PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gian Matteo Ranzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Petruzalek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Matteo Ranzi
vs
Petruzalek

185 cm
25
205 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

194 cm
21
220 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

WIN Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gian Matteo Ranzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Petruzalek!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ranzi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ranzi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Justin Petruzalek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Petruzalek shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Petruzalek not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Petruzalek connects with a nice short shot to Ranzi's temple.

Ranzi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Petruzalek lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ranzi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Petruzalek.

Petruzalek looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ranzi actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ranzi looking for submissions off his back.
Petruzalek wants to pass to mount but Ranzi is defending the position.
Ranzi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Petruzalek's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Petruzalek's back!
I really don't envy Petruzalek right now.
Petruzalek turns into Ranzi and is now in his guard.
Petruzalek content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Petruzalek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Petruzalek landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Petruzalek is looking to work some ground and pound but Ranzi has wrist control.
Petruzalek works over Ranzi with some ground and pound from guard.
Ranzi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Ranzi looking for a guillotine here but Petruzalek defends easily.
Petruzalek throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petruzalek pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ranzi is keeping the position for now.

Ranzi working for a triangle but Petruzalek defends it easily.

Petruzalek got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ranzi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Petruzalek has managed to get both his arms back between Ranzi's legs - danger averted.

Ranzi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ranzi is breathing heavily.
Petruzalek passes Ranzi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Petruzalek is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Ranzi actively working from the bottom here.
Petruzalek missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ranzi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Petruzalek.
Petruzalek throwing shots but Ranzi is blocking nicely.

Petruzalek is working for a submission of some sort.

Ranzi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nice strikes from Petruzalek there.

Ranzi actively working from the bottom here.

Ranzi looking for submissions off his back.

Petruzalek is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ranzi is just riding it out for now. Petruzalek eventually gives up the hold.
Ranzi wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Petruzalek in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Ranzi tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Petruzalek!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Justin Petruzalek!