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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gianfranco Zola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gina Carano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zola kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Balls to the Wall. 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.
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| 163 cm
27
142 lbs
22 - 3 - 0 |
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173 cm
24
141 lbs
15 - 3 - 0 |
Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
22 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gianfranco Zola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gina Carano!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Carano.
A telegraphed right hand from Zola misses the target.
Zola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Carano throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Carano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Both fighters circling a little - Carano finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Carano throws a head kick that Zola semi-blocks.
Zola jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch combination from Zola misses.
Carano works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Carano scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zola swings for the body but Carano moves out of range.
Carano takes a swing at Zola's ribcage but misses.
Zola throws a leg kick but Carano checks it.
Zola takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Carano throws a head kick but Zola moves out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola throws the left hand but Carano avoids the punch easily.
Gina Carano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zola looks for the body kick but Carano saw that one coming.
Zola lands a nice shot to the body.
Carano connects with a solid leg kick.
Zola walks into a stiff left hand from Carano.
Carano slips a straight right by Zola.
Carano scores with a hook to the body. Zola takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Carano throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Carano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zola is trying to break the clinch but Carano has him pressed against the cage.
Carano is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zola is defending well for now.
Carano digs a right hand underneath Zola's ribcage. Zola let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Carano lands an uppercut.
Carano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Carano is working Zola over against the cage.
Good body shot from Carano.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zola wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Carano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Zola or not.
Carano lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Carano throws a punch but it's blocked by Zola.
Carano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Carano.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zola tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zola wants to get back to striking at distance but Carano won't allow it.
Carano makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Carano avoiding damage.
Zola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Carano throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Zola.
Carano throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zola.
Carano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola throws out a loose jab but Carano uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carano scores with a hook.
Carano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Carano was well out of range. Poor timing from Zola.
Carano slips under a jab.
Carano wants to clinch up but Zola keeps it at a distance.
Good leg kick by Carano there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Carano ducks under a wild hook from Zola.
Zola lands a nice shot to the body.
Zola showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Carano.
Carano fails with an attempt to clinch.
Carano swings for the body but Zola moves out of range.
Carano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zola.
Carano misses with a low kick.
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.
Carano wants to clinch up but Zola keeps it at a distance.
Carano misses with a straight left.
Carano lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Carano attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zola punishes Carano's body with a nice straight punch.
Zola scores with a jab to the body.
Zola fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Carano lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zola's sensitive parts.
Carano stuns Zola with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Zola.
Zola blocks the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carano throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A shot to the body from Zola misses
and Carano counters with an outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gina Carano dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Carano does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Zola misses with a hook. Carano ducked under it nicely.
Carano throws a front kick that sends Zola stumbling back into the cage.
Carano throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zola ducks under a wild hook from Carano.
An inside leg kick lands from Carano.
Nice body punch from Zola.
A nice inside leg kick there by Carano. That's going to slow Zola down.
Zola takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Carano scoring well with a low kick there.
Carano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zola throws a body punch but Carano moves out of range.
Carano misses with a looping left.
Carano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Carano turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Carano misses with a low kick.
Gina Carano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Carano.
Zola takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Carano throws the kick towards the body but Zola avoids it.
Carano throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zola is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Carano's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Good work by Zola as he checks the leg kick.
Carano slips under a jab from Zola.
Zola doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Carano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Carano has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Carano throws a push kick but Zola slaps the foot to one side.
Carano misses with a head kick.
Carano avoids the body shot from Zola.
Carano lands with a kick to the temple. Zola shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A nice inside leg kick there by Carano. That's going to slow Zola down.
Carano throws a head kick but Zola moves out of range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carano scores with a leg kick.
Zola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice body kick there by Carano.
Carano throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zola.
Zola takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Carano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Carano with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Carano lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zola's sensitive parts.
Carano looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zola is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A jab lands there for Carano.
Carano pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zola is looking to land body kicks.
Zola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zola avoids the body shot from Carano.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carano scoring well with a low kick there.
Zola misses with a wild combination.
Zola moves out of range of the leg kick from Carano.
Zola checks a low kick from Carano.
Carano is looking to clinch.
Zola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good shot there by Carano.
Carano closes the distance and clinches.
Carano looking to throw knees to the head but Zola is blocking nicely.
Zola tries to break the clinch but Carano is controlling the position.
Carano lands a shot to the body.
A knee to the head by Carano.
Carano lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hand to the body from Carano.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Carano.
Zola tries to break the clinch but Carano is controlling the position.
Carano working aggressively here.
Carano connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zola's face.
Zola has had enough of the clinch but Carano keeps him there for the moment.
Carano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zola backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Carano.
Carano lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Carano.
Carano throws a head punch that misses.
Zola prevents a body shot from Carano.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zola blocks it with crossed arms.
Carano lands a body punch.
Zola tries to break free but Carano pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gina Carano 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!
Zola throws a hook to the side of Carano's head but Carano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zola throws a leg kick that is checked
and Carano counters with a slapping leg kick.
A low kick from Zola is predictable there
and Carano counters with a straight right hand.
Zola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Zola lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Carano has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Carano and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Carano tries a low kick but Zola avoids it.
Zola misses with a leg kick
and Carano counters with a nice body shot.
Zola takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Carano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Carano scoring well with a low kick there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Carano. Zola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Carano rushes Zola and presses him up against the cage.
Carano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Carano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Carano has a couple of punches blocked by Zola.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zola.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Carano presses Zola against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Carano lands a left hand.
