PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Richard Cullen (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. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Cullen
vs
Zook

180 cm
21
201 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
196 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Syndicate Drugs
•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Richard Cullen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Solomon Zook!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zook tries to close the distance and clinch but Cullen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cullen moves out of range as Zook throws a body kick.
Cullen catches Zook with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A punch combination from Cullen misses.
Cullen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zook moves away.
Zook uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cullen.
Zook fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cullen!
Cullen lands with a nice combination. Zook backs away looking to recover.
Cullen throws a hook but Zook avoids it easily.
Zook keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Some wild striking there from Cullen.
Cullen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zook was well out of range. Poor timing from Cullen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Cullen does no damage.
Cullen connects with a crisp jab.
Cullen throws a series of punches but Zook avoids them all with ease.
Zook looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cullen checks a low kick from Zook.
Zook takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cullen keeps the fight on the outside.
Cullen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zook circles away quickly and effectively.
Richard Cullen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cullen misses with a body shot.
Zook takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cullen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cullen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zook tries to land a front kick but Cullen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cullen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A solid body kick from Zook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zook ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cullen moves away.
Zook shoots in but no luck this time.
No joy there for Cullen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zook fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Richard Cullen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Solomon Zook.
Cullen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cullen looks to throw the jab but Zook is out of range.
Zook throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zook throws out a leg kick but Cullen moves out of range and Zook only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullen misses with a wild body shot.
Cullen scores with a three punch combo!
Cullen lands a slapping body shot.
Cullen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cullen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Cullen punishes Zook's body with a nice straight punch.
Cullen lands with a cross.
Cullen misses with a few strikes there.
Cullen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zook manages to avoid it.
Cullen looks to land a combination. Zook sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cullen takes a swing at Zook's ribcage but misses.
Cullen swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cullen throws a sloppy body shot
and Zook finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Cullen is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zook lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Zook shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Cullen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zook is looking for a kimura but Cullen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zook to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Cullen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cullen tries to sprawl but Zook drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zook is pressing down on Cullen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cullen is holding on for now.
Zook throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen is staying active underneath Zook, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Zook might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cullen kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zook drops an elbow to the side of Cullen's head.
Zook thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cullen's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cullen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Richard Cullen is winning the standup battle so far.
Cullen fails to land with a series of punches.
Richard Cullen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cullen. Zook does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cullen misses with the combination.
Cullen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zook was well out of range. Poor timing from Cullen.
Cullen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Cullen swings for the body but Zook moves out of range.
Cullen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zook on the side of the head.
A jab from Cullen misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullen blocks a jab.
Cullen avoids the head kick by Zook.
Cullen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cullen scores with a jab to the body.
Cullen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cullen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Zook counters with a head kick that drops Cullen!

Cullen is rocked!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zook pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cullen is keeping the position for now.
Oh Cullen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zook trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cullen manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Cullen seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook is trying to control the position but Cullen postures up.
Zook wants to sweep here but Cullen controlling him for the moment.
Cullen looking to sit in guard and control but Zook gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cullen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cullen misses with a two punch combination.
Cullen is looking to wear down Zook with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Cullen looks to score with a jab to the body but Zook is just out of range.
Zook avoids the body shot from Cullen.
Cullen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zook takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cullen blocks a head kick by Zook.
Cullen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zook has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zook fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cullen just misses with a punch to the body.
Cullen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zook tries to clinch up but Cullen circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen lands a nice shot to the body.
Zook tries to clinch there but Cullen circles away.
Cullen cracks Zook with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zook swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cullen misses with a shot to the body

and Zook counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cullen!
Zook punishing his opponent with strikes.
Cullen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Zook lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zook looking to ground and pound but Cullen is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zook sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
BOOM! Zook connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Zook throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Zook throws some wild stikes that Cullen manages to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zook working the ground and pound effectively.
Solomon Zook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zook thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Zook lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Cullen blocking the ground and pound.
Cullen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zook.
Zook trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook really dominated that round.
That's time! Cullen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cullen thows a body shot but no joy.
Richard Cullen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cullen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cullen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cullen misses the shot to the body.
Zook tries to clinch but Cullen is having none of it.
Cullen misses the body punch

and Zook counters by clinching up.

Cullen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zook.
Cullen slips under a jab from Zook.
Zook shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cullen as he avoids it easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cullen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zook.
Zook throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen throws a right and a left that Zook avoids nicely.
Cullen throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Zook avoids the body shot from Cullen.
Zook slips under a jab from Cullen.
Zook looks for a takedown but Cullen sprawls well.
Richard Cullen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Solomon Zook.
Zook tries to land a front kick but Cullen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cullen thows a body shot but no joy.
Zook ducks under a wild hook from Cullen.
Cullen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zook shoots for a double leg takedown but Cullen sprawls well. He's pushed Zook's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zook looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A jab from Cullen misses.
Zook takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zook misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cullen keeps the fight on the outside.
Cullen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cullen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zook looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cullen is fending him off so far but Zook persists. Nope, Cullen circles away and we're back to standing.
Cullen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullen works Zook's body with a nice hook.
Cullen throws a sloppy body shot

and Zook counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cullen won't be happy with that.

Cullen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Cullen stuns Zook with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zook takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cullen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zook.
Cullen throws a sloppy body shot

and Zook counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Zook is looking to work some ground and pound but Cullen has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cullen pushes Zook off and gets back to his feet.
Cullen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cullen moves out of range of the body kick from Zook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Decent striking displayed by Cullen there.
Zook takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zook changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cullen tries to avoid it but Zook manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cullen to the ground. Cullen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook dominated that fourth 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. And we move into the final round!

Zook moves out of range of the strikes.
Zook defending well as Cullen loads up on a big left hand.
Cullen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cullen connects with a crisp jab.
Zook takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Zook shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cullen sprawls well. Cullen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zook gets slowly back to his feet.
Zook slips a jab from Cullen.
Zook is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cullen misses with the combination.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Zook takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cullen swings for the body but Zook moves out of range.
Zook throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cullen stuffs the takedown.
Cullen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zook fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cullen avoids it really well and circles away.
Richard Cullen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Solomon Zook.
Cullen lands a really nice looking cross but Zook seems unphased.
Richard Cullen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Zook uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cullen.
Cullen throws a body punch but Zook moves out of range.
Cullen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cullen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cullen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zook.
Cullen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zook moves away.
Cullen lands a jab-cross combination.
Cullen misses with a body shot.
Cullen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cullen connects with the punch.
Cullen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zook throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zook tries to clinch up.
Cullen misses the shot to the body.
Zook uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cullen.
Cullen throws a jab when Zook was well out of range.

Zook clinches with his opponent.
Zook misses with an elbow strike.
Cullen tries to stall but Zook uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Zook throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cullen blocks it with crossed arms.
Cullen dodges an elbow strike from Zook.
Zook lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Zook misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cullen.
Zook tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zook looking to throw knees to the head but Cullen is blocking nicely.
Zook throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zook misses with an elbow over the top.
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.
Cullen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zook throws an elbow that misses.
Cullen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Cullen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cullen just leaning against Zook, taking a breather.
Cullen is trying to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cullen blocks an elbow strike from Zook.
Cullen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cullen is trying to stall.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zook throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Cullen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zook 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 47:48
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Zook!
Solomon Zook is the new middleweight champion!