PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianmarco Zaniboni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dwayne Hicks has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hicks
vs
Zaniboni

170 cm
25
153 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
149 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FULL METAL GEAR
[WAO]MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dwayne Hicks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Gianmarco Zaniboni!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zaniboni.
Hicks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni slips under a jab from Hicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hicks.
Zaniboni showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hicks.
Hicks wants to land a leg kick but Zaniboni is out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hicks - that will leave a mark!
Hicks misses with a combination
and Zaniboni counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hicks avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hicks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zaniboni counters with a nice body shot.
Zaniboni misses with the combination.
Zaniboni lands with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Zaniboni throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hicks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Zaniboni is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni swings for the body but Hicks moves out of range.
Zaniboni lands a nice hook to Hicks's body. Hicks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zaniboni cracks Hicks with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hicks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zaniboni misses with a wild body shot.
Zaniboni is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hicks rather than just go for the knockout.
Zaniboni throws a right hand that misses
and Hicks counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaniboni.
Zaniboni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hicks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaniboni was well out of range. Poor timing from Hicks.
Zaniboni throws a poor cross that misses
and Hicks counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Zaniboni thinking.
Hicks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaniboni was well out of range. Poor timing from Hicks.
Hicks drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hicks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zaniboni loads up on a big right hand but Hicks slips the punch.
Zaniboni shoots in looking for a takedown. Hicks tries to sprawl out of it but Zaniboni keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hicks manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni slips under a jab from Hicks.
Hicks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaniboni.
Hicks avoids the body shot from Zaniboni.
Hicks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaniboni misses with a shot to the body

and Hicks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hicks.
Hicks won't allow Zaniboni to sweep him here.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Zaniboni is keeping the position.
Zaniboni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hicks throwing strikes from guard but Zaniboni blocks nicely.
Zaniboni wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Zaniboni keeps moving.
Hicks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hicks content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hicks cracks Zaniboni with a solid left hand.
Hicks works over Zaniboni with some ground and pound from guard.
Hicks won't allow Zaniboni to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks landing with the ground and pound.
Hicks forces his way into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hicks in particular looking to stall.
Hicks winds up and cracks Zaniboni with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control the action but Zaniboni is working from the bottom.
Hicks is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zaniboni has hold of Hicks's hands but Hicks slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hicks thows a huge punch but Zaniboni dodges it nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hicks thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Zaniboni to regain full guard.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaniboni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hicks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zaniboni has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hicks has managed to get both his arms back between Zaniboni's legs - danger averted.
Hicks is working Zaniboni over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dwayne Hicks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Zaniboni lands a body shot.
Hicks looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zaniboni comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A slow jab from Hicks misses its intended target.
Hicks closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Dwayne Hicks has been cut.
Hicks throws an overhand right that lands on Zaniboni's shoulder, as Zaniboni tries to avoid the shot.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses
and Zaniboni connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zaniboni misses with an uppercut
and Hicks counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaniboni stuffs the takedown.

Zaniboni closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hicks did well to prevent Zaniboni getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaniboni passes the guard and advances to mount!
Zaniboni cracks Hicks with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Zaniboni avoids the attempt from Hicks to control.
Zaniboni working Hicks over with strikes here.
Zaniboni throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Hicks avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zaniboni.
Hicks is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hicks can't escape the position.
Hicks manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Zaniboni has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Zaniboni landing strikes from the mount.
Hicks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Zaniboni working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Zaniboni prevents Hicks from getting the reversal.

Zaniboni swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hicks is now in Zaniboni's guard. A big mistake from Zaniboni there, giving up the dominant position!
Zaniboni wants to hit a switch here but Hicks passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zaniboni there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Dwayne Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hicks raining down shots from the mount!
Hicks landing punches.
Hicks is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zaniboni can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hicks controlling the position easily from mount.
Zaniboni is desperately trying to improve his position but Hicks has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks landing shots from mount.
Zaniboni is in a horrible position here. Hicks smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Zaniboni taking shots to the head.
Hicks trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hicks cracks Zaniboni with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Hicks can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zaniboni is looking to escape.
Zaniboni tries to lock up and control but Hicks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hicks landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianmarco Zaniboni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hicks throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zaniboni stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Zaniboni takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hicks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hicks pushes Zaniboni away with a front kick.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zaniboni as he avoids it easily.
Zaniboni looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zaniboni blocks a head kick by Hicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaniboni. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaniboni walks into a stiff left hand from Hicks.
Hicks avoids the body shot from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni swats away the attempt to clinch by Hicks.
Zaniboni scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hicks doesn't seem bothered though.
Zaniboni throws a poor cross that misses
and Hicks counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hicks's hands.
Hicks throws a head kick that half lands.

