PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chunzhi Zheng (ranked 3877 p4p, 401 weight class) and Akhmatbek Zholdoshev (ranked 5493 p4p, 477 weight class). Akhmatbek Zholdoshev acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Zheng
vs
Zholdoshev

177 cm
25
159 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

185 cm
26
157 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chunzhi Zheng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Akhmatbek Zholdoshev!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zholdoshev throws a series of punches but Zheng moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Zheng there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zheng changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Zholdoshev throws a right hand that Zheng ducks under and follows up with a left that Zheng also avoids with ease.
Zheng throws a head kick that misses.
Zholdoshev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Zheng avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zholdoshev misses with a few strikes there.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick but Zheng moves out of range.
Zholdoshev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Zheng with that takedown attempt.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses.

Zheng fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zholdoshev to the ground. Zheng is now in Zholdoshev's guard.
Zholdoshev wants to get back to his feet but Zheng passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Zheng decides to return to a standing position.
Zholdoshev swinging wildly here.
Zholdoshev looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zheng has a takedown stuffed.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses

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

Zheng pulls Zholdoshev into guard.
Zheng is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zholdoshev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zheng. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zholdoshev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zheng.
Zheng not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zheng 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.
Zholdoshev taking some punishment here, with Zheng in his half guard.
Zheng keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Zheng is looking for a kimura but Zholdoshev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zheng to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zholdoshev wants to get back to his feet.
Zholdoshev pushes Zheng off but Zheng dives into side control.
Zholdoshev dodges the ground and pound from Zheng.
Zheng just content to control the position.
Zholdoshev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zheng is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Zholdoshev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Zholdoshev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
A lull in the action here as Zheng stalls from top position.

Zheng stands up and beckons Zholdoshev to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zheng shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zholdoshev as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chunzhi Zheng. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zholdoshev misses with a head kick.
Zheng attempts a counter takedown but Zholdoshev avoids it well and moves away.

Zheng rushes Zholdoshev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zholdoshev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zholdoshev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zheng keeps control of Zholdoshev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zheng tries for a takedown but Zholdoshev manages to get underhooks.
Zheng has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zholdoshev after a bit of a struggle.

Zheng breaks the clinch.
Zholdoshev misses with a two punch combination.
Zheng darts in looking for a takedown but Zholdoshev gets double underhooks and turns Zheng into the cage.
Zholdoshev misses with a wild combination.
Zheng throws a quick counter kick to the body but Zholdoshev avoids it.
Zheng misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zheng is defended easily by Zholdoshev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zheng avoids the head kick by Zholdoshev.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Zheng pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zholdoshev throws a sloppy head kick and Zheng moves out of range easily.

Zholdoshev gets tackled into the cage by Zheng. Zheng maintains the clinch.

Zheng breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Zholdoshev, who threw a few shots but didn't 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!

Zheng has taken the fight to the clinch.
Zheng drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zholdoshev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Zheng escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zholdoshev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Zheng counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Zholdoshev tries to circle away but Zheng has him pinned against the cage.
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 Chunzhi Zheng will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zholdoshev tries a head kick but it misses.
Zheng avoids the head kick by Zholdoshev.
Zholdoshev scores with a head kick. Zheng tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Chunzhi Zheng is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick but Zheng moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Zholdoshev.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zholdoshev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zheng.
Zheng will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zholdoshev slaps away a takedown attempt from Zheng, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chunzhi Zheng. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Zheng moves into the clinch successfully.
Zholdoshev is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zholdoshev tries to break the clinch but Zheng is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Zholdoshev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zholdoshev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zholdoshev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zheng has Zholdoshev pressed against the cage, preventing Zholdoshev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zheng has Zholdoshev pressed against the cage, preventing Zholdoshev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zheng is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zholdoshev blocks a body shot from Zheng.
Zheng drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zholdoshev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Zheng manages to break the clinch.
Zheng misses with a takedown attempt - Zholdoshev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zheng looks for a takedown but Zholdoshev sprawls well.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zholdoshev throws a sloppy head kick and Zheng moves out of range easily.

