PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Athrun Zala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herman Trang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zala might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Drowning Pool - Bodies. Herman Trang is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Zala
vs
Trang

185 cm
24
220 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

200 cm
22
220 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GMMA Supplements 160
GMMA Supplements 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Athrun Zala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Herman Trang!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zala throws a right and a left that both miss.
Trang slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Trang throws a lazy uppercut

so Zala counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zala trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Trang has his feet on Zala's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Trang defending well as Zala loads up on a big left hand.
Trang scores with a jab to the body.
Zala fails to land the takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zala closes this distance looking for a takedown but Trang circles away.
Trang lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Trang finds it's way round the side to connect with Zala's head.
Zala dives in and grabs Trang's left leg, looking for a takedown. Trang pushes down on Zala's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Athrun Zala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zala with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Trang to score with a decent uppercut.
Zala fails with a takedown attempt.
Zala moves away from the strike by Trang.
Trang has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Trang tries to clinch but Zala moves out of range.
Zala misses with a body shot.
Trang keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zala.
Trang throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zala shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Trang but Trang pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Trang throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zala sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A shot to the liver by Trang. Beautiful body shot.
Trang throws a lazy right hand but Zala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Trang goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Trang throws out the jab.
Trang ducks under a wild hook from Zala.
Trang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zala throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Trang sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Trang jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Trang misses with a hook. Zala ducked under it nicely.
Trang tries to clinch but Zala moves out of range.
Trang is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Zala throws an off balance right hand
and Trang counters with a straight right hand.
Zala shoots in for a takedown but Trang shows good takedown defense.
Zala throws a nice looking combination but Trang bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Trang might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Trang throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zala is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Trang's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Zala blocks a jab.
Zala takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trang lands a nice looking body kick.
Zala is breathing heavily.
Zala throws a leg kick
and Trang counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Trang misses the shot to the body.
Zala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Trang.
Zala thows a body shot but no joy.
Trang scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Trang throws a head kick that half lands.
Zala rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Trang counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Trang connects with a body shot.
Trang jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Trang swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zala.
Trang stalks Zala and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zala's face. Zala staggers backwards, shaken.
Zala tries to land a leg kick but Trang saw it coming and moves away.
Trang lands a lovely overhand right.
Trang connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zala. Zala circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Trang throws out a loose jab but Zala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Trang is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Zala had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Trang moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Trang lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Zala at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A telegraphed right hand from Trang misses the target.
Trang ducks under a wild hook from Zala.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Zala.
Zala avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Trang blocks a jab.
Zala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Trang.
A solid leg kick lands there for Trang.
Trang misses with an uppercut. Zala saw that one coming.
Decent striking displayed by Trang there.
Zala misses the jab.
Zala gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Trang ducks under a wild hook from Zala.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zala throws a series of punches but Trang moves out of range.
Trang cracks Zala with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Trang lands a lovely overhand right.
Trang lands with a straight right. Zala didn't see that one coming.
Trang misses with a hook. Zala ducked under it nicely.
Trang throws a lazy right hand but Zala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zala.
Zala lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Trang down.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zala is looking to take a break and control but Trang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zala throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Trang manages to get back to half guard.
Trang on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Zala 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.
Zala throwing shots but Trang is blocking nicely.
Zala takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Trang is trying to stand up here but Zala is controlling him well.
Trang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zala sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Trang defending well though.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zala missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Trang is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zala scores with a couple of nice shots.
Zala passes to side control.

