PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bill Pitsenbarger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tam Zeus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeus is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Open Road. Bill Pitsenbarger has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Pitsenbarger
vs
Zeus

190 cm
34
195 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

178 cm
33
199 lbs
21 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bill Pitsenbarger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tam Zeus!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That kick from Pitsenbarger tenderised Zeus's leg. Zeus is trying to keep his angry face on.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Zeus has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Pitsenbarger lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zeus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A clash of legs there as Zeus blocks the low kick.
Bill Pitsenbarger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses

and Zeus counters with a single leg into guard. Pitsenbarger didn't expect that.
Pitsenbarger will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zeus throws a big right hand that misses.
Zeus stops Pitsenbarger from standing up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeus wants to pass the guard but Pitsenbarger is keeping the position.
Pitsenbarger is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pitsenbarger 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger keeping moving, preventing Zeus from controlling successfully.
Zeus missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zeus lands a couple of digs.
Zeus advances position into side control!
Pitsenbarger on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Zeus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pitsenbarger keeps working.
Pitsenbarger is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zeus asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Pitsenbarger is not content to let Zeus control the position.
Pitsenbarger wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger stops Zeus from passing to mount.
Pitsenbarger tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

Zeus is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Pitsenbarger defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zeus trying to control momentarily.
Zeus has Pitsenbarger flattened out and is raining down punches.

Zeus looking for the choke from the back.
Pitsenbarger is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Hellacious Academy, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Pitsenbarger trying to control but not successfully.
Pitsenbarger has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger is really stuck here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pitsenbarger wants to get back to his feet.
Pitsenbarger turns into Zeus and is now in his guard.
Zeus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pitsenbarger trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zeus's guard.
Zeus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pitsenbarger trying to control but Zeus is working from the bottom.
Zeus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Pitsenbarger lands a leg kick that knocks Zeus off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger scores with a hook.
Pitsenbarger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zeus has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zeus fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pitsenbarger looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pitsenbarger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zeus thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good work by Zeus as he checks the leg kick.
Pitsenbarger uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Pitsenbarger - that will leave a mark!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pitsenbarger throws the kick towards the body but Zeus avoids it.
Pitsenbarger ducks under a wild hook from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tam Zeus will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zeus avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
A head kick misses from Pitsenbarger.

Zeus shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Zeus showed some decent athleticism there.

Zeus is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Zeus wants to control but Pitsenbarger is keeping him busy.
Zeus not doing much here.
Pitsenbarger pushes Zeus off looking to stand but Zeus dives back in and keeps control.
Zeus is looking to advance position but Pitsenbarger won't allow it.
Pitsenbarger is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger has hold of Zeus's hands but Zeus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pitsenbarger tries to roll over but Zeus keeps him under control.
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. Zeus connects with a nice short shot to Pitsenbarger's temple.
Zeus tries to pass to full mount but Pitsenbarger defends it.
Zeus stops Pitsenbarger from getting back to his feet.
Pitsenbarger is refusing to be controlled, as Zeus sits in half guard.
Zeus throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zeus lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Zeus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ground and pound from Zeus.
Zeus seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pitsenbarger does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zeus lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pitsenbarger is trying to stand up here but Zeus is controlling him well.
Zeus controlling the pace.
Pitsenbarger pushes Zeus off looking to stand but Zeus dives back in and keeps control.
Zeus perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Zeus is trying to control the action in half guard but Pitsenbarger is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pitsenbarger wants to control but Zeus is keeping busy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pitsenbarger attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Pitsenbarger throws a sloppy head kick and Zeus moves out of range easily.
Pitsenbarger takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Bill Pitsenbarger has been cut.
Zeus throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Pitsenbarger stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeus shoots in but no luck this time.
Pitsenbarger misses with a head kick.
Zeus chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pitsenbarger can pounce on him.
Pitsenbarger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pitsenbarger swings for the body but Zeus moves out of range.
Pitsenbarger throws a low kick but Zeus moves out of range easily.
Zeus takes a swing at Pitsenbarger's ribcage but misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick but Zeus moves out of range.
Bill Pitsenbarger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zeus throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pitsenbarger's waist but Pitsenbarger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zeus off to one side.
Zeus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick but Zeus moves out of range.
Zeus takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Pitsenbarger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zeus swings widly with a right hand
and Pitsenbarger counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zeus's knee momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeus shoots in looking for a takedown but Pitsenbarger manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zeus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bill Pitsenbarger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tam Zeus.
Zeus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pitsenbarger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pitsenbarger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tam Zeus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Pitsenbarger changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A cross from Zeus lands.
Pitsenbarger throws a low kick but Zeus avoids it.
Zeus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pitsenbarger.
Zeus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zeus checks the leg kick.
Pitsenbarger lands a leg kick that knocks Zeus off balance momentarily.
Zeus misses with an uppercut. Pitsenbarger saw that one coming.
Pitsenbarger uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger tries to clinch up but Zeus circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circling - Zeus throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pitsenbarger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeus works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Pitsenbarger is looking to clinch but Zeus is avoiding it.
Pitsenbarger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pitsenbarger with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pitsenbarger looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pitsenbarger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zeus.
A swing and a miss from Zeus.
Pitsenbarger connects with a solid leg kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeus on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pitsenbarger. Pitsenbarger obviously looking to wear him down.
Zeus avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Jab, jab by Zeus - just one landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pitsenbarger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Zeus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pitsenbarger defends it nicely.
A leg kick checked by Zeus.
Pitsenbarger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Pitsenbarger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crunch! Pitsenbarger slams his shin into Zeus's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger lands an overhand right.
Pitsenbarger throws a leg kick which misses Zeus's front leg but catches the back leg as Zeus tries to avoid it.
Pitsenbarger misses with a wild body shot.
Pitsenbarger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zeus.
Zeus lands with a straight right. Pitsenbarger didn't see that one coming.
Pitsenbarger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zeus looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pitsenbarger throws a push kick but Zeus slaps the foot to one side.
Bill Pitsenbarger is winning the standup battle so far.
Zeus checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nice defenses there by Pitsenbarger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger works Zeus's body with a nice hook.
Zeus bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pitsenbarger's head backwards.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zeus takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Pitsenbarger scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pitsenbarger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pitsenbarger throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bill Pitsenbarger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zeus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pitsenbarger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pitsenbarger throws a body kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bill Pitsenbarger showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zeus 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

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