PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Solomon Zook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zook has chosen God's Gonna Cut You Down as his entrance music. Scott Alexander had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Alexander
vs
Zook

182 cm
21
187 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

Crocodile Steak and Ale House
Star & Star .Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Scott Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Solomon Zook!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zook tries to clinch but Alexander moves out of range.
Alexander circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zook tries to clinch but Alexander moves out of range.
Alexander throws a right hand that Zook ducks under and follows up with a left that Zook also avoids with ease.
Alexander looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alexander tries to clinch but Zook is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alexander is defended easily by Zook.
Alexander throws a nice looking combination but Zook bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Alexander gets caught flat footed, as Zook shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Alexander tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Alexander had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Zook is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Alexander Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Zook's back instead.
Zook tries to escape the position.
Alexander trying to control momentarily.
Zook tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander tries to get the hooks in deep but Zook pushed the leg off.
Zook controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Zook tries to break free.
Alexander controlling the position well here. Zook rolled but Alexander kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Alexander gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

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.
Alexander tries to keep control of the position but Zook is staying busy.
Zook covering up well under a series of strikes from Alexander.
Alexander is looking to control Zook but Zook is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Alexander is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Zook is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Alexander thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Alexander is looking to control Zook but Zook is wriggling around and keeping busy.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Scott Alexander just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Zook swats away the attempt to clinch by Alexander.
Alexander throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zook circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zook wants to clinch.
Alexander throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Zook has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alexander is working for takedown but Zook is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Alexander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Alexander in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Scott Alexander has been cut.
Zook lands an elbow just above Alexander 's eye.
Zook lands an elbow just above Alexander 's eye.
Alexander is breathing heavily.
Alexander takes an elbow to the forehead.
Zook lands a damaging elbow.
Zook fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zook comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zook tries a knee to the head but Alexander blocks it.
Zook tries to land a knee to the head but Alexander blocks with his arms.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Zook comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Scott Alexander's cut is getting worse.
Zook stops a takedown attempt from Alexander.
Zook lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook lands an elbow inside that Alexander shrugs off.
Alexander avoiding damage as Zook throws knees to the body.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alexander avoids it.
Zook lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Zook lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zook lands a damaging elbow.
Alexander fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Alexander in his tracks for a moment.
Zook with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alexander avoids it.
Zook with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zook doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zook just misses with a elbow thrown towards Alexander's brow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zook lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zook lands an elbow inside that Alexander shrugs off.
Zook creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexander's defenses.
Alexander goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zook prevents it.
Zook is pushing Alexander up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Scott Alexander's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Alexander misses with a two punch combination.
Zook wants to clinch

and Alexander counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Alexander trying to control but Zook is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zook looking for a sweep. Not yet Zook, not yet.
Zook keeping moving, preventing Alexander from controlling successfully.
Alexander working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alexander wants to pass the guard but Zook is keeping the position.
Alexander wants to control from the top but Zook keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zook looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alexander is one step ahead there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zook is looking to clinch but Alexander is avoiding it.
Zook slips a jab and a cross from Alexander.
Zook wants to clinch.
Alexander misses with a series of wild punches.
Zook tries to clinch there but Alexander circles away.
Scott Alexander is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Zook tries to keep at a distance but Alexander has taken the fight into the clinch.
Alexander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alexander wants to get back to striking at distance but Zook won't allow it.
Zook landing knees to the head.
Zook working Alexander over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Zook is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Alexander can't fight it off and eventually Zook manages to take the fight to the floor. Alexander looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zook's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zook trying to control but Alexander is working from the bottom.
Zook trying to move into half guard but instead Alexander has managed to sweep!
Zook keeping moving, preventing Alexander from controlling successfully.
Alexander stops Zook from standing up.
Zook pulls Alexander in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zook is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Alexander misses with a punch to the body.
Zook looking to throw knees to the head but Alexander is blocking nicely.
Zook can't find room to land a body shot as Alexander controls the action.
Zook using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexander has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zook pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Alexander prevents the takedown attempt.
Alexander swings wildly with an uppercut but Zook uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alexander taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Alexander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zook missing with knees to the body.
Zook throws a knee to the head but misses.
Alexander is trying to drag Zook to the mat but Zook just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Alexander on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Zook lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Alexander.
Alexander tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Alexander is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zook lands a damaging elbow.
Alexander misses with the head strike.
Zook throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zook misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zook throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alexander is trying to break the clinch but Zook is controlling him.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Scott Alexander's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Alexander doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zook counters by clinching up.
Zook misses with a knee to the head.
Zook missing with knees to the body.
Alexander doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alexander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Zook gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Alexander makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zook's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alexander misses with some punches.
Alexander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zook avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Alexander in his tracks for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zook is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Alexander gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Alexander fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Alexander in his tracks for a moment.
Zook throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Alexander swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander tries to stall but Zook uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zook's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alexander avoids it.
Zook creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Alexander managing to block the knees to the body from Zook.
Zook tries a knee to the head but Alexander blocks it.
Zook blocking some punches.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Alexander swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zook lands an elbow just above Alexander 's eye.
Alexander avoiding damage as Zook throws knees to the body.
Zook is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.
Alexander is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zook gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Alexander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexander blocks the elbow strike.
Alexander tries for a takedown but Zook manages to get underhooks.
Alexander prevents the takedown attempt.
Alexander doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alexander goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alexander tries to work over Zook's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alexander manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Alexander managing to block the knees to the body from Zook.
Alexander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zook blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zook lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zook looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alexander lands an uppercut.
Zook misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alexander.
Alexander blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zook throws an elbow but misses.
Zook is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.
Zook lands a damaging elbow.
Alexander lands a right hand.
Alexander is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Scott Alexander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander tries for a takedown but Zook manages to get underhooks.
Nice elbow from Zook.
Zook lands a damaging elbow.
Zook is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.
Zook tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zook gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zook is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.
Alexander tries a body shot but Zook blocks it.
Zook misses with a knee to the head.
Alexander drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zook gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alexander avoids it.
Alexander lands with a light punch inside.
Zook throws an elbow but it misses.
Alexander avoids a wild elbow strike from Zook.
A head punch on the inside from Zook fails to land.
Solomon Zook is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alexander has a couple of punches blocked by Zook.
Alexander wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zook has him pressed against the cage.
Zook throws an elbow but it misses.
Zook using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexander has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zook.
Zook creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zook wants the takedown. Alexander is fighting it off but Zook persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Alexander's guard against the cage.
Alexander lands a good elbow from the bottom.

Zook avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Solomon Zook comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zook has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Zook!