PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank Rizzo (ranked 781 p4p, 1298 weight class) and Bardia Farrokhzad (ranked 55 p4p, 92 weight class). Farrokhzad has chosen Rastak - Hele Mali (Iranian Fisherman Folk Song) as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rizzo
vs
Farrokhzad

150 cm
29
140
14 - 9 - 2

170 cm
36
148
29 - 25 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sakura Style

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Rizzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bardia Farrokhzad!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Farrokhzad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rizzo moves away.
As Farrokhzad looks to move away, Rizzo throws a big counter combo but Farrokhzad just gets out of the way.
Rizzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad punishes Rizzo's body with a nice straight punch.
Farrokhzad showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rizzo.
Farrokhzad tries to clinch up.
A shot to the body from Farrokhzad misses
and Rizzo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rizzo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rizzo ducks under a wild hook from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad misses the shot to the body.
Farrokhzad looks to land a right hand but Rizzo moved out of range.
Bardia Farrokhzad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farrokhzad just misses with a punch to the body.
Rizzo tried to counter with a leg kick but Farrokhzad avoided it.
Farrokhzad misses with a left hand
and Rizzo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Farrokhzad thinking.
Farrokhzad takes a swing at Rizzo's ribcage but misses.
Farrokhzad throws a hook but Rizzo blocks it.
Rizzo is looking to counter the offense by Farrokhzad and move into the clinch.
Rizzo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo with a hook.
Farrokhzad is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Farrokhzad connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rizzo momentarily.
Rizzo slips under a jab from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad connects with a nice looking jab.
Farrokhzad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rizzo manages to avoid it.
Rizzo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Farrokhzad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rizzo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Farrokhzad changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Farrokhzad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rizzo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Farrokhzad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rizzo was well out of range. Poor timing from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad misses with the combination.
Farrokhzad misses with a hook.
Farrokhzad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Farrokhzad moves into range and clinches up with Rizzo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Farrokhzad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rizzo's elbow.
Rizzo managing to block the knees to the body from Farrokhzad.
Rizzo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rizzo prevents a body shot from Farrokhzad.
Rizzo digs a right hand into Farrokhzad's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Farrokhzad's gas tank.
Farrokhzad takes a shot to the head.
Farrokhzad lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Rizzo tightens his grip and picks Farrokhzad up, before dumping him to the ground. Farrokhzad manages to land in guard.
Farrokhzad looking for a sweep. Not yet Farrokhzad, not yet.
Rizzo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Farrokhzad can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rizzo controls the pace.
Rizzo being controlled here momentarily.
Rizzo looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad wants to sweep here but Rizzo controlling him for the moment.
Farrokhzad is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Farrokhzad keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Rizzo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rizzo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rizzo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rizzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Farrokhzad is pulling down on Rizzo's head. It's preventing any offense from Rizzo, at least for the moment.
Rizzo throwing strikes from guard but Farrokhzad blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rizzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Farrokhzad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rizzo preventing the sweep.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rizzo throws a right hand that Farrokhzad ducks under and follows up with a left that Farrokhzad also avoids with ease.
Farrokhzad jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A left and a right from Farrokhzad both land. Nice combination.
Farrokhzad walks into a jab.
Farrokhzad checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Farrokhzad looks to land a right hand but Rizzo moved out of range.
Rizzo lands with a right hand.
Farrokhzad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rizzo slips under a jab from Farrokhzad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bardia Farrokhzad will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Farrokhzad lands a nice hook to Rizzo's body. Rizzo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Farrokhzad throws a hook to the side of Rizzo's head but Rizzo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rizzo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Farrokhzad on the side of the head.

Rizzo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rizzo controlling the action here.
Farrokhzad controlling the position well.
Rizzo is trying to control. Farrokhzad wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farrokhzad tries to get to full guard but Rizzo has control of the leg.
Farrokhzad felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Farrokhzad is refusing to be controlled, as Rizzo sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Farrokhzad's head.
Farrokhzad wants to improve his position but Rizzo is controlling well.
Rizzo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Farrokhzad keeps working.
Rizzo is controlling the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rizzo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Farrokhzad is trying to get back to full guard.
Farrokhzad trying to hold on to Rizzo's head to control him but Rizzo postures up.
Farrokhzad is refusing to be controlled, as Rizzo sits in half guard.
Rizzo not doing much here.
Farrokhzad holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Farrokhzad cracks Rizzo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rizzo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rizzo misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Farrokhzad misses its intended target.
Rizzo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Rizzo slips a jab from Farrokhzad.
It looked like Rizzo was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Farrokhzad.
Rizzo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bardia Farrokhzad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Farrokhzad checks a low kick from Rizzo.
Farrokhzad takes a swing at Rizzo's ribcage but misses.
A quick step to the side and Rizzo tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Farrokhzad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rizzo is looking to counter punch.
Farrokhzad throws a jab when Rizzo was well out of range.
Rizzo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Farrokhzad stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Farrokhzad just misses with a punch to the body.
Rizzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Farrokhzad.
Rizzo blocks a jab.
Rizzo lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo is looking to chop away at Farrokhzad's legs.

Rizzo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Farrokhzad sprawls well initially but Rizzo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Farrokhzad wants to get back to full guard.
Farrokhzad trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Farrokhzad wants to hold on but Rizzo pushes him away.
Rizzo tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Farrokhzad tries to hold on but Rizzo pushes him away.
Rizzo content just to control the position here.

Rizzo working for a submission but Farrokhzad is keeping him at bay.
Rizzo trying to control but Farrokhzad is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rizzo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Farrokhzad swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rizzo.
Farrokhzad swinging wildly here.
Rizzo throws a sloppy body shot
and Rizzo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A big right from Farrokhzad misses.
Farrokhzad misses with an uppercut
and Rizzo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Farrokhzad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rizzo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Farrokhzad is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Farrokhzad can't find room to land a body shot as Rizzo controls the action.
Farrokhzad connects with a knee to the head.
Rizzo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad struggles to land a body shot inside as Rizzo controls his hands.
Farrokhzad throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad looking to throw knees to the head but Rizzo is blocking nicely.

Rizzo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Farrokhzad can't fight it off and eventually Rizzo manages to take the fight to the floor. Farrokhzad looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Farrokhzad wants to sweep but no luck.
Rizzo postures up.
Rizzo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Farrokhzad looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Farrokhzad being controlled here, momentarily.
Farrokhzad 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.
Farrokhzad is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Rizzo lands a jab to Farrokhzad's midsection.
Farrokhzad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rizzo.
As Farrokhzad tries to get set, Rizzo tries to push him back and clinch up but Farrokhzad manages to avoid the attempt.
Rizzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Rizzo closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Farrokhzad quickly recovers to half guard.
Farrokhzad works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rizzo trying to control but Farrokhzad is working from the bottom.
Rizzo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rizzo grinds an elbow into Farrokhzad's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Farrokhzad's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Farrokhzad tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rizzo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rizzo throws an elbow but Farrokhzad slips to the side and avoids it well.
Farrokhzad is trying to get back to half guard.
Rizzo is looking to take a break and control but Farrokhzad is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rizzo taking a breather here.
Farrokhzad is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rizzo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Farrokhzad is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rizzo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Farrokhzad's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rizzo slows the pace down.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Frank Rizzo.
I think Rizzo 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Rizzo!
Frank Rizzo was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.