Zheng clinches up with Zholdoshev and pushes him back against the cage.
Zheng is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zholdoshev pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zholdoshev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Zheng breaks the clinch.
Zheng avoids the head kick by Zholdoshev.
A head kick misses from Zholdoshev.
Zholdoshev slaps away a takedown attempt from Zheng, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zheng throws a nice head kick!

Zheng clinches up with Zholdoshev and pushes him back against the cage.
Zholdoshev wants to get back to striking at distance but Zheng won't allow it.
Zheng content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Zholdoshev wants to break free but Zheng has control.
Zheng will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Zholdoshev up against the cage.
Zheng has Zholdoshev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zholdoshev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zholdoshev wants to break free but Zheng has control.
Zheng is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Zheng breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zholdoshev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses.
Zheng shoots in for a double leg but Zholdoshev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses.

Zheng takes the fight into the clinch.
Zheng is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zholdoshev is defending well.
Zheng tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zholdoshev's elbow.
Stalling in the clinch from Zheng.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zholdoshev is trying to push Zheng away but Zheng has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zholdoshev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zheng has him pressed against the cage.
Zholdoshev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Chunzhi Zheng has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Zheng breaks from the clinch.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick but Zheng moves out of range.

Zheng has Zholdoshev up against the cage in a clinch.

Zheng's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A combination from Zheng does no damage.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zheng.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zheng blocks a head kick by Zholdoshev.
An attempted straight right counter from Zheng misses the target.
Zholdoshev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zheng cracks Zholdoshev with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Akhmatbek Zholdoshev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Zheng throws a series of punches but Zholdoshev avoids them all with ease.
As Zheng backs off Zholdoshev throws a huge counter combo but Zheng manages to avoid it all.
Akhmatbek Zholdoshev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zheng clinches up against the cage.
Zheng prevents Zholdoshev from breaking the clinch.
Zheng has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zholdoshev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Zholdoshev is looking to break free of the clinch but Zheng has double underhooks.
Zholdoshev is looking to break free of the clinch but Zheng has double underhooks.
Zheng goes for a takedown attempt but Zholdoshev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Akhmatbek Zholdoshev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zholdoshev throws a right hand that Zheng ducks under and follows up with a left that Zheng also avoids with ease.
Zheng shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zholdoshev as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chunzhi Zheng. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zheng tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zholdoshev defends well and Zheng ends up having to push Zholdoshev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zholdoshev throws a series of punches but Zheng moves out of range.
Zheng misses with a takedown attempt - Zholdoshev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zholdoshev unleashes a big counter combination but Zheng bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Zheng blocks a head kick by Zholdoshev.
Zheng shoots in and drives through. Zholdoshev sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zholdoshev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zholdoshev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zheng feinted with a counter takedown.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zholdoshev throws a head kick but Zheng moves out of range.
It looked like Zheng was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Zheng pushes Zholdoshev up against the cage in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Zheng.

Zheng has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zholdoshev uses from the top position.
Zholdoshev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zholdoshev wanted to stand there but Zheng had control of the position.
Zholdoshev being controlled here momentarily.
Zholdoshev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zheng is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zheng has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zholdoshev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zheng bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zholdoshev's guard.

Zholdoshev wants to stand and escape but Zheng is having none of it.
Zheng seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Zheng's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Zheng passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zholdoshev is trying to stand.
Zholdoshev pushes Zheng off but Zheng dives into side control.
Zheng moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Zholdoshev is looking to get back to his feet here but Zheng is keeping cool and he's managed to take Zholdoshev's back.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Zheng controlling the positon.
Zholdoshev covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Zheng manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Zheng is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Zholdoshev avoids the strikes from Zheng.
Zheng is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chunzhi Zheng showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zheng 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chunzhi Zheng!