PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roronoa Zorro Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dark Soul (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.

Zorro Ii
vs
Soul

185 cm
20
215 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

185 cm
27
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roronoa Zorro Ii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dark Soul!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soul throws a right and a left that Zorro Ii avoids nicely.
Soul will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Soul throws a right hand that Zorro Ii ducks under and follows up with a left that Zorro Ii also avoids with ease.
Soul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Zorro Ii fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Soul, pushing him back against the cage.
Zorro Ii wants to take the fight to the mat but Soul manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Zorro Ii tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zorro Ii scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zorro Ii drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Zorro Ii wants the takedown. Soul is fighting it off but Zorro Ii persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Soul's guard against the cage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Soul keeping moving, preventing Zorro Ii from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soul is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zorro Ii throwing strikes from guard but Soul blocks nicely.
Zorro Ii trying to control the position from guard on top but Soul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zorro Ii throwing strikes but missing.
Soul tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Soul working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zorro Ii.
Zorro Ii looking to sit in guard and control but Soul gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zorro Ii is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zorro Ii seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soul being controlled here momentarily.
Soul wants to get up but he can't break Zorro Ii's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Zorro Ii controls Soul momentarily but Soul frees himself.
Soul told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Zorro Ii bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Soul's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zorro Ii throwing strikes from guard but Soul blocks nicely.
Soul is controlling Zorro Ii's posture.
Zorro Ii wants to control from the top but Soul keeps moving.

Zorro Ii is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Zorro Ii wants to control from the top but Soul keeps moving.
Zorro Ii has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zorro Ii won't allow Soul to sweep him here.
Zorro Ii throwing strikes from guard but Soul blocks nicely.
Zorro Ii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zorro Ii is looking to work some ground and pound but Soul has wrist control.
Zorro Ii slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zorro Ii working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zorro Ii looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Soul is avoiding damage well.

Zorro Ii tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zorro Ii has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The strikes coming from Zorro Ii are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roronoa Zorro Ii dominated that 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.

Soul throws a right and a left that Zorro Ii avoids nicely.
Dark Soul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Zorro Ii does no damage.
Zorro Ii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck for Zorro Ii with that takedown attempt.
Soul keeps the fight on the outside.
Zorro Ii shoots in looking for a takedown. Soul tries to sprawl out of it but Zorro Ii keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Soul manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zorro Ii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Horrible takedown by Zorro Ii or perhaps it was just good defense by Soul which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roronoa Zorro Ii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Soul.
Soul connects with a body shot that sends Zorro Ii's belly button to the back.
Soul scores with a jab. Zorro Ii acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A combination from Soul does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zorro Ii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Soul throws a body punch but Zorro Ii moves out of range.
Soul throws a leg kick that is checked
and Zorro Ii counters with a right hand to the body.
Zorro Ii gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Soul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zorro Ii.
Nice uppercut there from Soul.
Zorro Ii's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Soul connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zorro Ii scrambles back to his feet.
Soul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zorro Ii was well out of range. Poor timing from Soul.
Soul avoids the body shot from Zorro Ii.
Soul misses with a series of wild punches.
Zorro Ii shoots for a takedown but Soul saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Soul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soul takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Soul tries to keep at a distance but Zorro Ii has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zorro Ii is trying to drag Soul to the mat but Soul just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Soul wants to get back to striking at distance but Zorro Ii won't allow it.
Soul is trying to force a seperation but Zorro Ii has the dominant position.
Zorro Ii has Soul pressed against the cage, preventing Soul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zorro Ii is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zorro Ii is trying to drag Soul to the mat but Soul just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zorro Ii is looking for a takedown.
Zorro Ii jumps guard but Soul stands there with Zorro Ii around his waist. Zorro Ii gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Soul looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zorro Ii has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Soul after a bit of a struggle.
Zorro Ii has Soul pressed against the cage, preventing Soul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Soul's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zorro Ii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Soul is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Soul blocks a body shot from Zorro Ii.
Soul tries to break the clinch but Zorro Ii is controlling the position.
Zorro Ii has Soul pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Soul manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Soul gets underhooks to prevent Zorro Ii's takedown attempt.
Soul wants to break the clinch but can't.
Soul prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soul is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Soul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck for Zorro Ii with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soul scores with a jab. Zorro Ii acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zorro Ii walks into a straight right hand from Soul.
A telegraphed right hand from Soul misses the target.

Zorro Ii drives through with a takedown into guard.
Soul wants to stand and escape but Zorro Ii is having none of it.
Zorro Ii looking to pass the guard.
Zorro Ii passes Soul's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Soul is trying to stand back up but Zorro Ii is controlling him
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zorro Ii is stalling here. Soul is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Zorro Ii seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Soul has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Roronoa Zorro Ii overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
You can see the frustration on Zorro Ii's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dark Soul 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zorro Ii dodges the punch combination from Soul.
A combination from Zorro Ii does no damage.
Soul swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Zorro Ii counters by moving into the clinch.
Soul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Soul breaks from the clinch.
Zorro Ii blocks a head kick by Soul.
Zorro Ii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice shot lands for Soul.
Soul throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Soul looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Soul takes a swing at Zorro Ii's ribcage but misses.
Soul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zorro Ii fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soul lands a right hook to the body.
Soul digs a good hook to Zorro Ii's body.

Zorro Ii closes the distance and clinches.
Soul is trying to force a seperation but Zorro Ii has the dominant position.
Zorro Ii tries for a takedown but Soul manages to get underhooks.
Zorro Ii tries to score a body lock takedown but Soul shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roronoa Zorro Ii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zorro Ii tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zorro Ii wants a takedown but no success here.
A frustrated look appears on Soul's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Soul tries to break free but Zorro Ii pushes him back against the cage.
Zorro Ii has Soul pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Soul manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zorro Ii has Soul pressed against the cage, preventing Soul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zorro Ii tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Soul just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Soul is trying to break the clinch but Zorro Ii is controlling him.
Soul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zorro Ii prevents Soul from breaking the clinch.
Soul is trying to break free.

Zorro Ii gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soul is trying to stand up here but Zorro Ii is controlling him well.
Soul is looking for a sweep. Zorro Ii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Soul is defending against the submission attempts here by Zorro Ii.
Zorro Ii is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Soul!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zorro Ii throws some wild stikes that Soul manages to avoid easily.
Soul wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zorro Ii.
Soul wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zorro Ii.

Zorro Ii goes for an armbar but Soul turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Soul.

Soul decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Zorro Ii, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soul throws a series of strikes that have Zorro Ii backpedaling.
Soul misses with a series of wild punches.
Zorro Ii misses with a hook. Soul ducked under it nicely.
Zorro Ii drops his hands momentarily and Soul takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zorro Ii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Soul swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soul lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Soul fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zorro Ii tries to clinch up but Soul circles away and keeps his distance.
Zorro Ii slips a jab from Soul.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soul throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zorro Ii.
Soul lands a nice shot to the body.
Soul lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Zorro Ii is rocked!
Soul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dark Soul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Soul 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dark Soul!
An out of breath Dark Soul thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.