PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sub Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Gardens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zero comes to the cage accompanied by Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby. Gardens has chosen Not Tonight - Slaughterhouse 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.

Zero
vs
Gardens

190 cm
25
184 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

176 cm
21
192 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!
Conviction

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 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sub Zero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Gardens!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardens is looking to clinch but Zero is avoiding it.
Gardens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zero manages to avoid it.

Gardens bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zero sneaks back into half guard.
Gardens thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gardens has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zero wants to get back to full guard.
Gardens looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zero with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zero wants to improve his position but Gardens is controlling well.

Zero actively working from the bottom here.
Zero is looking to improve his position.
Gardens tries to pass to full mount but Zero defends it.
Zero tries to get to full guard but Gardens has control of the leg.
Zero is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Gardens seems content to control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Gardens counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Gardens drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zero dives on top into guard.
Gardens looking to control.
Gardens keeping moving, preventing Zero from controlling successfully.

Gardens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zero can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zero with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gardens escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zero gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gardens works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero preventing the sweep.
Gardens is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gardens working a defensive guard but Zero manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gardens manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Zero will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gardens wants to improve his position but Zero is controlling well.
Zero missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gardens is trying to get back to full guard.
Gardens gets back to full guard.
Gardens keeping moving, preventing Zero from controlling successfully.
Gardens is looking to sweep but instead, Zero has passed into half guard.
Zero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero trying to control the action but Gardens is working from the bottom.
Zero not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gardens is looking for a sweep. Zero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gardens defending well though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Zero closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zero lands in his opponent's guard.
Zero is pushing down on Gardens's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gardens is fighting to maintain full guard but Zero has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gardens is looking for a sweep. Zero is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zero thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gardens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zero.
Gardens is looking to improve his position.
Gardens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zero scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zero forces his way into half guard.
Gardens wants to improve his position but Zero is controlling well.
Zero seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gardens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zero is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Zero is keen to just control but Gardens is a slippery customer.
Zero prevents Gardens from improving his position.
Gardens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zero.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zero has his takedown stuffed
and Gardens counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Gardens dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zero with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gardens counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zero keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zero is refusing to be controlled, as Gardens sits in half guard.
Nice strikes from Gardens there.
Zero is trying to maintain the position but Gardens is very close to passing his half guard.
Gardens stalling away here and it's allowed Zero to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Zero 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.
Gardens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gardens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Zero keeping moving, preventing Gardens from controlling successfully.

Zero looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gardens trying to control the position from guard on top but Zero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gardens landing some decent shots from guard.
Gardens advances to half guard.

Gardens is looking for a kimura here.
Zero regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gardens is breathing heavily.

Zero looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Zero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gardens's guard.
Gardens has Zero pulled in close to control his posture.
Zero trying to control but Gardens is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardens wants to sweep here but Zero controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gardens looking for subs off his back but Zero has passed one foot through into half guard.
Gardens tries to roll over but Zero keeps him under control.
Marcus Gardens has got the better of the ground game so far.

Gardens looking for subs from the bottom but Zero mounts him!
The referee warns Gardens that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Zero trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gardens is squirming around, avoiding Zero's attempts to control the action.
Gardens is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zero landing shots from mount.
Gardens keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zero postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gardens looks a forlorn figure.
Zero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gardens is looking to escape.
Gardens is desperately trying to improve his position but Zero has a good base and remains in mount.
Gardens takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Gardens working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero throwing strikes here but Gardens is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Zero scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gardens?
Gardens can't escape the position.
Gardens in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Gardens is in all sorts of trouble here.
A nice elbow there by Zero.
Gardens tries to reverse the position but Zero maintains control.
Zero connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Zero pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gardens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gardens takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gardens is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Zero.
Zero working Gardens over with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zero shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gardens manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Gardens is rocked!
Zero working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gardens is still in real trouble! Can Zero finish him?
Zero throwing strikes from guard but Gardens blocks nicely.
Gardens seems to have recovered his senses.
Zero is looking to work some ground and pound but Gardens has wrist control.

Gardens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zero looking to pass the guard.
Zero postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zero won't allow Gardens to sweep him here.

Zero drops back looking for a leg! Gardens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gardens manages to kick Zero off! Zero jumps back into Gardens's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zero throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardens lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zero!

