PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Zanico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jjang Shin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jjang Shin is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Zanico
vs
Shin

173 cm
19
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
144 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rafael Zanico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jjang Shin!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zanico dodges the punch combination from Shin.

Zanico scores a takedown into full mount!
Zanico scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Shin?
Shin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Shin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Zanico has control of Shin's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Shin regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zanico looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Zanico moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Shin has worked his arm free - good work by Shin!

Zanico is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Zanico thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanico trying to control the action but Shin is working from the bottom.
Shin prevents Zanico from improving position.

Zanico is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zanico is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Zanico is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shin is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanico tries to move to full mount but Shin actually manages to regain half guard.
Shin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Zanico is looking for a kimura but Shin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zanico to get the leverage.
Zanico wants to advance to full mount but Shin doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Shin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zanico is aware though and is defending well.
Zanico wants to pass the guard but Shin is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Shin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zanico can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Zanico avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zanico trying to control but Shin is working from the bottom.

Zanico has gone for a leg lock! Shin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zanico's guard.

Shin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Zanico dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shin tries for a takedown but Zanico circles away easily

and Zanico counters with a single leg into guard. Shin didn't expect that.
Zanico passes Shin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shin won't allow Zanico to pass to mount.

Shin looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zanico is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shin is just riding it out for now. Zanico eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zanico wants to work for an arm triangle but Shin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Zanico seems to be working for a kimura but Shin defends the submission attempt.
Shin is pressing down on Zanico's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Shin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zanico trying to control but Shin is working from the bottom.

Shin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zanico doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zanico manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zanico postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Zanico, into his guard.
Shin wants to control from the top but Zanico keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zanico throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shin wants to stand but Zanico is controlling his posture from full guard.

Shin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zanico is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shin, into his guard.
Zanico trying to control the position from guard on top but Shin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Shin has his foot on Zanico's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zanico works his way back into a safe position though.

Shin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zanico defends well.
Shin is breathing heavily.
Shin doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Zanico trying to control but Shin is working from the bottom.
Zanico is looking to work some ground and pound but Shin has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Zanico dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Shin misses with a takedown

and Zanico decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shin's guard.
Zanico trying to control but Shin is working from the bottom.
Zanico throwing strikes but missing.

Zanico drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shin!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Shin trying to control the action but Zanico is working from the bottom.

Shin is trying to get an arm triangle but Zanico is defending well.
Rafael Zanico overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Shin stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two 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.
Shin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Zanico counters with a single leg into guard. Shin didn't expect that.
Shin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Shin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zanico gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zanico trying to control but Shin is working from the bottom.

Zanico is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shin has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zanico's guard.
Zanico looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shin is one step ahead there.
Shin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.
Zanico wants to sweep but no luck.

Shin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Zanico dives on top into guard.
Shin keeping moving, preventing Zanico from controlling successfully.
Jjang Shin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zanico stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Shin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zanico gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zanico passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Zanico showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zanico has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Zanico!