PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Peter Zonta (ranked 531 p4p, 458 weight class) and Rudy Rhod (ranked 71 p4p, 59 weight class). Rhod has chosen Prince - Kiss as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Zonta
vs
Rhod

175 cm
30
165
16 - 11 - 2

180 cm
39
155
34 - 21 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Core Combat
Voodoo Nutrition

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 16 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Peter Zonta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rudy Rhod!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rhod looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Some wild striking there from Rhod.
Rhod scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Zonta.
Zonta is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zonta scores with a jab. Rhod acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zonta is looking to chop away at Rhod's legs.
Rhod misses with a body shot.
Donk. Rhod catches Zonta right on the button with a cross.
Rhod misses with a body shot.

Zonta closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rhod manages to break the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Zonta.
Zonta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rhod.
Zonta is looking to clinch but Rhod is avoiding it.
Rhod pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rhod closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonta avoids the head kick by Rhod.
Rhod tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zonta was well out of range. Poor timing from Rhod.
Zonta slips a jab and a cross from Rhod.

Zonta has Rhod up against the cage in a clinch.
Rhod blocks a body shot from Zonta.
Zonta misses with a body punch.

Rhod breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zonta looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rhod keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Zonta backs off Rhod throws a huge counter combo but Zonta manages to avoid it all.
Rhod misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zonta.

Zonta gets the takedown into side control.
Zonta in side control, throwing shots but Rhod defends.
Zonta wants to control for a moment but Rhod uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rhod wants to control but Zonta is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zonta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rhod trying to control but Zonta postures up.
Zonta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zonta is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zonta is keen to just control but Rhod is a slippery customer.
Zonta controlling the pace.
Rhod is staying active underneath Zonta, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rhod taking some punishment here, with Zonta in his half guard.
Zonta thows a huge punch but Rhod dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zonta controlling the action here.
Rhod controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zonta.
Zonta wants to take a breather but Rhod is having none of it.
Zonta sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rhod defending well though.
Rhod regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Zonta.
Zonta looking to pass the guard.
Rhod being controlled here, momentarily.
Rhod is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zonta throws an elbow that misses. Rhod uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zonta's guard. Nice move by Rhod!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zonta wriggles free and stands up.
Rhod pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhod swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rhod lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rhod leaves Zonta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rhod missing with a left hand there. Zonta was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rhod scores with a shot to the body.
A combination from Zonta does no damage.
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!
Rhod circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zonta avoids the body shot from Rhod.
Zonta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rhod manages to avoid it.
Zonta takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Peter Zonta will probably get the nod.
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.

Rhod pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Zonta back to the cage. Rhod follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Zonta misses with an uppercut.
Zonta backing away here, and Rhod unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rudy Rhod seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zonta throws a jab but it's blocked by Rhod.
No joy there for Rhod, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Peter Zonta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zonta fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A nice side step and Rhod releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Rhod throws a sloppy head kick
letting Zonta counter with a right hand.
Zonta blocks a head kick by Rhod.
Rhod digs a good hook to Zonta's body.
Rhod swings for the body but Zonta moves out of range.
Rhod is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Zonta rather than just go for the knockout.
Zonta throws a right hand that misses
and Rhod counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rhod misses with a hook. Zonta ducked under it nicely.
Zonta drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zonta slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rhod displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zonta throws out the jab.
Rhod wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonta misses with a jab to the body
and Rhod counters with a nice uppercut.
Rhod uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zonta.
Zonta misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rudy Rhod is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rhod misses with the combination.
Zonta wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Zonta wants to clinch
and Rhod counters with a left and a right that stings Zonta.
Nice defenses there by Rhod.
A countering left hand to the body from Rhod misses.
Rhod keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zonta.
The crowd cheers as Rhod lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zonta doesn't seem phased though.
Rhod pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rhod misses with a hook. Zonta ducked under it nicely.
Zonta tries to bum rush Rhod with a series of wild strikes but Rhod uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rhod throws a head kick but Zonta moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head kick misses from Rhod.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zonta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rhod.
Zonta lands with an overhand left.
Zonta ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rhod moves away.
Rhod throws a jab when Zonta was well out of range.
Zonta uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rhod.
Rhod uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zonta.
Rhod lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zonta shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rhod cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rhod lands a high kick!
Rhod goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nice shot by Rhod.
Zonta scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rhod misses with an uppercut
and Zonta connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zonta comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zonta closes the distance and clinches.
Zonta tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zonta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zonta working aggressively here.
Rhod is trying to force a seperation but Zonta has the dominant position.
Rhod tries to break the clinch but Zonta is controlling the position.

Rhod breaks from the clinch.

Zonta has Rhod up against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zonta.
Rhod tries to break free but Zonta pushes him back against the cage.

Rhod pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rhod throws a hook but Zonta avoids it easily.
Zonta is looking to counter the offense by Rhod and move into the clinch.
Rhod swings widly with a right hand
and Zonta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rhod bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zonta's head backwards.
Zonta throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rhod defending well as Zonta loads up on a big left hand.
Zonta throws a combination that misses
and Rhod counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zonta shoots in and gets a takedown into Rhod's guard.
Rhod working a defensive guard here.
Zonta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zonta keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rhod's head.
Zonta postures up in Rhod's guard and throws a big left but Rhod blocks it.
Rhod trying to control the position here.
Zonta landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zonta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zonta 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.
Zonta wants to control from the top but Rhod keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rudy Rhod showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zonta connects with a single shot there.
Rhod throws a head kick that half lands.
Rhod uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zonta.
Rhod misses with a double jab

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

Rhod breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rhod works Zonta's body with a nice hook.
Rhod falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Zonta counter with a right hand.
Rhod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zonta moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zonta manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rhod on his heels. He'll look to pass Rhod's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Rhod keeping moving, preventing Zonta from controlling successfully.
Rhod preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zonta trying to control but Rhod is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonta pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rhod is keeping the position for now.
Zonta throws a strike but Rhod rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zonta wriggles free and stands up.
Rhod throws a head kick that misses
and Zonta counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rhod ducks under a wild hook from Zonta.
A countering left hand to the body from Rhod misses.
Rhod misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zonta seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Zonta looks to throw the jab but Rhod is out of range.
Zonta scores with a nice strike.
Zonta moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rhod throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rhod throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rhod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zonta moves in looking to clinch but Rhod pushes him off.
Zonta drops his hands momentarily and Rhod takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Zonta closes the distance and pushes Rhod back into the cage.
Zonta lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rhod fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Rhod breaks from the clinch.
Zonta lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rhod leaves Zonta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zonta throws a series of punches but Rhod avoids them all with ease.
Rhod steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zonta.
Zonta falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rhod counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rhod leaves Zonta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zonta works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod scores with a head kick. Zonta tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nice jab there from Zonta.
Zonta scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Some wild striking there from Zonta.
A head kick misses from Rhod.
Zonta fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Zonta misses.
Zonta moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRhod.
A head kick from Rhod lands but Zonta takes it in his stride.
Zonta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rhod sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rhod throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zonta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zonta rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rhod moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zonta.
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!
Rhod lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zonta circles away quickly and effectively.
Zonta is looking to clinch.
Zonta gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rhod.
Rhod misses with a double jab
and Zonta counters with a right hand to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Rhod. Those never looked like landing.
Zonta scores with a nice right hand.
Zonta swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rhod.
Rhod throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Zonta looking to score a takedown here. Rhod is defending well but Zonta drives through and ends up in Rhod's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zonta wants to stand but Rhod has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Rhod manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zonta manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peter Zonta showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zonta 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Peter Zonta!
Peter Zonta decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.