PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shu Fang Tzeng (ranked 619 p4p, 1317 weight class) and Claus Haba (ranked 36 p4p, 78 weight class). Tzeng comes to the cage accompanied by Mantra Chant. Shu Fang Tzeng has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Tzeng
vs
Haba

165 cm
31
135
17 - 3 - 0

150 cm
25
138
13 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shu Fang Tzeng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Claus Haba!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Haba does no damage.
Tzeng takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Haba rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tzeng moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tzeng has a takedown stuffed.
Haba appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Tzeng checks a low kick from Haba.
Tzeng closes the distance and clinches up with Haba, looking for a takedown. Tzeng pushes Haba against the cage but Haba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tzeng showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tzeng has taken the fight to the clinch.
Haba tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tzeng avoids it.
Haba is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haba lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've been hearing reports that Tzeng has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Tzeng tries to pull guard but Haba holds him up against the cage and eventually Tzeng drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shu Fang Tzeng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalling in the clinch from Haba.
Haba working Tzeng over with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Haba.
Tzeng tries to pull guard but Haba won't allow it.
Haba has Tzeng pressed against the cage.
The referee calls for Haba to work.
Tzeng looking for a takedown.

Tzeng pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tzeng looking to hit a scissor sweep but Haba is one step ahead there.
Haba must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Haba trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tzeng's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tzeng has his foot on Haba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Haba works his way back into a safe position though.

Tzeng has his foot on Haba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Haba works his way back into a safe position though.
Haba has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tzeng is proving hard to escape from.
Haba trying to control the position from guard on top but Tzeng is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haba wants to stand but Tzeng is controlling his posture from full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tzeng uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Haba.
Tzeng fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Haba looks to land a combination but Tzeng avoids it well.
Tzeng doesn't manage to clinch there - Haba circles away.
Haba swats away the attempt to clinch by Tzeng.
Haba lands a jab to Tzeng's midsection.
Haba misses with a kick to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tzeng is defended easily by Haba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Haba scores with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Haba. Those never looked like landing.
Haba throws a one two combo.

Tzeng shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Haba's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tzeng wants to control from the top but Haba keeps moving.

Haba looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Tzeng drops back looking for a leg! Haba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Haba manages to kick Tzeng off! Tzeng jumps back into Haba's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Claus Haba dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Haba fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Haba stuns Tzeng with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tzeng moves in looking to clinch but Haba pushes him off.
Haba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tzeng manages to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Haba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haba throws a leg kick that is checked

and Tzeng decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Haba's guard.

Haba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tzeng is aware though and is defending well.

Tzeng got a little sloppy there for a moment and Haba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tzeng has managed to get both his arms back between Haba's legs - danger averted.
Haba keeping moving, preventing Tzeng from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tzeng sitting in guard here, content to control.

Tzeng got a little sloppy there for a moment and Haba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tzeng has managed to get both his arms back between Haba's legs - danger averted.
Tzeng trying to control but Haba is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Haba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tzeng can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Haba wants to get back to his feet but Tzeng passes into half guard.
Tzeng is looking to advance position but Haba won't allow it.

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.

Haba is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tzeng pulls his head out easily.

Tzeng is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haba defends it well.
Haba is staying active underneath Tzeng, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Tzeng is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Haba is trying to stand back up but Tzeng is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tzeng seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haba does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Haba is trying to get back to full guard.
Tzeng looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Tzeng has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tzeng on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tzeng goes for a takedown attempt but Haba pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Haba lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haba scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Haba stuffs the takedown attempt from Tzeng. Tzeng gets slowly back to his feet.
Haba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Haba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Haba landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tzeng fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shu Fang Tzeng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tzeng tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Haba smiles and moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haba rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tzeng moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Tzeng shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Haba manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Tzeng is standing up over Haba. Haba looks to escape but Tzeng dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Claus Haba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Haba moves into the clinch.
Haba lands a body punch.
Tzeng is trying to pull guard but Haba has him pressed against the cage.
Haba is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Haba is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tzeng is defending well for now.
Haba landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Haba takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haba is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tzeng is defending well for now.
Haba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tzeng tries to circle away but Haba has him pinned against the cage.
Tzeng wants to take the fight to the mat but Haba manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Haba leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tzeng jumps guard and drags Haba to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Haba would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Haba wants to stand and escape but instead Tzeng has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Tzeng stands and throws Haba's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Haba is looking to reverse the position.

Tzeng has hold of Haba's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Haba seems comfortable defending it but Tzeng has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Haba is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Haba is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Tzeng couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Shu Fang Tzeng!
An out of breath Shu Fang Tzeng thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.