.
Jab from Strife.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xyd walks into a left hand.
Strife moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A big left from Strife misses.
Xyd is looking to slow Strife down with leg kicks.
Xyd lands a body shot.
Nice shot by Strife.
Xyd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Strife.
Xyd is trying to counter with his kicks.
Strife swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Xyd misses with a straight right.
Strife fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zyd Xyd is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Strife misses with a jab, cross combination.
Xyd lands a front kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xyd throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Xyd takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Xyd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strife manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zyd Xyd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Xyd 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 46:49
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zyd Xyd!
Zyd Xyd is the new heavyweight champion!