Gardens is working for a guillotine from mount but Zero frees his head quite easily.
Zero is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gardens working the ground and pound effectively.
Gardens working Zero over with strikes here.
Gardens working Zero over with strikes here.
Zero tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gardens controlling from mount.
Zero tries to reverse the position but Gardens maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardens lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Zero keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gardens punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zero is trying desperately to improve position.

Gardens is working for a guillotine from mount but Zero frees his head quite easily.
Zero is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Gardens is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Zero has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Zero!
Zero stands up over Gardens, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zero is pushing down on Gardens's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gardens is fighting to maintain full guard but Zero has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gardens looking for submissions off his back.
Zero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gardens trying to get back to full guard but Zero takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Zero in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Gardens tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zero looking to finish Gardens with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gardens!
Zero has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gardens's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Zero has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gardens's face.
Zero wants to control the pace but Gardens is squirming around nicely.
Gardens takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Gardens sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Zero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gardens defending well though.
Gardens is looking to improve his position.
Gardens is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zero wants to control but Gardens is keeping him busy.
Zero prevents Gardens from improving his position.
Zero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gardens keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zero shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gardens napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gardens takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Zero sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gardens is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gardens tries to buck Zero off but Zero is having none of it.
Zero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gardens keeps working.
Gardens is looking for a sweep.
Zero lands a nice forearm strike.
Zero trying to control the action but Gardens is working from the bottom.
An elbow from Zero crashes against the mat.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Gardens is looking to reverse the position.
Gardens sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Gardens manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gardens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zero lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Zero scoring with some ground and pound.
Zero won't allow Gardens to sweep him here.
Zero wants to control from the top but Gardens keeps moving.
Gardens looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardens, not yet.
Zero trying to control but Gardens is working from the bottom.
Zero stopping the sweep attempt from Gardens.

Gardens working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zero trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zero doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Gardens decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zero's guard.
Zero lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gardens!
Zero pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gardens is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Gardens manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Zero slows the pace down in half guard.
Gardens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zero is trying to control the action in half guard but Gardens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zero drops an elbow to the side of Gardens's head.
Zero prevents Gardens from improving his position.
Zero looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gardens wants to get back to full guard.

Gardens is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zero pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zero uses his free foot to push down on Gardens's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gardens.
Gardens taking shots to the head.
Zero with good strikes from the mount here!
Gardens is looking to improve his position but Zero isn't that keen on the idea.

Zero looking to secure an arm triangle but Gardens defends it well.
Gardens is bucking up trying to escape but Zero cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gardens wants to hold on but Zero pushes him away.
Zero connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gardens avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zero.
Gardens is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero had his way with Marcus Gardens in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gardens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Zero really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gardens cracks Zero with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Gardens.
Gardens with good strikes from the mount here!
Zero slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Zero gets back to full guard.

Zero working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gardens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gardens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gardens postures up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Gardens not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gardens trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zero is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gardens wants to control from the top but Zero keeps moving.
Gardens connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardens advances position into side control!
Gardens lands a nice forearm strike.
Gardens is working Zero over with some ground and pound from side control.
Zero is trying to improve his position.
Gardens postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Gardens working the head with strikes.

Gardens working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zero regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero trying to hold on to Gardens's head to control him but Gardens postures up.
Zero is staying active underneath Gardens, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zero is looking for a sweep. Gardens is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gardens throwing shots but Zero is blocking nicely.
Gardens passes to side control.
Gardens is chipping away with strikes.
Gardens is looking to take a break and control but Zero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zero manages to get back to half guard.

Gardens wants to work for an arm triangle but Zero is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zero gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Zero had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gardens is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Zero Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gardens's back instead.
Gardens manages to reverse the position and now he's in Zero's guard. Nice work there by Gardens.
Zero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gardens.
Zero throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Zero preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gardens wants to control from the top but Zero keeps moving.
Gardens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zero working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zero tries for a takedown but Gardens circles away easily

and Gardens counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zero!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gardens cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Zero manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Sub Zero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gardens prevents Zero from improving his position.
Gardens trying to pass the guard but Zero defending well.

Gardens is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zero is trying is best to control the position here.
Gardens throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Marcus Gardens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gardens missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Gardens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zero 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 48:47
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 48:47
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sub Zero!
Sub Zero retains his middleweight title!