PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Billy Cubbedge (ranked 56 p4p, 272 weight class) and Zack Rize (ranked 6 p4p, 42 weight class). Rize comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Luke Combs - When It Rains It Pours kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Zack Rize has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Cubbedge
vs
Rize

194 cm
25
270
17 - 4 - 0

197 cm
25
260
17 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy Cubbedge!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zack Rize!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cubbedge moves out of range of the strikes.
Rize keeps the fight on the outside.
Cubbedge looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Cubbedge checks a low kick from Rize.
Nice defenses there by Cubbedge.
A left and a right from Rize both land. Nice combination.
Rize lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cubbedge. Rize does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cubbedge on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rize throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rize dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cubbedge moves out of range as Rize strikes.
Cubbedge swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Rize has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Cubbedge throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rize needs to keep his hands up - Cubbedge had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rize cracks Cubbedge with an open hand slap.
Some bone on bone action there as Cubbedge checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rize works Cubbedge's body with a nice hook.
Rize misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cubbedge.
Cubbedge appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cubbedge shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Cubbedge lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rize at a distance.
Cubbedge pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rize just misses with a punch to the body.
Rize fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cubbedge has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cubbedge wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rize.
Rize tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cubbedge is able to avoid easily.
Cubbedge throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rize dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rize connects with a right hand. Cubbedge shakes it off.

It looks like Billy Cubbedge has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rize is looking to score with low kicks.
Rize throws a leg kick that misses.
Rize swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cubbedge counters with a straight right hand.
Rize darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A jab from Cubbedge misses.
Rize scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge checks a low kick from Rize.
Decent striking displayed by Rize there.
Cubbedge takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Decent striking displayed by Rize there.
Cubbedge lands with an uppercut that bounces Rize off the cage and back into range.
Rize connects with a solid leg kick.
A jab from Rize misses.
Cubbedge tries to clinch but Rize moves out of range.
Cubbedge misses with a wild body shot.
Cubbedge ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rize. That's going to slow Cubbedge down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge defending well as Rize loads up on a big left hand.
Cubbedge swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rize misses with a hook
and Cubbedge counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rize wants to slow Cubbedge down by chopping away at his legs.
Cubbedge connects with a single shot there.
Rize moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cubbedge takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rize uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A nice leg kick from Rize, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rize swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rize misses with a wild body shot.
Rize throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cubbedge stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Rize dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Cubbedge's cut.
That's time! Cubbedge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rize throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zack Rize seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rize works the jab nicely.
Rize lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rize misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cubbedge closes the distance looking to clinch
and Rize counters with a stiff right hand.
Rize throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rize uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cubbedge.
A big right from Cubbedge misses.
Rize buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rize digs a good body shot into Cubbedge's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rize throws a low kick, looking for Cubbedge's leg but Cubbedge calmly moves out of range.
Cubbedge moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rize.
Rize misses with an uppercut. Cubbedge saw that one coming.
Rize comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cubbedge takes a jab right on the kisser.
A head kick by Rize misses
and Cubbedge counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Cubbedge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rize has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rize misses with a hook.
Good work by Cubbedge as he checks the leg kick.
Cubbedge was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rize throws a body punch but Cubbedge moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Cubbedge checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rize ducks right into an uppercut from Cubbedge.
Rize works Cubbedge's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cubbedge is looking to clinch but Rize is avoiding it.
Rize is looking to slow Cubbedge down with leg kicks.
Cubbedge on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cubbedge digs a good body shot into Rize's ribs.
Cubbedge doesn't manage to clinch there - Rize circles away.
Cubbedge takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cubbedge swings for the body but Rize moves out of range.
Cubbedge takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge misses with a body shot
and Rize connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rize lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cubbedge throws a body punch but Rize moves out of range.
Rize throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rize blocks a jab.
Rize swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Cubbedge misses its target.
Rize lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rize.
Rize throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cubbedge sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rize throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cubbedge sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cubbedge swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cubbedge's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rize scores with a jab to the head.
Rize connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Cubbedge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rize, pushing him back against the cage.
Cubbedge is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rize blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cubbedge lands a nice knee to the body.
Rize is breathing heavily.
Cubbedge scores with a knee to the head.
Cubbedge lands an uppercut.
Rize tries to throw a body punch but Cubbedge avoids it by throwing Rize back against the cage.
Cubbedge scores with a knee to the head.
Cubbedge is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rize is defending well for now.
Cubbedge misses with a punch on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Rize scores with a shoulder strike.
Cubbedge lands a nice uppercut.
Cubbedge has a couple of punches blocked by Rize.
Rize struggles to land a body shot inside as Cubbedge controls his hands.
Cubbedge lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rize.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Rize showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Billy Cubbedge's cut.
That's time! Cubbedge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rize takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cubbedge walks into a left hand.
Cubbedge throws a hook but Rize avoids it easily.
Cubbedge tries to close the distance and clinch but Rize swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rize only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rize fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cubbedge checks it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Cubbedge misses the target.
Cubbedge throws a big shot that misses.
Cubbedge looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Cubbedge blocks a jab.
Cubbedge moves out of range as Rize strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rize clobbers Cubbedge with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rize moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Cubbedge checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cubbedge moves out of range as Rize strikes.
Rize thumps Cubbedge with a low kick.
Cubbedge takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A shot to the body from Cubbedge misses
and Rize counters with a left and a right that stings Cubbedge.
Cubbedge takes one to the side of the head.
Rize misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cubbedge.
Cubbedge misses with a wild body shot.
Cubbedge misses with a body shot.
Cubbedge misses with a hook.
Rize looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A swing and a miss from Rize.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge dips to his left and cracks Rize with an uppercut!
Nice cross by Rize.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rize works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cubbedge walks into a left hand.
Cubbedge tries to move into range but Rize moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rize scores with a shot to the body.
Rize tries to work over Cubbedge's front leg with a kick but Cubbedge checks it.
Rize misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cubbedge.
Rize scores with a shot to the body.
Rize misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rize misses with a looping right.
Rize cracks Cubbedge with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rize throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rize throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cubbedge swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zack Rize seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cubbedge misses with a body punch
and Rize counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cubbedge thinking.
Rize throws a jab when Cubbedge was well out of range.
Cubbedge fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rize manages to avoid it.
Cubbedge needs to keep his hands up - Rize had a free shot at his head there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cubbedge checks a leg kick.
Cubbedge uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rize.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cubbedge misses with an uppercut.
Rize takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rize uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rize thows a leg kick but Cubbedge checks it
and Cubbedge counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rize thinking.
Rize connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rize circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rize flicks out a counter leg kick but Cubbedge steps away.
Rize looks for a takedown but Cubbedge sprawls well.
Rize defending well as Cubbedge loads up on a big left hand.
Rize wants to slow Cubbedge down by chopping away at his legs.
Cubbedge throwing a counter right hand but Rize manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Rize really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Cubbedge's cut.
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.

