PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Marcos Zarate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Weed Plant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Zarate
vs
Plant

186 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcos Zarate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Weed Plant!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Plant attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zarate lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Plant circles away quickly and effectively.

Plant takes the fight into the clinch.
Zarate wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Plant has him pressed against the ropes.

Plant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Plant ducks under a wild hook from Zarate.
Plant unleashes a big counter combination but Zarate bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Zarate lands a jab.

Plant closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Plant.

Plant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Plant misses with a kick to the body.
A big right from Zarate misses.

Plant clinches up against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plant is leaning against Zarate and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zarate wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Plant stalling the fight.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Plant takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Plant stalls.

Plant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zarate lands a glancing blow to the side of Plant's head.
Zarate throws the left hand but Plant avoids the punch easily.

Plant closes the distance and clinches.

Plant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Plant throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Zarate does it's job there.
Zarate throws a poor cross that misses

and Plant moves into the clinch.
Plant stalling the fight.
Zarate wants to break free but Plant has control.

Plant breaks the clinch.
Plant walks into a left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Plant drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zarate missing with a left hand there. Plant was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Marcos Zarate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zarate gets tackled into the ropes by Plant. Plant maintains the clinch.
Zarate has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Plant lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zarate backwards.
Plant looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Plant misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zarate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarate tries to circle away but Plant has him pinned against the ropes.

Plant breaks from the clinch.
Plant tries a head kick but it misses.
Zarate throws an off balance right hand
and Plant counters with a left to the body.

Plant has Zarate up against the ropes in a clinch.

Plant breaks from the clinch.
Zarate throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Plant sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zarate swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Plant counter with a right hand.
Plant slips under a jab.

Plant rushes Zarate and presses him up against the ropes.
Plant taking a breather.

Plant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarate throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Plant counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Plant.

Plant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Plant tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zarate gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Plant instigates a clinch.
Plant lands a shot to the body.

Plant breaks from the clinch.

Zarate gets tackled into the ropes by Plant. Plant maintains the clinch.

Plant breaks the clinch.
Plant has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zarate finds it's way round the side to connect with Plant's head.

Plant takes the fight into the clinch.

Plant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Weed Plant dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zarate working hard to break the clinch.

Plant manages to break the clinch.
Zarate rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Plant counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Plant.
Plant has Zarate pressed against the ropes, preventing Zarate from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Plant slows down the pace here.

Plant manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Zarate misses.
Plant wants to slow Zarate down by chopping away at his legs.
Zarate punishes Plant's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarate scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Plant doesn't seem bothered though.
Plant avoids the body shot from Zarate.
Plant throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
It looked like Zarate wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Plant uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zarate.
Zarate throws a right and a left that Plant avoids nicely.
Zarate misses with a few strikes there.

Plant has managed to clinch.
Plant keeps control of Zarate as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Plant slowing the pace effectively.
Zarate is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Zarate is looking to break free of the clinch but Plant has double underhooks.

Plant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Plant takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zarate throws a looping overhand right but Plant ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarate is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Plant.
Zarate throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Plant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A jab from Zarate misses.
Zarate throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Plant closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Plant dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.

Plant breaks the clinch.
Zarate 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.
Plant moves out of range as Zarate strikes.
Plant tries to counter by closing the distance.
Zarate connects with the punch.

Plant clinches.

Plant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Plant gets a clinch.
Zarate wants to break free but Plant has control.
A bit of stalling here from Plant.

Plant manages to break the clinch.
Marcos Zarate is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Plant takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zarate throws a body punch but Plant moves out of range.
A big left from Zarate misses.
Zarate getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Plant throws a low kick but Zarate moves out of range easily.
Zarate avoids the head kick by Plant.
Zarate went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Zarate misses with a looping right.

Plant gets a clinch.

Plant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarate misses with a jab, cross combination.
Plant uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zarate.

Plant has managed to clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Plant.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Plant takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Zarate tries to break the clinch but Plant is controlling the position.

Plant breaks from the clinch.
Zarate misses with an uppercut.
Zarate sets himself, and Plant steps forward looking for the clinch! Zarate avoids it this time.

Plant closes the distance and clinches.
Plant lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Plant slowing the pace effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Weed Plant will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Zarate's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice defenses there by Plant.
Zarate throws a big shot that misses.
Zarate fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Plant throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zarate throws a hook but Plant blocks it.
Plant on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A jab lands there for Zarate.
Plant pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Plant moves into range and clinches up with Zarate.
Zarate wants to break free but Plant has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plant lands a nice shot to the body.
Plant is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zarate is defending well for now.
Plant with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Plant manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarate loads up on a big right hand but Plant slips the punch.
Zarate misses with a hook

and Plant counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Plant manages to break the clinch.
Zarate looks to throw the jab but Plant is out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Plant.
Zarate wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Plant has him pressed against the ropes.

Plant breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Zarate.
Zarate misses with an uppercut
and Plant counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zarate throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Plant sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plant throws a sloppy head kick and Zarate moves out of range easily.

Plant clinches up with Zarate and pushes him back against the ropes.
Plant has Zarate pressed against the ropes.
Zarate letting Plant take a breather here.
Zarate is trying to push Plant away but Plant has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

Plant breaks the clinch.
Zarate throws a lazy uppercut

and Plant counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Plant.
Zarate letting Plant take a breather here.
A body shot lands from Plant.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Plant breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Plant pushes Zarate up against the ropes in a clinch.
Zarate is trying to break the clinch but Plant has him pressed against the ropes.
Zarate tries to circle away but Plant has him pinned against the ropes.
Plant with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Plant pushes Zarate back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zarate wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zarate is trying to break the clinch but Plant is controlling him.
Zarate has had enough of the clinch but Plant keeps him there for the moment.

Plant pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Plant has Zarate up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Plant breaks the clinch.
Zarate throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zarate throws out a loose jab but Plant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Plant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zarate moves away.
Nice uppercut there from Zarate.
Marcos Zarate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Zarate.
Zarate throws out a loose jab but Plant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zarate rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Plant counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Plant.

Plant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Plant instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zarate working hard to break the clinch.
Weed Plant is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Plant's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

And that's the end of the fight!
Weed Plant comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Plant 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Weed Plant!