PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sub Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kent Powell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zero comes to the cage accompanied by Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Zero
vs
Powell

190 cm
25
184 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

186 cm
20
197 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Convicted
Nemesis Cage Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sub Zero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kent Powell!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Zero with that takedown attempt.
Powell looks to land a left hand but Zero moved out of range nicely.
Zero shoots for a takedown but Powell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Powell darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Powell drops an elbow to the side of Zero's head.
Powell trying to pass the guard but Zero defending well.
Powell landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zero is trying to get back to full guard.
Powell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Powell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Powell landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Powell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Powell's back!
Powell rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Powell wants to get back to full guard.
Powell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zero.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zero thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Powell's head.
Zero throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zero not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zero has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Zero wants to work for an arm triangle but Powell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zero fails with the takedown

and Powell holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sub Zero. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zero is fighting off a takedown attempt but Powell is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zero to the mat. Zero regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Powell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zero works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zero looking for a sweep. Not yet Zero, not yet.
Powell connects with a couple of short punches.

Zero working for a triangle but Powell defends it easily.
Powell scoring with some ground and pound.
Powell stands up over Zero, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Powell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Powell looking to pass the guard.
Powell lands a couple of digs.
Powell won't allow Zero to sweep him here.
Zero lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Powell!
Powell is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Powell tries to hold on but Zero postures up.
Zero throws some wild stikes that Powell manages to avoid easily.
Powell is desperately trying to improve his position but Zero has a good base and remains in mount.
Zero lands a big shot there that rocks Powell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zero misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero lands with some strikes.
Zero sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Powell is desperately trying to improve his position but Zero has a good base and remains in mount.
Powell tries to hold on but Zero postures up.
Zero takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Powell is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Powell tries to reverse the position but Zero maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zero scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Powell?
Powell takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Powell is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Zero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Powell is looking to escape.
Zero punching from mount but Powell doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powell wants to hold on but Zero pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Zero.
Zero scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Powell?
Powell is in all sorts of trouble here.
Powell looks gassed!
Zero lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Zero thowing shots but they're missing.
Powell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zero punching from mount but Powell doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zero scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Zero sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Powell wants to hold on but Zero pushes him away.
Powell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
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 Sub Zero will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Powell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Powell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zero tries to pull guard but Powell holds him up against the cage and eventually Zero drops back down to his feet.
Powell prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sub Zero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zero fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zero jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Powell walks away with a smile on his face. Zero gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Zero looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zero postures up in Powell's guard and throws a big left but Powell blocks it.
Powell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zero.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Powell keeping full guard, as Zero tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zero's guard.
Powell slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zero is looking to reverse the position.
Powell in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Zero is trying to control Powell's posture but Powell avoids it.
Zero manages to work his way to half guard, despite Powell's best efforts.
Powell working Zero over with strikes.
Powell is nestled in close to Zero, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zero gets full guard.
Zero looking to control.
Powell thows a big elbow that misses.
Zero is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Powell is breathing heavily.
Powell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zero is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero is looking to advance position but Powell won't allow it.
Powell is controlling Zero's trapped leg to prevent Zero from advancing to side control.
Powell throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Zero works his foot free and advances to mount.
Zero trying to control but Powell is having none of it.
Powell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zero looking to finish with strikes here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Zero looking to finish with strikes here!
Zero thowing shots but they're missing.
Zero avoids the attempt from Powell to control.
Zero throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Powell because Zero loaded up on that one.
Zero punching from mount but Powell doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Zero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Powell is looking to escape.
Zero looking to finish Powell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Powell!

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.
Powell regains half guard.

Zero is working for a submission of some sort.
Powell is trying to get back to full guard.

