PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between King Zulu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoli Valutchko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zulu comes to the cage accompanied by Jungle Music. Anatoli Valutchko acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Zulu
vs
Valutchko

215 cm
19
300 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

204 cm
22
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

recos laboratory

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, King Zulu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anatoli Valutchko!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valutchko doesn't manage to clinch there - Zulu circles away.
Horrible takedown by Zulu or perhaps it was just good defense by Valutchko which made him look bad.
Zulu tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Valutchko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zulu is looking to clinch but Valutchko is avoiding it.
Valutchko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

It looks like King Zulu has been cut.
Valutchko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zulu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Valutchko looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zulu moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Zulu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zulu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Zulu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valutchko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Valutchko advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valutchko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Valutchko is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Zulu reverses the position - he's now on top in Valutchko's guard.
Zulu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Valutchko looking for a sweep. Not yet Valutchko, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valutchko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Valutchko controls Zulu momentarily but Zulu frees himself.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Valutchko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Valutchko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Valutchko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Valutchko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Valutchko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zulu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Valutchko is trying to strike from the bottom but Zulu has passed into full mount.
Zulu controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Valutchko tries to hold on but Zulu postures up.
Valutchko slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Valutchko looks gassed!
Zulu is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Zulu blocks the strikes from Valutchko.
Valutchko gets full guard.
Zulu wants to stand but Valutchko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zulu wants to pass the guard but Valutchko is keeping the position.
Zulu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zulu drops back looking for a leg! Valutchko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Valutchko manages to kick Zulu off! Zulu jumps back into Valutchko's guard.
Valutchko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zulu's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko won't allow Zulu to sweep him here.

Valutchko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zulu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Zulu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zulu can't keep his opponent in guard - Valutchko advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Zulu is trying to get back to full guard.

Zulu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Valutchko looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Zulu looks like he's trying to stand up.

Zulu actively working from the bottom here.
Zulu is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Valutchko lands a nice short elbow.

Zulu is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Valutchko pulls his head out easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Valutchko throws a body punch but Zulu moves out of range.
Zulu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Valutchko.
Valutchko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Anatoli Valutchko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A choreographed right hand from Valutchko misses the target.
Zulu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Valutchko tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zulu counters with an inside leg kick.
Valutchko misses with a combination

and Zulu holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zulu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zulu unloads a knee to the mid-section. Valutchko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Stalling in the clinch from Valutchko.
Valutchko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zulu has him pressed against the cage.
Zulu misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoli Valutchko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on King Zulu'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.

Zulu moves forwards but Valutchko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Valutchko circles away from the clinch attempt
and Valutchko counters with a two punch combo.
Zulu moves out of range of the strikes.
Zulu moves in looking to clinch but Valutchko pushes him off.
Zulu is looking to clinch but Valutchko is avoiding it.
Valutchko scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zulu in his tracks.
Valutchko tries to clinch
and Zulu counters with a solid body kick.
Valutchko looks to clinch

and Zulu counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Zulu.
Zulu connects with a knee to the head.
Zulu is looking to control Valutchko's arms but Valutchko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zulu has his back to the cage.
Zulu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valutchko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Valutchko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zulu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Valutchko throws a nice looking combination but Zulu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zulu lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zulu lands a head kick!

Valutchko pushes Zulu up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valutchko fails to pull guard.