Rize waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cubbedge.
It looked like Cubbedge was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rize stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rize.
Rize looks to land a left hand but Cubbedge moved out of range nicely.
Cubbedge slips a jab from Rize.
Rize fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Rize throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rize staying out of range there.
Cubbedge misses with a double jab.

Cubbedge closes the distance and pushes Rize back into the cage.
Rize tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cubbedge's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rize tries to work over Cubbedge's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cubbedge lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rize tries a body shot but Cubbedge blocks it.
Rize is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cubbedge utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Billy Cubbedge has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rize is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cubbedge softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cubbedge lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cubbedge has a couple of punches blocked by Rize.
Rize throws a punch but it's blocked by Cubbedge.
Rize misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cubbedge stalling in the clinch.
Cubbedge pushes Rize back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rize has a couple of punches blocked by Cubbedge.
Rize tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rize tries to break free but Cubbedge pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Cubbedge.
Cubbedge tries a knee to the head but Rize blocks it.
A short left from Rize.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cubbedge.
Cubbedge can't find room to land a body shot as Rize controls the action.
A left hand lands to the body for Cubbedge.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short body shot lands from Cubbedge as the two fighters clinch.
Cubbedge lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short uppercut from Cubbedge.
Cubbedge lands a shoulder strike.
A short left from Cubbedge.
Rize lands a hook that snaps the head of Cubbedge backwards.
Cubbedge putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rize in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Cubbedge lands a nice knee to the body.
Cubbedge lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rize backwards.
Cubbedge is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rize swings wildly with an uppercut but Cubbedge uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cubbedge.
Rize misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Cubbedge scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cubbedge working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cubbedge scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cubbedge throws a punch but it's blocked by Rize.
Cubbedge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cubbedge tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cubbedge tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cubbedge tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rize avoids it.
Rize misses with some punches.

Rize breaks the clinch.
Rize throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A good leg kick by Rize.
Rize keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rize tries to land a leg kick but Cubbedge saw it coming and moves away.
Rize lands a nice shot that snaps Cubbedge's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rize misses with a left hand
and Cubbedge counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Rize throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rize swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cubbedge.
Cubbedge ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rize moves away.
A cross from Rize lands.
Rize looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rize buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rize fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rize jabs Cubbedge to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Cubbedge had his way with Zack Rize in that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Cubbedge's cut.
That's time! Cubbedge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Rize lands with a good body shot.
Rize throws a body punch but Cubbedge moves out of range.
Cubbedge takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cubbedge keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rize.
Cubbedge is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rize misses with a straight left.
Cubbedge is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Rize swings for the body but Cubbedge moves out of range.
Cubbedge misses with a shot to the body
and Rize counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rize lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cubbedge swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rize counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cubbedge waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rize.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cubbedge tries to clinch but Rize is having none of it.
Rize jabs Cubbedge to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cubbedge wants to clinch up but Rize keeps it at a distance.
A good leg kick by Rize.
Cubbedge throws a hook to the side of Rize's head but Rize sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cubbedge thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cubbedge uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rize.
Cubbedge looks to throw the jab but Rize is out of range.
Rize appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Cubbedge throws a lazy uppercut
and Rize counters with a nice uppercut.
Cubbedge keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rize slips a jab from Cubbedge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rize misses with a looping right.
A jab from Rize misses.
Rize scores with a nice right hand.
Rize uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cubbedge.
Cubbedge avoids the body shot from Rize.
Cubbedge was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rize fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cubbedge avoids it really well and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Cubbedge misses the target.
Rize throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rize wants to land a leg kick but Cubbedge is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rize lands with a right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cubbedge darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rize jabs Cubbedge to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rize connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cubbedge connects with a looping right hand.
Rize misses with an uppercut.
Rize lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cubbedge ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rize moves away.
Cubbedge wants to clinch but Rize slips to the side
and Rize counters with a nice low kick that buckles Cubbedge's knee momentarily.
Rize lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rize throws a right hand that misses
and Cubbedge counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rize thinking.
Rize throws the left hand but Cubbedge avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Cubbedge misses the target.
Rize throws a shot from downtown. Cubbedge moves away and avoids it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rize scores with a nice head shot.
Zack Rize is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cubbedge throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rize on the side of the head.
Rize ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cubbedge moves away.
Cubbedge takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Billy Cubbedge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cubbedge ducks under a wild hook from Rize.
Rize throws a low kick but Cubbedge avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Rize comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rize 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 46:49
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Rize!
Zack Rize is the new heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Zack Rize 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.