Zero is looking for a kimura here.
Zero missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Powell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Zero seems to be working for a kimura but Powell defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sub Zero will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zero shoots and misses

and Powell counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zero's guard now.
Powell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zero is keeping the position for now.
Zero wants to sweep here but Powell controlling him for the moment.
Powell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Powell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Powell works over Zero with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Powell connects with a couple of short punches.
Zero has momentary wrist control but Powell slips an elbow through the middle.
Powell trying to control but Zero is working from the bottom.
Zero manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Zero cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Powell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Zero sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Powell wants to control but Zero is having none of it.
Powell is trying to escape the mount.
Zero in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Zero in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Powell is trying to escape the mount.
Sub Zero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zero controlling his opponent.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Zero cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powell wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zero.
Zero looking to ground and pound but Powell is blocking nicely.
Zero with a couple of short strikes.
Powell is wriggling around trying to escape.
Zero sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zero with the ground and pound from mount.
Powell is trying desperately to improve position.
Zero sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Zero looking to finish with strikes here!
Zero looking to ground and pound but Powell is blocking nicely.
Zero lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Zero lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Powell hang on?
Zero thowing shots but they're missing.
Powell is desperately trying to improve his position but Zero has a good base and remains in mount.

Zero has hold of Powell's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Powell manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Zero working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Zero tries to control but Powell wriggling away.
Powell wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zero.

Powell defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Zero.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powell holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Zero tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Powell is looking to get to half guard.
Zero with the ground and pound from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zero goes for an armbar but Powell turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Powell.

Zero throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zero has his takedown stuffed

and Powell counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zero!
Powell with the ground and pound from mount.
Zero sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Zero is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Powell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Powell's back!
Powell finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
Powell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Powell is looking to improve his position but Zero isn't that keen on the idea.
Powell holds on for dear life.
Zero avoids the attempt from Powell to control.
Powell is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Poor strikes thrown by Zero there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Powell really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zero.

Zero is going olschool here, as he tries to force Powell to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Powell shrugs it off.
Zero thowing shots but they're missing.
Zero throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Powell because Zero loaded up on that one.
Zero throwing strikes here but Powell is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Zero throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Powell is squirming around, avoiding Zero's attempts to control the action.
Zero misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Zero looking to finish with strikes here!
Zero thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zero thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Powell avoids a strike by Zero and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Zero's guard! Fantastic escape!
Powell is working Zero over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zero trying to keep a closed guard but Powell is proving a slippery customer.
Powell lands a couple of digs.
Powell working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zero wants to sweep but no luck.

Zero looking for a guillotine here but Powell defends easily.
Powell working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zero's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powell tries to free his leg and advance position but Zero is retaining full guard.
Powell distracts Zero with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Powell's guard.
Powell keeping moving, preventing Zero from controlling successfully.
Powell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zero.
Zero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Powell is keeping the position for now.
Powell is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Zero not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Powell trying to keep a closed guard but Zero is proving a slippery customer.
Zero won't allow Powell to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Powell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zero has his takedown stuffed

and Powell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Powell lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Powell throwing strikes but missing.

Zero has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Powell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Powell postures up and lands a big shot to Zero's brow.
Powell landing with the ground and pound.
Powell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zero is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zero keeping moving, preventing Powell from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kent Powell dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Powell with a lazy takedown attempt
and Powell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zero shoots and misses

and Powell counters by moving into the clinch.

Zero pulls Powell into guard.
Powell lands a couple of digs.
Zero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Powell's guard.
Powell has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Zero throwing strikes from guard but Powell blocks nicely.
Zero throwing strikes from guard but Powell blocks nicely.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Zero loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zero looking to pass the guard.
Powell has Zero pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zero lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zero postures up in Powell's guard and throws a big left but Powell blocks it.
Powell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Powell swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zero trying to control but Powell is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Zero scores a takedown into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zero has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Powell's face.
Powell is looking to improve his position but Zero isn't that keen on the idea.
Zero thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Powell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Powell throwing hammer fists to the chest of Zero. What's that going to do exactly?
Poor strikes thrown by Zero there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Powell wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Zero.
Zero can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Powell is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Zero is working for a guillotine from mount but Powell frees his head quite easily.
Powell tries to reverse the position but Zero maintains control.
Zero punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zero throws some wild stikes that Powell manages to avoid easily.
Powell is working to get back to half guard.
Zero looking to control but Powell is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Powell blocking the ground and pound.
Zero lands with some strikes.
Zero landing strikes, looking to finish!
Sub Zero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Powell working to try and regain half guard.
Zero tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kent Powell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Powell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zero trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Zero controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sub Zero showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zero has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 49:46
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sub Zero!
Sub Zero retains his middleweight title!