PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Baruch Zahav (ranked 1969 p4p, 234 weight class) and Carl Menger (ranked 1719 p4p, 208 weight class). Menger has chosen Shiny as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Zahav
vs
Menger

196 cm
29
258 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

187 cm
29
250 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baruch Zahav!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carl Menger!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menger moves forwards but Zahav connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Carl Menger has been cut.
Menger gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zahav.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Menger 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.
Menger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zahav.
Menger drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zahav defends it well.
Zahav looks to score with a jab to the body but Menger is just out of range.
Zahav works the jab nicely.
Menger slips under a jab from Zahav.
Menger moves out of range as Zahav strikes.
Zahav feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mengers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Zahav throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Menger shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menger working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Zahav blocking the ground and pound attempt from Menger.
Zahav is holding on to half guard well.

Zahav kicks off Menger and gets to his feet.
Zahav throws a lazy right hand but Menger sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Menger moves away from the strike by Zahav.
Zahav lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Menger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zahav knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Menger on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menger scores with a couple of short elbows.
Menger working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Menger in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Menger working the ground and pound.
Zahav is trying to control Menger's posture but Menger avoids it.
Menger scores with a couple of short elbows.
Zahav is trying to control Menger's posture but Menger avoids it.
Zahav is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at LOD: Legion's PIT Fight Club that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Zahav on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zahav tries to get out of the position.
Menger landing strikes.
Menger works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Zahav wants to control but Menger postures up.
Zahav taking punishment in the form of punches.
Zahav is trying to get back to his feet.
Menger landing a few strikes.
Zahav tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Menger grinds an elbow into Zahav's temple.
Menger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Menger scores with punches from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zahav on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zahav struggling a bit here.
Menger working the body and head with strikes.

Zahav is rocked!
Zahav takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Oh Zahav is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zahav takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Menger landing a few strikes.
Zahav seems to have got his legs back now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Menger landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Menger working the head and body with strikes.
Zahav taking a bit of punishment here - Menger scoring with strikes.
Menger crunches a massive hammerfist down on Zahav - he's out! Menger Holds back on further strikes and jumps to his feet to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Carl Menger!
A pretty intense looking Carl Menger took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.