PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Zook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cris Dorh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zook comes into the arena with God's Gonna Cut You Down blaring out of the sound system. Dorh has chosen Heaven & Hell as his entrance music. Solomon Zook has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zook
vs
Dorh

177 cm
25
196 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Solomon Zook!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cris Dorh!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dorh fails with a takedown attempt.
Dorh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zook as he avoids it easily.
Zook throws a body kick that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Zook as Dorh shoots in.
Solomon Zook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Dorh.
Zook fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Dorh looks to land a combination but Zook avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dorh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zook moves away.

Zook pushes Dorh up against the cage in a clinch.
Dorh avoids the elbow strike from Zook, against the cage.
Dorh is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zook gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dorh manages to pull guard.
Dorh is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Dorh looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Dorh is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zook slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zook trying to control the position from guard on top but Dorh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dorh pulls Zook in to control the position.

Dorh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zook pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dorh is keeping the position for now.

Zook gets to his feet - Dorh follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zook sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dorh somewhat.
Zook chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Dorh throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zook was covering up waiting for the punch and Dorh finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zook on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zook tries to get out of the position.
Dorh looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dorh postures up.
Zook knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dorh on the ground.
Zook is looking to sweep but instead, Dorh has passed into half guard.

Dorh is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zook sees it coming and defends easily.
Dorh missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dorh throwing shots but Zook is blocking nicely.
Dorh is just content to waste time from the top position. Zook takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Dorh drops back, looking for a kneebar! Zook looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Zook looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Zook!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cris Dorh will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zook displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dorh.
Dorh digs a good hook to Zook's body.
Dorh blocks the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zook wants to land a leg kick but Dorh is out of range.
Zook throws a jab when Dorh was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dorh tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dorh thows a body shot but no joy.
Dorh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zook.
Dorh has a takedown stuffed.
Dorh closes the distance looking to clinch
and Zook counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dorh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zook was well out of range. Poor timing from Dorh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dorh throws a lazy right hand but Zook sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dorh tries for a takedown but Zook circles away easily
and Zook counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dorh is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Solomon Zook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Dorh.
Dorh keeps the fight on the outside.
Dorh tries to clinch up
and Zook connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dorh tries for a takedown but Zook circles away easily
and Zook counters with a thumping low kick.
Solomon Zook is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorh swats away the attempt to clinch by Zook.
Zook takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zook throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Decent striking displayed by Zook there.
Dorh tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Zook counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dorh takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zook gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zook misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dorh.
Zook creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dorh's defenses.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Zook lands an elbow inside.
Zook with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zook lands an elbow just above Dorh 's eye.
Dorh is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zook gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dorh is working for takedown but Zook is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zook throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dorh blocks it with crossed arms.
Dorh takes an elbow to the forehead.
Dorh looking to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zook throws an elbow but it misses.
Zook lands an elbow just above Dorh 's eye.
Dorh managing to block the knees to the body from Zook.

Dorh is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zook can't fight it off and eventually Dorh manages to take the fight to the floor. Zook looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zook has managed to clinch.

Dorh turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Dorh manages to end up in side control.

Dorh is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zook is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zook is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Dorh off and has taken his back!
Zook trying to control.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zook is not going to allow Dorh to sit and survive in this position.
Dorh might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zook kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Dorh has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Zook controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dorh holding both Zook 's hands and preventing any damage.
Dorh tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Dorh is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Dorh is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorh bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Dorh stopping the sweep attempt from Zook.
Zook is controlling Dorh's posture.
Dorh connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook keeping moving, preventing Dorh from controlling successfully.
Dorh works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Dorh is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zook has managed to free his arm - good work.

Dorh is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Dorh is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cris Dorh really 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.

Dorh with a poor takedown
and Zook counters with a nice body kick.
Zook throws a head kick but Dorh moves out of range.
Dorh avoids the head kick by Zook.
Zook throws a head kick that misses.
Dorh tries for a takedown but Zook circles away easily
and Zook makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dorh rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zook moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dorh misses with a body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dorh closes the distance looking to clinch
and Zook counters with a good low kick that Dorh was not able to check.
Zook tries a head kick but it misses.
Dorh takes a swing at Zook's ribcage but misses.
Dorh on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zook. Zook obviously looking to wear him down.
Dorh slips a jab from Zook.
Dorh throws a leg kick
and Zook counters with an inside leg kick.

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.
Dorh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dorh gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zook finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Solomon Zook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Dorh.
Dorh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zook circles away quickly and effectively.
Dorh misses with a series of wild punches.
Dorh scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zook scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Zook tries to land a front kick but Dorh steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Dorh with a poor takedown
and Zook counters with an outside leg kick.
Zook chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zook moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dorh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zook counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dorh is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Dorh with a poor takedown

and Zook holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dorh blocks the elbow strike.
Dorh trying to land knees to the body.
Dorh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Zook.

It looks like Cris Dorh has been cut.
Dorh dodges an elbow strike from Zook.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zook takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Zook connects with a knee to the head.
Zook stalling.
Zook creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dorh avoids it.
Zook landing knees to the body.
Zook tries to land a knee to the head but Dorh blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Zook.
Zook lands an elbow inside.
A knee to the head by Zook.
Zook gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Zook had his way with Cris Dorh in that round.
The cut man is working on Cris Dorh'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. This is the final round!

Zook misses with a head kick.
Dorh has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zook.
Zook lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dorh gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zook counters with a nice low kick that buckles Dorh's knee momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zook tries to clinch but Dorh is having none of it.
Zook avoids the body shot from Dorh.
Zook misses with a hook. Dorh ducked under it nicely.
Cris Dorh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dorh thows a body shot but no joy.

Dorh closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zook to the mat! Zook manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dorh is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Zook keeping moving, preventing Dorh from controlling successfully.
Zook managing to control the position.
Zook looking for a sweep. Not yet Zook, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dorh trying to control but Zook is working from the bottom.
Dorh postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zook controlling Dorh's posture.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dorh throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dorh ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zook moves away.

Zook closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zook lands a nice knee to the body.
Dorh can't break the clinch.
Zook misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dorh tries to work over Zook's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zook misses with an elbow strike.
Dorh takes an elbow to the forehead.
Zook stops a takedown attempt from Dorh.
Zook comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zook trying to land knees to the body.
Zook prevents the takedown attempt.
Solomon Zook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cris Dorh.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Dorh in his tracks for a moment.
Zook misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dorh.
Dorh tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Zook smiles and moves away.
Dorh's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dorh misses with a takedown attempt
and Zook makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Dorh closes the distance but Zook moves to the side

and Zook counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zook lands an elbow that stopped Dorh in his tracks for a moment.
Zook lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Zook comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zook tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dorh avoids it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Zook.
Zook throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dorh blocks it with crossed arms.
Zook lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zook throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dorh blocks it with crossed arms.
Zook gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zook creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dorh's defenses.
Dorh on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dorh tries to pull guard but Zook won't allow it.

Dorh has Zook pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Dorh pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Zook tumbling to the mat - Dorh dives into Zook's guard.
Zook utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Solomon Zook showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zook 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 48:47
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 49:46
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Zook!
Solomon Zook retains his middleweight title!