PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zhang Zu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RJ McLovin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McLovin has chosen Nas - Hero Instrumental 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.

Zu
vs
McLovin

200 cm
20
190 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
202 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Zhang Zu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, RJ McLovin!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zu takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McLovin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
McLovin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zu.
A bone on bone clash there as Zu blocks the leg kick.
McLovin misses the jab.
Zu misses with an uppercut.
Zu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McLovin.
Zu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McLovin.
McLovin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zu drops his hands momentarily and McLovin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

McLovin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

McLovin stands up and we're back to a striking position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zu tries a head kick but it misses.
McLovin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
McLovin lands a jab to Zu's midsection.
Zu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zu really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A head kick misses from Zu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zu misses with a low kick as McLovin jumps back.
McLovin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zu.
McLovin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zu lands with a kick to the temple. McLovin shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Zhang Zu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zu lets loose with a powerful body kick. McLovin will feel that in the morning.
Zu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zu falls off balance throwing a combination
and McLovin counters with an outside leg kick.
McLovin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McLovin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zhang Zu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zu looks to throw a body kick

and McLovin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McLovin looks gassed!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zu pushes McLovin off looking to stand but McLovin dives back in and keeps control.
McLovin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Zu wants to improve his position but McLovin is controlling well.
Zu is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zu trying to hold on to McLovin's head to control him but McLovin postures up.

McLovin decides to stand and escape the position.
McLovin wants to land a leg kick but Zu is out of range.
Zu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McLovin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zu throws a nice head kick!
McLovin blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zu scoring well with a low kick there.
Zu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLovin. That did some damage!
A head kick from Zu lands but McLovin takes it in his stride.
McLovin swinging wilding here.
McLovin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McLovin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
McLovin checks the leg kick.
McLovin lands an overhand right.
Zu misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from McLovin misses.
Zu throws a nice outside leg kick.
McLovin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Zu throws a leg kick but McLovin moved away.
Zu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zu lands with a slapping head kick.
Zu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zu throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McLovin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Zu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zu is looking to stand up but McLovin isn't so interested in that idea.

Zu is working an open guard so McLovin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLovin avoids the head kick by Zu.
Zu scores with a spinning back kick!
Zu avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zu.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McLovin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zu scores with a nice body kick.
McLovin stuns Zu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McLovin circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zu dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McLovin tries to land a leg kick but Zu saw it coming and moves away.
McLovin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
McLovin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zu.
McLovin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zu.
Zu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McLovin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zu throws a quick inside leg kick.
McLovin throws a right and a left that Zu avoids nicely.
Zu scores with a head kick.
McLovin throws a right hand that Zu ducks under and follows up with a left that Zu also avoids with ease.
Zu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
McLovin thows a body shot but no joy.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zu.
Zu lands with a nice body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zu.
McLovin is breathing heavily.
McLovin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLovin.
Zu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Zu.
A solid leg kick lands there for Zu.
Zu cracks the inside of McLovin's front leg.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zu.
Zu lands a high kick!
Zu throws a sloppy head kick and McLovin moves out of range easily.
Zu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zu lands with a thumping leg kick.
McLovin dodges the punch combination from Zu.
Zu lands with a thumping leg kick.
McLovin moves out of range of the strikes.
Zu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zu slips a jab and a cross from McLovin.
Zu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLovin manages to avoid it.
Zu looks to throw a body kick

and McLovin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McLovin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zu is proving hard to escape from.
Zu keeping moving, preventing McLovin from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zu has his foot on McLovin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McLovin works his way back into a safe position though.
Zu wants to get back to his feet but McLovin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McLovin trying to control but Zu is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McLovin stands up from guard. Let's bang!
McLovin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zu throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zu tries to land a front kick but McLovin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Zu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McLovin misses with a leg kick.
Zu pushes McLovin away with a front kick.
A punch combination from McLovin misses.
McLovin lands a slapping body shot.
Zu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McLovin checks it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhang Zu is winning the standup battle so far.
Zu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McLovin.

McLovin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McLovin can't break the clinch.

McLovin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A combination from McLovin does no damage.
A combination from McLovin does no damage.
McLovin shoots in for a double leg but Zu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The fighters circling - McLovin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zu scores with a kick to the body.
McLovin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Zu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Both fighters circling a little - Zu finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zu throws a head kick that McLovin semi-blocks.
McLovin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zu can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zu dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McLovin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zu. McLovin shrugs it off though.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zu, right into the meat.
Zu thows a body kick. McLovin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zu.
Zu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McLovin.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zu.
Zu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLovin. That did some damage!
Zu lands with a thumping leg kick.
McLovin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
McLovin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zu scores with a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Zu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zu throws a front kick that sends McLovin stumbling back into the cage.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Zu.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zu.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zu throws a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Zu misses.
Zu misses with a body kick.
McLovin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McLovin.
Zu lands a head kick!
McLovin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zu.
Zhang Zu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McLovin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McLovin scores with a punch to the head.

McLovin pushes Zu up against the cage in a clinch.
McLovin tries to break the clinch but Zu is controlling the position.

