PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wand Lei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zeburdiah Zappatista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Lei
vs
Zappatista

185 cm
20
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
198 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Powerful

Battalion Athletics

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wand Lei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zeburdiah Zappatista!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lei swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lei misses with a head kick.

Zappatista closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lei did well to prevent Zappatista getting side control.
Zappatista thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lei's head.
Zappatista seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lei does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lei is trying to stand.
Lei keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lei wants to get back to his feet.
Lei avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zappatista.
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. Zappatista connects with a nice short shot to Lei's temple.
Lei knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zappatista on the ground.
Lei is looking to escape.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lei thuds a left hand into Zappatista's body.
Zappatista fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lei.
Lei misses with a straight left.
Zappatista throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lei's head.
Lei throws a leg kick

and Zappatista counters with a nice double leg into guard.
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!
Lei is wriggling around but Zappatista manages to pass to half guard.
Zappatista thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lei pushes Zappatista off looking to stand but Zappatista dives back in and keeps control.

Zappatista looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Zappatista is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Zappatista looks gassed!
Lei is looking to escape.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lei throws a leg kick

and Zappatista counters with a shoot takedown. Lei fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lei wants to get back to his feet but Zappatista is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zappatista postures up and lands a big shot to Lei's brow.
Zappatista connects with a couple of short punches.
Zappatista postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zappatista has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lei wants to stand but Zappatista is controlling the position.
Lei trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Zappatista postures up in Lei's guard and throws a big left but Lei blocks it.
Zappatista postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lei avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zappatista misses with a leg kick.
Lei throws a jab when Zappatista was well out of range.
Zappatista moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zappatista lands a nice looking body kick.

Zappatista shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lei on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lei tries to get out of the position.
Zappatista prevents Lei from standing back up.
Zappatista takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lei is looking to escape.
Zappatista thows a huge punch but Lei dodges it nicely.
Zappatista missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zappatista working Lei over with strikes.
Zappatista thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lei's head.
Zappatista is pressing down on Lei's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lei is holding on for now.
Lei wants to get back to his feet.
Lei blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zappatista.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zappatista ducks under a wild hook from Lei.

Zappatista changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lei looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lei is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zappatista asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Zappatista scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lei to see if he's OK.
Zappatista looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Lei is avoiding damage well.
Zappatista prevents Lei from escaping the position.
Lei defending against the ground and pound.
Lei is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zappatista has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zappatista misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zappatista working the ground and pound but Lei is defending the strikes.
Lei is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Zappatista in side control, throwing shots but Lei defends.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zappatista throws a head kick that misses.
Lei swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zappatista misses with a kick to the body.
Zappatista shoots in for a takedown but Lei shows good takedown defense.
Zappatista throws a low kick but Lei avoids it.
Lei thuds a left hand into Zappatista's body.
Lei throws a head kick that misses.
Zappatista is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lei throws a big shot that misses.
Zappatista avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Zappatista bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zappatista is looking to take a break and control but Lei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lei is pushing Zappatista's head away, looking to escape. Zappatista manages to hold on to the position though.
Zeburdiah Zappatista has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zappatista working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Zappatista is breathing heavily.

Zappatista is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lei has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lei is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Zappatista misses with the ground and pound.
Lei tries to escape but Zappatista is in control.
Zappatista works to advance to full mount. Lei defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Lei wants to try and get back to his feet.

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.
Zappatista pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Lei is trying to stand up.

Zappatista jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Lei manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Zappatista lands a decent elbow from side control.
Lei wants to get back to his feet but Zappatista drags him back down.
Zappatista in side control, throwing shots but Lei defends.
Zappatista advances to mount.
Zappatista looking to ground and pound but Lei is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lei takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Zappatista working the ground and pound effectively.
Zappatista looking to ground and pound but Lei is blocking nicely.
BOOM! Zappatista connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Poor strikes thrown by Zappatista there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Lei wants to get back to his feet.
Zappatista throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lei because Zappatista loaded up on that one.
Lei is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Zappatista thowing shots but they're missing.
Zappatista fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Zappatista thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Zappatista there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lei is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Zappatista throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lei because Zappatista loaded up on that one.
Lei wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Lei is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Lei wants to get back to his feet.
Lei taking shots to the head.
Zappatista with a couple of short strikes.
Zappatista working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Zappatista won't let Lei get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Zappatista lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeburdiah Zappatista showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lei misses with a kick to the body.
Lei misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zappatista fakes the leg kick and cracks Lei in the body.
Zappatista throws a head kick but Lei moves out of range.
Zappatista ducks under a wild hook from Lei.

Zappatista closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lei to the mat! Lei manages to get full guard.

Lei is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Zappatista pulls guard successfully.
Lei tries to stand but Zappatista is controlling from the bottom.
Zappatista looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Zappatista looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lei wants to stand but Zappatista has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zappatista pulls Lei in close to prevent any damage.
Zappatista lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lei!
Zappatista thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

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.
Zappatista thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Lei is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Lei in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Lei is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Zappatista breaks from Lei's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lei trying desperately to get to his feet.
Zappatista landing strikes from the mount and Lei is in trouble!
Zappatista landing shots from mount.
Lei is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lei taking shots to the head.
Zappatista landing strikes from the mount.
Zappatista in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Zappatista misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Zappatista dominating with strikes here.
Zappatista fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Lei is trying to stand up.

Zappatista is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lei has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zappatista thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Zappatista landing strikes, looking to finish!
Lei wants to try and get back to his feet.
Zeburdiah Zappatista is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zappatista looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Lei bucks up and throws Zappatista to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Zappatista tries to land a body kick
and Lei counters with a thumping low kick.
Lei tries to score with a low kick but Zappatista moves his leg out of the way.
Lei swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lei blocks a head kick by Zappatista.
Lei misses with a head kick.
Zappatista scores with a kick to the midsection.
Wand Lei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Zappatista shoots in and bounces Lei off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Zappatista scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zappatista trying to control but Lei is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeburdiah Zappatista comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zappatista 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeburdiah Zappatista!