A right hook to the body lands for Carano.
Carano lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from Carano.
Zola takes a shot to the head.
Carano pushes Zola back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Carano lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zola tries to break free but Carano pushes him back against the cage.
Carano prevents Zola from breaking the clinch.
Carano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Carano has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Zola's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Carano scores with a shoulder strike.
Carano misses with a hook from the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Carano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Carano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nice body punch from Carano.
Carano scores with a knee to the head.
Carano lands a body shot in the clinch.
Carano lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Carano misses with a punch on the inside.
Carano scores with a shoulder strike.
Carano lands a knee to the head.
Carano cracks Zola with a nice body shot.
Zola is trying to break free.
Carano throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Carano misses with some punches.
A knee to the head by Carano.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Carano.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Carano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zola is trying to force a seperation but Carano has the dominant position.
A short right from Carano.
Zola looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Carano lands a shoulder strike.
Carano digs a right hand into Zola's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zola's gas tank.
Zola's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gina Carano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zola walks forward, straight into a front kick from Carano.
Carano misses with a leg kick.
Carano throws a hook to the side of Zola's head but Zola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Carano scoring well with a low kick there.
Carano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zola swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Carano wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carano throws a lazy right hand but Zola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Carano.
Carano wants to clinch up but Zola keeps it at a distance.
Carano throws a leg kick but Zola moved away.
Carano scores with a head kick.
Carano misses with a kick to the body.
Zola takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A low kick from Zola is predictable there
and Carano makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zola misses with a body punch
enabling Carano to counter with a crisp jab.
Carano ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Carano explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zola takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A leg kick checked by Zola.
Nice shot by Carano.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gina Carano really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Carano wants to clinch up but Zola keeps it at a distance.
Carano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Carano scores with a kick to the midsection.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Carano.
Carano throws a leg kick but Zola sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Zola will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Zola throws a body kick the misses
and Carano counters with a low kick, right behind Zola 's knee.
Zola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Carano.
Carano looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Carano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zola.
Zola scores with a jab to the jaw.
Carano works Zola's body with a nice hook.
Carano plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Zola will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Carano throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Carano throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Carano throws a push kick but Zola slaps the foot to one side.
Carano throws a hook but Zola blocks it.
Jab from Zola.
Zola walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Carano thumps Zola with a low kick.
Zola checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Carano connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Zola connects with a crisp jab.
Carano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Carano gets a clinch.
Carano tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A right hand to the body from Carano.
Carano tries to land knees in the clinch but Zola avoids the damage to the body.
Carano lands with a short shot to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carano with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Carano lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zola backwards.
Carano misses with a punch on the inside.
Zola manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Carano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carano.
Zola paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Zola misses with a wild body shot.
Carano throws a jab but it's blocked by Zola.
Zola lands a two punch combo.
Carano lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zola moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Carano bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zola's head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carano connects with a good right hand that stumbles Zola. Zola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Carano throws a nice inside leg kick.
Carano misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carano misses with a body kick.
Carano has managed to clinch.
A hook to the body from Carano.
Zola has had enough of the clinch but Carano keeps him there for the moment.
Carano tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Carano tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Carano with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Carano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Zola or not.
A frustrated look appears on Zola's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Carano obliges.
Zola wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carano landing knees to the head.
Zola blocking some punches.
Zola is trying to break free.
Carano tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Carano scores with a hook to the body.
Zola is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Carano lands with a light punch inside.
Carano misses with a knee strike.
Zola wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Carano has him pressed against the cage.
Zola avoiding damage as Carano throws knees to the body.
Carano misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Carano.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carano tries a knee to the head but Zola blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gina Carano dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Carano misses with a straight right.
Carano lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zola gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Carano's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zola advances to mount.
Zola jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Carano is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Carano and Zola has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Carano is trying to control Zola's posture but Zola avoids it.
Carano manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Zola is keen to just control but Carano is a slippery customer.
Carano wants to control but Zola is keeping busy.
Carano wants to get back to full guard.
Zola is trying to control the action in half guard but Carano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Carano scoring well with a low kick there.
Gianfranco Zola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gina Carano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Carano chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zola needs to keep his hands up - Carano had a free shot at his head there.
A head kick by Zola misses
and Carano counters with a body kick that stops Zola in his tracks momentarily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Carano, right into the meat.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Carano.
Carano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Carano looks to land a right hand but Zola moved out of range.
Zola throws a leg kick
enabling Carano to counter with a crisp jab.
Carano throws a body punch but Zola moves out of range.
Zola is looking to wear down Carano with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Carano has closed the distance and engaged Zola in a clinch.
Carano works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Carano scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zola is looking to break free of the clinch but Carano has double underhooks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zola.
Carano with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Carano presses Zola against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Carano.
Carano tries to work over Zola's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carano lands a hook to the side of the head.
Carano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zola blocks it with crossed arms.
Zola tries to break the clinch but Carano is controlling the position.
Zola wants to break free but Carano has control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Zola wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Carano with a knee to the head.
Carano keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zola's efforts to push away.
Zola managing to block the knees to the body from Carano.
Gina Carano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A frustrated look appears on Zola's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zola manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Zola.
Carano moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zola chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Carano can pounce on him.
Carano throws a quick inside leg kick.
Carano cracks the inside of Zola's front leg.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gina Carano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Carano 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 43:50
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 43:50
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 43:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gina Carano!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
98% |
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