McLovin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zu. That's going to slow McLovin down.
Zu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McLovin misses with an uppercut. Zu saw that one coming.
McLovin tries a low kick but Zu avoids it.
McLovin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McLovin can do to turn this around?
McLovin displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
McLovin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zu. That's going to slow McLovin down.
Zu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McLovin tries to clinch but Zu is having none of it.

McLovin moves into the clinch successfully.
McLovin'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.
Zu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McLovin tries to pull guard but Zu won't allow it.
Zu prevents McLovin from breaking the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, McLovin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Zu's brow.
McLovin can't break the clinch.

Zu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zu connects with a high kick.
McLovin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zu.
Zu avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zu throws a body kick that misses.
Zu feints and then cracks McLovin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McLovin down.
Zu attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McLovin lands a right hook to the body.
Zu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zu scores with a head kick.

McLovin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McLovin showed some decent athleticism there.

McLovin stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zu misses with a low kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zu.
Zu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

McLovin closes the distance and clinches.
Good body shot from McLovin.
McLovin prevents Zu from breaking the clinch.
Zu has McLovin pressed against the cage, preventing McLovin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

McLovin manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zu drops his hands momentarily and McLovin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zu throws a half hearted mid kick.
McLovin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zu.
Zu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Zu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zu clearly takes that round.
That's time! Zu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McLovin feints and then cracks Zu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zu down.
Zu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zu throws a low kick but McLovin avoids it.
Zu scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Zu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McLovin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Zu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McLovin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McLovin's calf.
Zu stuffs the takedown attempt from McLovin. McLovin gets slowly back to his feet.
McLovin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McLovin looks to land a left hand but Zu moved out of range nicely.
Zu wants to slow McLovin down by chopping away at his legs.
Zu lands a nice looking body kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Zu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McLovin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zu's head.
Zu lands a nice leg kick that just misses McLovin's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zu lands with a nice body kick.
McLovin looks to throw the jab but Zu is out of range.
Zu throws a front kick aimed at McLovin's knee but McLovin avoids it well.
Nice body kick from Zu.
Zu is looking to slow McLovin down with leg kicks.

McLovin clinches.

Zu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Zu lands a head kick!
McLovin throws a shot from downtown. Zu moves away and avoids it.
Zu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McLovin blocks a head kick by Zu.
Zu looks for the body kick but McLovin saw that one coming.
Zu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McLovin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLovin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Zu lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
McLovin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zu.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Zu.
McLovin is looking to chop away at Zu's legs.
McLovin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McLovin is defended easily by Zu.
McLovin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McLovin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zu throws a leg kick which misses McLovin's front leg but catches the back leg as McLovin tries to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zu.
McLovin throws a solid leg kick but Zu takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McLovin.
Zu lands with a slapping head kick.
Zu connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Zu feints and then cracks McLovin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McLovin down.
Zu moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Zu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zu lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zu lands a nice looking body kick.
Zu throws a quick inside leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zu.
Zu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McLovin circles away quickly and effectively.
Zu lands a head kick!
A bone on bone clash there as McLovin blocks the leg kick.
Zu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McLovin swinging wilding here.
Zu tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLovin thows a leg kick but Zu checks it
and Zu counters with a head kick.
McLovin is looking to score with low kicks.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McLovin!
McLovin lands a head shot.
McLovin throws a good cross that connects.
McLovin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

McLovin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McLovin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Zu wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLovin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhang Zu had his way with RJ McLovin in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

McLovin scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick from Zu lands but McLovin takes it in his stride.
Zu dodges the punch combination from McLovin.

McLovin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zu napping and manages to drive through into side control!
McLovin tries to advance to mount but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McLovin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

McLovin decides to take the fight back to the feet.
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.
Zu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLovin. That did some damage!
McLovin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McLovin moves out of range as Zu throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Zu lands but McLovin takes it in his stride.
Zu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLovin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zu throws a nice outside leg kick.
McLovin is looking to clinch but Zu is avoiding it.
McLovin lands a jab to the head.
Zu scores with a leg kick.
Zu throws a sloppy head kick and McLovin moves out of range easily.
McLovin lands with a hook. Zu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zu throws a head kick that misses.
Zu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zu throws a body kick that misses.

McLovin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zu is trying to defend but McLovin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

McLovin postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Zu to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLovin checks a low kick from Zu.
McLovin misses with the combination.
McLovin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

McLovin has managed to clinch.

McLovin breaks from the clinch.
Zu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
McLovin avoids a kick to the body.

McLovin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zu's guard.
McLovin content to stall in guard here.
McLovin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zu swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLovin won't allow Zu to get back to his feet.
Zhang Zu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zu can't keep his opponent in guard - McLovin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McLovin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McLovin prevents Zu from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McLovin keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

McLovin stands up from half guard.
RJ McLovin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zu takes one to the side of the head.
Zu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McLovin.
McLovin misses with a low kick.
McLovin thows a body shot but no joy.
A leg kick checked by Zu.
Zu lands a head kick!
McLovin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zu manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
RJ McLovin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zu 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge William Gold scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zhang Zu!
Zhang Zu retains his middleweight title!