PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Zodiac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thor Shimited (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Zodiac
vs
Shimited

186 cm
23
176 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steve Zodiac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thor Shimited!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Mauricio Rocha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shimited lands a lovely overhand right.

It looks like Steve Zodiac has been cut.
Zodiac tries to clinch up.
A shot to de liver by Shimited. Beautiful body shot.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Shimited.
Zodiac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shimited works Zodiac's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zodiac tries to clinch up.
Zodiac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steve Zodiac seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shimited waves his right hand out infront of him, looking to distract Zodiac. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Zodiac to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
Zodiac is breathing heavily.
Shimited tries to stand but Zodiac is controlling from the bottom.
Zodiac wants to stand but Shimited is controlling the position.
Shimited trying to control the position from guard on top but Zodiac is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zodiac has a closed guard, preventing Shimited from standing up.

Shimited gets to his feet. Zodiac looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zodiac takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zodiac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zodiac takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shimited goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Shimited drops Zodiac with a right and a left! Shimited comes rushing in but Zodiac regains his composure and manages to keep Shimited in guard.

Zodiac is rocked!

Steve Zodiac's cut is getting worse.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shimited wants to control from the top but Zodiac keeps moving.
Oh Zodiac is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shimited pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zodiac is keeping the position for now.
Zodiac seems to have got his legs back now.
Shimited has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zodiac is proving hard to escape from.
Shimited prevents Zodiac from getting back to his feet.
Shimited wants to stand but Zodiac has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimited stops Zodiac from standing up.

Zodiac has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shimited off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited is having none of it.
Shimited lands a with a good body shot.
Shimited lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Shimited fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zodiac looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shimited digs a good hook to Zodiac's body.
Shimited lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zodiac backs up against the cage.
Shimited fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zodiac looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shimited connects with the punch.
Zodiac tries to clinch up.
Zodiac is looking to clinch but Shimited is avoiding it.
Zodiac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zodiac takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Shimited listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zodiac tries to clinch there but Shimited circles away.
Zodiac is looking to clinch but Shimited is avoiding it.
Zodiac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shimited.
Shimited avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shimited ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zodiac moves away.
Zodiac throws a head kick that Shimited semi-blocks.
Zodiac tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shimited swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zodiac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shimited getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zodiac lands a head kick!
Shimited closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shimited is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Zodiac rather than just go for the knockout.
A right-left combo lands from Zodiac.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited moves out of range.
Shimited lands a really nice looking cross but Zodiac seems unphased.
Shimited scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Zodiac doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zodiac throws a sloppy head kick and Shimited moves out of range easily.
Shimited's corner calls for a 1-2. Shimited obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shimited is working the combinations to good effect here.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited is having none of it.
Zodiac takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zodiac wants to clinch.
Shimited circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shimited moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Zodiac tries to clinch up but Shimited circles away and keeps his distance.
Zodiac is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zodiac throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Shimited's head.
Zodiac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shimited.
Shimited throws a one two combo.

Zodiac moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Shimited dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Zodiac's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zodiac wants to clinch up but Shimited keeps it at a distance.
Shimited stuns Zodiac with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shimited stalks Zodiac and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zodiac's face. Zodiac staggers backwards, shaken.
Shimited connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zodiac tries to clinch there but Shimited circles away.
Zodiac drops his hands momentarily and Shimited takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zodiac tries to close the distance and clinch but Shimited swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shimited avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shimited avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shimited thuds a left hand into Zodiac's body.
Shimited misses with a two punch combination.
Zodiac takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zodiac looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Zodiac is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shimited throws a body punch but Zodiac moves out of range.
Zodiac throws a head kick that misses.
Shimited fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zodiac manages to avoid it.
Shimited stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zodiac wants to clinch.
Shimited cracks Zodiac with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zodiac is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zodiac moves out of range as Shimited strikes.
Zodiac tries to clinch up but Shimited circles away and keeps his distance.
Zodiac wants to clinch up but Shimited keeps it at a distance.
Steve Zodiac is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zodiac fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zodiac tries to clinch up.
Zodiac is looking to clinch.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited is having none of it.
Zodiac is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shimited lands a nice looking body shot.
Shimited lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Shimited misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimited connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice shot by Shimited.
Shimited takes a swing at Zodiac's ribcage but misses.
Shimited circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zodiac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zodiac is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shimited has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zodiac is looking to clinch.
Zodiac tries to close the distance and clinch but Shimited swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zodiac avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited moves out of range.
Zodiac has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shimited finds it's way round the side to connect with Zodiac's head.
Zodiac tries to clinch up but Shimited circles away and keeps his distance.
Zodiac keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shimited circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shimited avoids the head kick by Zodiac.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zodiac looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimited will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited moves out of range.
Zodiac fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zodiac lands a head kick!
A jab from Shimited misses.
Zodiac fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shimited misses with a straight right.
Zodiac doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Zodiac throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shimited.
Shimited avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zodiac connects with a high kick.
Zodiac has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Zodiac forces Shimited back against the cage and clinches.
Zodiac misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimited wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zodiac has him pressed against the cage.
Shimited stalling in the clinch but Zodiac improves position.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but Shimited blocks with his arms.
Zodiac is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shimited is defending well for now.
Shimited has Zodiac pushed against the cage.
Zodiac tries a knee to the head but Shimited blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Shimited.
Zodiac lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shimited blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zodiac tries a knee to the head but Shimited blocks it.
Shimited avoiding damage as Zodiac throws knees to the body.
Shimited tries to break the clinch but Zodiac is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Shimited's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Zodiac.
Shimited looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zodiac misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shimited.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zodiac throws an elbow but misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shimited blocks an elbow strike from Zodiac.
Zodiac tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zodiac throws an elbow but it misses.
Shimited blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shimited lands a body shot.
Shimited managing to block the knees to the body from Zodiac.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Shimited showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steve Zodiac's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shimited looks to land a combination. Zodiac sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zodiac tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shimited paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shimited swats away the attempt to clinch by Zodiac.
Zodiac slips under a jab.
Zodiac tries to clinch up.
Shimited scores with a shot to the body.
Shimited cracks a nice hook into Zodiac's ribs.
Shimited keeps the fight on the outside.
Zodiac wants to clinch.
Shimited lands with a hook. Zodiac tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Shimited blocks a head kick by Zodiac.