Trang explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Zala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Trang was well out of range. Poor timing from Zala.
Trang moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zala throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Trang clinches with his opponent.
Zala trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herman Trang dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Zala ducks under a wild hook from Trang.
Zala throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Trang sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zala pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zala swings for the body but Trang moves out of range.
Zala ducks under a wild hook from Trang.
Trang tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zala was well out of range. Poor timing from Trang.
Zala connects with a body shot that sends Trang's belly button to the back.
Zala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Trang connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Zala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zala looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trang throws a looping overhand right but Zala ducks down to avoid it.
Trang tests Zala's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Trang swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zala counters with a nice uppercut.
Zala throws a right hand that misses
and Trang counters with a big head kick but Zala shrugs it off.
Nice defenses there by Trang.
Herman Trang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zala shoots in for a double leg but Trang sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Trang. Zala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Trang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Trang throws a combination. Zala tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Trang lunges at Zala with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zala's hand.
Herman Trang seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trang darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
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!
Trang throws a lazy right hand but Zala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zala swats away the attempt to clinch by Trang.
Zala is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Zala shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Zala showed some decent athleticism there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zala thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Trang to regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zala prevents Trang from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zala keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Trang's head.
Zala trying to control the position from guard on top but Trang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zala trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zala might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Trang preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zala wants to control from the top but Trang keeps moving.
Trang is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zala throws and elbow that misses. Trang uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zala's guard. Nice move by Trang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trang has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zala is proving hard to escape from.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Athrun Zala just wasn't active enough.
A jab from Trang misses.
Trang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zala.
Trang scores with a jab.
Trang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Trang fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A combination from Trang does no damage.
Zala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Trang manages to avoid it.
Zala shoots in but Trang avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Athrun Zala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Trang misses.
Trang throws a hook to the side of Zala's head but Zala sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zala misses with an uppercut. Trang saw that one coming.
Zala lands a jab to the nose.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Trang throws out a loose jab but Zala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zala keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zala dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zala walks into a left hand.
Zala shoots in but no luck this time.
Trang tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Trang lands a slapping body shot.
Zala misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Trang finds it's way round the side to connect with Zala's head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Trang cracks Zala with an open hand slap.
Zala swats away the attempt to clinch by Trang.
Trang slaps away a takedown attempt from Zala, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Trang works Zala's body with a nice hook.
Trang connects with a body shot.
Zala misses with a body shot.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Trang as he checks the leg kick.
Trang lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Trang throws a body punch but Zala moves out of range.
Trang lunges at Zala with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Zala's hand.
Trang avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Trang, right into the meat.
Trang lands a lovely overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Trang missing with a left hand there. Zala was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Trang throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Trang throws a low kick, looking for Zala's leg but Zala calmly moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Trang looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Trang misses with an uppercut
and Zala counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zala moves out of range of the strikes.
Trang throws a head kick but Zala moves out of range.
Zala throws a lazy right hand but Trang sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Trang throws a body punch but Zala moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot lands for Trang.
Zala scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herman Trang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Trang throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zala bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Trang's head backwards.
Trang moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Trang tries a head kick but it misses.
Herman Trang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Trang throws a body punch but Zala moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Zala misses the target.
Zala throws out a loose jab but Trang uses good head movement to avoid it.

Zala closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Trang did well to prevent Zala getting side control.
Zala throws a strike but Trang avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zala throwing strikes from guard but Trang blocks nicely.
Trang tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Trang is pulling down on Zala's head to control his posture.
Trang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zala wants to pass the guard but Trang is keeping the position.
Trang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zala.
Trang working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zala is looking to work some ground and pound but Trang has wrist control.
Zala slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Athrun Zala overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zala throws an elbow but Trang slips to the side and avoids it well.
An elbow from Zala crashes against the mat.
Zala wants to control but Trang is keeping him busy.
Zala taking a break here but Trang is having none of it and regains half guard.
Trang gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zala scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Trang kicks Zala off and gets to his feet.
Zala finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zala fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Trang avoids it really well and circles away.
Trang keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zala.
Trang misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zala misses with a takedown attempt
and Trang counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zala moves out of range as Trang strikes.
Trang lands with an overhand left.
Trang misses with a kick to the body.
Trang thuds a left hand into Zala's body.
Zala sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Zala thows a body shot but no joy.
Trang throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Trang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Trang stuns Zala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Trang scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zala takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Trang connects with a jab.
Trang throws a jab when Zala was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Trang. Zala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Trang bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zala's head.
Zala has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Athrun Zala. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Trang throws an overhand right that lands on Zala's shoulder, as Zala tries to avoid the shot.
Trang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Trang clobbers Zala with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Trang smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice takedown defense from Trang. No joy for Zala on that attempt.
Zala throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zala will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Trang tries to clinch up but Zala circles away and keeps his distance.
Zala misses the body punch
and Trang counters with an outside leg kick.
Trang dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Trang lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Trang scores with a jab.
Zala fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Trang throws out a loose jab but Zala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Well,Zala is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Trang catches Zala right on the button with a cross.
Zala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zala ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Trang tries to land a front kick but Zala steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big right from Trang misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zala is defended easily by Trang.
Zala takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Trang misses with a hook. Zala ducked under it nicely.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Trang throws an off balance right hand
and Zala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zala throws a poor cross that misses
and Zala takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Trang slips under a jab.
Trang throws out a loose jab but Zala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Trang wants to clinch up but Zala keeps it at a distance.
Zala fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Trang defending well as Zala loads up on a big left hand.
Trang thows a body shot but no joy.
Athrun Zala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zala throws a lazy uppercut
and Trang counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
Herman Trang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Trang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Herman Trang!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Herman Trang!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Herman Trang!

Herman Trang wins by unanimous decision!