Valutchko breaks from the clinch.
Anatoli Valutchko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Valutchko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zulu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Valutchko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zulu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Valutchko throws a jab but it's blocked by Zulu.
Valutchko tries to clinch but Zulu is having none of it.
Valutchko shoots in and drives through. Zulu sprawls well.
Valutchko closes the distance and clinches up with Zulu, looking for a takedown. Valutchko pushes Zulu against the cage but Zulu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
King Zulu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anatoli Valutchko.
Zulu wants to clinch.
Valutchko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Valutchko closes the distance and clinches.
Zulu prevents Valutchko from breaking the clinch.
Valutchko slows down the pace here.
Zulu pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko keeps control of Zulu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zulu misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valutchko.
Zulu stops a takedown attempt from Valutchko.
Valutchko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zulu prevents it.
Valutchko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Valutchko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valutchko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zulu throws an elbow that misses.
Zulu with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Zulu - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Valutchko blocks an uppercut.
Zulu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valutchko.
Zulu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zulu looking to throw knees to the head but Valutchko is blocking nicely.
Zulu trying to stall but Valutchko improves his position.
Valutchko tries for a takedown but Zulu manages to get underhooks.
Zulu stalling.
Valutchko dodges an elbow strike from Zulu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valutchko goes for a takedown attempt but Zulu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Zulu closes the distance and clinches.
Zulu throws an elbow that misses.
Valutchko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zulu is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zulu misses with a punch on the inside.
Valutchko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Valutchko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zulu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Valutchko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Valutchko wants to stall.
Zulu landing knees to the body.
Zulu lands an elbow that stopped Valutchko in his tracks for a moment.
Nice elbow from Zulu.
Valutchko has had enough of the clinch but Zulu keeps him there for the moment.
Zulu lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A bit of stalling here from Zulu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zulu breaks the clinch.

Zulu pushes Valutchko up against the cage in a clinch.
Zulu is stalling here.
Valutchko is trying to break the clinch but Zulu has him pressed against the cage.

Zulu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zulu closes the distance and clinches.
Zulu tries to land a knee to the head but Valutchko blocks with his arms.
Valutchko wants to stall.
Zulu throws an elbow that misses.
Zulu lands a knee to the body.
Zulu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valutchko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zulu using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valutchko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zulu lands a nice elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knees in the clinch landing for Zulu.
Valutchko looking to stall.
Zulu landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Valutchko has Zulu pressed against the cage.
Valutchko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

King Zulu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on King Zulu's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Valutchko clinches but Zulu breaks the clinch

and Zulu moves into the clinch.
Valutchko wants to stall.
Zulu has Valutchko pushed against the cage.
Valutchko blocks the elbow strike.
Zulu with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Zulu working aggressively here.
Zulu is trying to maintain a safe position but Valutchko gets an underhook and turns Zulu into the cage.
Valutchko can't break the clinch.

Valutchko manages to break the clinch.
Valutchko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Zulu slips a jab from Valutchko.

Valutchko darts in and clinches Zulu up against the cage.

Valutchko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valutchko misses with a hook.
Zulu tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Valutchko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Valutchko is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zulu prevents the takedown attempt.
Valutchko wants to break free but Zulu has control.
Valutchko looking to stall.
Zulu using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Valutchko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zulu missing with knees to the body.
The is referee keeping an eye on Valutchko - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Valutchko is trying to break free.
Valutchko'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.
Zulu tries to stall but Valutchko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Valutchko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zulu fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Zulu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valutchko misses with a wild body shot.
Zulu wants to clinch but Valutchko slips to the side

and Valutchko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zulu wants to control but Valutchko is keeping busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Valutchko connects with a nice short shot to Zulu's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Valutchko lands a nice short elbow.
Valutchko working over Zulu with some ground and pound. Zulu looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Zulu is trying to stand back up but Valutchko is controlling him
Valutchko is pressing down on Zulu's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zulu is holding on for now.
Valutchko stops Zulu from getting back to his feet.
Valutchko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Zulu is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valutchko moves nicely into side control.
Oh Zulu is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zulu wants to control but Valutchko postures up.
Valutchko scoring with punches from side control.
Valutchko cracks Zulu with a big right hand but Zulu just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Valutchko advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zulu taking shots to the head.
Valutchko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

King Zulu's cut is getting worse.

Valutchko looking to secure an arm triangle but Zulu defends it well.
Valutchko landing strikes, looking to finish!
Zulu is in all sorts of trouble here.

Valutchko jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Zulu is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Zulu and Valutchko has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Check out the look on Valutchko's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Zulu manages to work his way to half guard, despite Valutchko's best efforts.
Zulu trying to control here.
Valutchko is trying to control the action in half guard but Zulu is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Valutchko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zulu with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Valutchko working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Valutchko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Valutchko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zulu is trying to get back to full guard.

Zulu looking for submissions off his back.
Valutchko scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Zulu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zulu seems to have got his legs back now.
Valutchko is thwarting Zulu's attempts to control the position.
Valutchko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zulu trying to control but Valutchko postures up.
Zulu manages to get to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anatoli Valutchko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Valutchko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoli Valutchko!