PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between ZaZa Mutombo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurokawa Kenji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mutombo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Wyclef Jean - 911. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mutombo
vs
Kenji

185 cm
30
190 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

175 cm
39
203 lbs
44 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, ZaZa Mutombo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 22 - 1, fighting out of London, Kurokawa Kenji!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kenji fails to land with a series of punches.
An inside leg kick from Kenji misses.
It looked like Mutombo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A solid body kick from Kenji.
Mutombo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kenji misses with an uppercut. Mutombo saw that one coming.
Mutombo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mutombo moves away from the strike by Kenji.
Mutombo ducks right into an uppercut from Kenji.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mutombo, as that shot connected.
Mutombo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kenji finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A good leg kick by Kenji.
Mutombo loads up on a big right hand but Kenji slips the punch.
Kenji flicks out a counter leg kick but Mutombo steps away.
Kenji throws a head kick that misses.
A slow jab from Kenji misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenji throws a body kick that misses
and Mutombo counters with a series of strikes. Kenji will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kurokawa Kenji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kenji is looking to score with low kicks.
Kenji misses with a low kick.
Kenji lands a jab to the head.
Mutombo jabs Kenji to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kenji lands a leg kick that knocks Mutombo off balance momentarily.
Mutombo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kenji swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kenji lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mutombo's sensitive parts.
Mutombo staying out of range there.
Kenji throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mutombo was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Mutombo looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mutombo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Some bone on bone action there as Mutombo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mutombo half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kenji throws a head kick but Mutombo moves out of range.
Mutombo looks for a takedown but Kenji sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Mutombo. Kenji shrugs it off though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kenji misses with an uppercut.
Kenji rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mutombo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kenji misses with a hook. Mutombo ducked under it nicely.
Kenji thows a leg kick but Mutombo checks it

and Mutombo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kenji blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mutombo.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mutombo throwing shots but Kenji is blocking nicely.
Kenji is holding on to half guard well.
Kenji slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kenji's head.
Kenji is pulling down on Mutombo's head to control his posture.
Mutombo tries to free his leg and advance position but Kenji is retaining full guard.
Mutombo wants to control from the top but Kenji keeps moving.
Mutombo connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kenji preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mutombo is looking to work some ground and pound but Kenji has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kenji managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mutombo checks the leg kick.
Kurokawa Kenji is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kenji thows a leg kick but Mutombo checks it

and Mutombo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kenji working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mutombo.
Mutombo wants to pass the guard but Kenji is keeping the position.
Mutombo landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that ZaZa Mutombo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mutombo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kenji misses with a low kick.
Mutombo lands with an uppercut that bounces Kenji off the cage and back into range.
Kenji throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kenji pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kenji thows a leg kick but Mutombo checks it
and Mutombo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kenji thinking.
A jab from Mutombo finds it's way through Kenji's defenses.
Kenji takes one on the button.
Kenji throws a leg kick
and Mutombo counters with a stiff right hand.
Mutombo lands a head shot.
Kenji throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kenji throws an overhand right that lands on Mutombo's shoulder, as Mutombo tries to avoid the shot.
Mutombo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kenji gets tackled into the cage by Mutombo. Mutombo maintains the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mutombo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo is trying to maintain a safe position but Kenji gets an underhook and turns Mutombo into the cage.
Kenji throws a punch but it's blocked by Mutombo.
Kenji lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mutombo gets through Kenji's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

It looks like Kurokawa Kenji has been cut.
Kenji has had enough of the clinch but Mutombo keeps him there for the moment.
Mutombo takes a shot to the head.
Mutombo is trying to stall.
Kenji swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Mutombo on the inside.
Kenji misses with the head strike.
Mutombo missing with knees to the body.
Mutombo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenji is working Mutombo over against the cage.
Kenji is trying to break the clinch but Mutombo is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Mutombo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kenji gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Mutombo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kenji swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kenji throws a low kick but Mutombo avoids it.
Mutombo quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Mutombo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kenji uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mutombo.
Kenji was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mutombo tries to work over Kenji's front leg with a kick but Kenji checks it.
Kenji moves out of range of the body kick from Mutombo.
Mutombo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Kenji.
Kenji ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mutombo moves away.
Kenji throws a head kick but Mutombo moves out of range.
Mutombo tries to counter with a takedown but Kenji is quick to defend against it.
Kurokawa Kenji seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kenji will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mutombo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kenji attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kenji misses with a leg kick
and Mutombo counters with a nice uppercut.
Mutombo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kenji wants to counter with a clinch but Mutombo pushes him away.
Jab by Mutombo.
Mutombo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kenji looks to throw a body kick
and Mutombo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kenji tries to score with a low kick but Mutombo moves his leg out of the way.
Mutombo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kenji sprawls and moves away.
Kenji throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kenji is predictable there
and Mutombo counters with a low kick, right behind Kenji 's knee.
Kenji waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mutombo.
An attempted straight right counter from Mutombo misses the target.
Kenji ducks under a wild hook from Mutombo.
Kenji appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kenji tests Mutombo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lazy left from Mutombo finds it's target.
Mutombo looks to land a combination. Kenji sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kenji.
Kenji throws a leg kick
and Mutombo counters with a straight right hand.
Mutombo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mutombo moves away from the strike by Kenji.

Mutombo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kenji's half guard.
Mutombo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kenji can do to turn this around?
Kenji blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mutombo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

ZaZa Mutombo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kurokawa Kenji's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kenji throws a right hand that misses
and Mutombo counters with a straight right hand.
A low kick from Kenji misses
and Mutombo counters with a series of strikes. Kenji will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mutombo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mutombo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mutombo connects with a leg kick. Kenji looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kenji is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kenji connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mutombo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kenji takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kenji.
Mutombo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kenji under the eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mutombo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mutombo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mutombo takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Mutombo slips under a jab from Kenji.
Mutombo moves away from the strike by Kenji.
Mutombo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kenji sprawls and moves away.
Mutombo checks a leg kick.
Mutombo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kenji misses with a leg kick
enabling Mutombo to counter with a crisp jab.
Kenji throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mutombo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kenji chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kenji tries to work over Mutombo's front leg with a kick but Mutombo checks it.
Kenji connects with a solid leg kick.
Mutombo moves out of range of the leg kick from Kenji.
Mutombo misses with an uppercut.
No joy there for Mutombo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenji throws a leg kick
and Mutombo counters with a straight right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mutombo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kenji pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kenji scoring well with a low kick there.
A low kick from Kenji is predictable there
and Mutombo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kenji attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A solid body kick from Mutombo.
A low kick from Kenji is predictable there
and Mutombo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kenji turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mutombo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kenji.
Mutombo doesn't manage to clinch there - Kenji circles away.
Kenji is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenji takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kenji looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kenji is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Kenji misses with an uppercut
and Mutombo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kenji thinking.
Kenji takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kenji throws a sloppy head kick
and Mutombo makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kenji really felt that one!
Kenji will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kenji finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mutombo.
Mutombo misses with a double jab.
Kenji misses with a low kick.
Kenji tried to score with a low kick but Mutombo checks it.

Mutombo moves into the clinch.
Mutombo lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenji misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kenji throws a head punch that misses.
Kenji taking a breather.
Mutombo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kenji up against the cage.
ZaZa Mutombo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kenji misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kenji has a couple of punches blocked by Mutombo.
Kenji misses with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kenji tries to circle away but Mutombo has him pinned against the cage.
Kurokawa Kenji has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mutombo has Kenji pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kenji manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
ZaZa Mutombo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mutombo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... ZaZa Mutombo!
A very excited looking ZaZa Mutombo made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.