Zodiac moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zodiac connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shimited's face.
Zodiac throws an elbow that misses.
Shimited avoiding damage.
Shimited can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Shimited.
Shimited wants to get back to striking at distance but Zodiac won't allow it.
A short right from Shimited.
Shimited lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zodiac using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimited has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shimited is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shimited lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Shimited - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Shimited.
Shimited is trying to break the clinch but Zodiac has him pressed against the cage.
Shimited lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zodiac backwards.
Zodiac misses with an elbow over the top.
Zodiac lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shimited avoiding damage as Zodiac throws knees to the body.
Shimited is trying to break the clinch but Zodiac has him pressed against the cage.
Shimited is trying to break free.

Shimited pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shimited misses with a wild combination.
Thor Shimited seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Zodiac fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shimited, pushing him back against the cage.
Shimited lands with a light punch inside.
Zodiac landing knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimited blocks an elbow strike from Zodiac.
Zodiac misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shimited.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but Shimited blocks with his arms.
Shimited wants to stall.
Shimited is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shimited avoids it.
Shimited softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zodiac lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but Shimited blocks with his arms.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shimited.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but Shimited blocks with his arms.
A hook to the body from Shimited.
Zodiac tries a knee to the head but Shimited blocks it.
Shimited is trying to stall.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zodiac prevents Shimited from breaking the clinch.
Zodiac misses with a knee to the head.
Zodiac lands a knee to the head.
Shimited throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zodiacs head.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but Shimited blocks with his arms.
Shimited scores with a shot to the side of Zodiac's head.
Zodiac tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zodiac throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shimited cracks Zodiac with a nice body shot.
Shimited is looking to break free of the clinch but Zodiac has double underhooks.
Shimited wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zodiac misses with a knee strike.
Zodiac looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shimited takes a knee to the side of the body.
Zodiac lands an elbow that stopped Shimited in his tracks for a moment.
Zodiac with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shimited working hard to break the clinch.
Zodiac using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimited has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zodiac throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shimited wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zodiac misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shimited.
Shimited working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shimited blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shimited lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zodiac backwards.
Zodiac with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zodiac misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shimited.
Shimited lands a left hand.
Zodiac lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A frustrated look appears on Shimited's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Steve Zodiac has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shimited tries to break free but Zodiac pushes him back against the cage.
Shimited wants to get back to striking at distance but Zodiac won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shimited is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shimited tries to circle away but Zodiac has him pinned against the cage.
Zodiac misses with a knee to the head.
Zodiac throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zodiac misses with an elbow over the top.
Shimited scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zodiac using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thor Shimited is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zodiac throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zodiac using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimited has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zodiac using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimited has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shimited'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.
Zodiac throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shimited is trying to break the clinch but Zodiac has him pressed against the cage.
Shimited managing to block the knees to the body from Zodiac.
Zodiac misses with a knee to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zodiac using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shimited has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Shimited breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Shimited both land. Nice combination.
Zodiac tries to clinch but Shimited moves out of range.
Shimited throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thor Shimited comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shimited 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thor Shimited!