Hicks forces Zaniboni back against the cage and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zaniboni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hicks lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hicks misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaniboni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaniboni lands a nice shot to the body.
Hicks lands a hook that snaps the head of Zaniboni backwards.
Zaniboni misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short body shot lands from Zaniboni as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zaniboni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaniboni works on Hicks's body with a couple of short punches.
Zaniboni can't find room to land a body shot as Hicks controls the action.
Zaniboni lands a nice shot to the body.
Hicks working aggressively here.
Zaniboni lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throws a punch but it's blocked by Zaniboni.
Zaniboni misses with some punches.
Zaniboni blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zaniboni softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hicks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hicks working aggressively here.
Zaniboni tries to throw a body punch but Hicks avoids it by throwing Zaniboni back against the cage.
Zaniboni lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zaniboni misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hicks tries to throw a body punch but Zaniboni avoids it by throwing Hicks back against the cage.
Zaniboni is leaning against Hicks and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hicks lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zaniboni backwards.
Zaniboni wants to break free but Hicks has control.
Zaniboni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zaniboni tries to break free but Hicks pushes him back against the cage.
Hicks misses with a punch to the body.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni is trying to break the clinch but Hicks is controlling him.
Hicks presses Zaniboni against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Zaniboni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hicks's elbow.
Hicks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hicks throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zanibonis head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zaniboni struggles to land a body shot inside as Hicks controls his hands.
Hicks lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good body shot from Zaniboni.
Hicks lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Hicks.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zaniboni lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaniboni misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Zaniboni blocks an elbow strike from Hicks.
Zaniboni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Zaniboni manages to break the clinch.
Hicks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zaniboni counters with a left to the body.
Zaniboni lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gianmarco Zaniboni seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses
and Zaniboni counters with a right hand to the body.
Hicks misses with a body punch
and Zaniboni counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hicks tried to score with a low kick but Zaniboni checks it.
Zaniboni jabs Hicks to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zaniboni lands with a nice body punch.
Zaniboni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaniboni connects with a body shot that sends Hicks's belly button to the back.
Zaniboni lands a nice hook to Hicks's body. Hicks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Zaniboni throws a jab but it's blocked by Hicks.
Zaniboni tries to close the distance and clinch but Hicks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hicks throws a nice looking combination but Zaniboni bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Decent striking displayed by Zaniboni there.
Zaniboni misses with a wild body shot.
Zaniboni throws a sloppy body shot
and Hicks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hicks shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hicks was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zaniboni is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianmarco Zaniboni really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hicks avoids the body shot from Zaniboni.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Zaniboni.
Hicks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hicks lands a leg kick that knocks Zaniboni off balance momentarily.
Zaniboni throws a shot to the body.
Zaniboni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hicks throws a wild body kick that Zaniboni sees coming a mile off.
Dwayne Hicks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zaniboni swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hicks counters with a nice leg kick.
Hicks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hicks wants to clinch but Zaniboni slips to the side
and Zaniboni counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a wild body kick that Zaniboni sees coming a mile off.
Hicks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hicks pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaniboni looks to throw the jab but Hicks is out of range.

Hicks drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zaniboni looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaniboni, not yet.
Zaniboni trying to control the position.
Zaniboni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zaniboni is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Hicks is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zaniboni's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zaniboni's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is trying to stick to Zaniboni's back but Zaniboni is turning into Hicks. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hicks's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Zaniboni.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaniboni throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Hicks controls Zaniboni momentarily but Zaniboni frees himself.
Hicks has his hands on Zaniboni's head, controlling the position.
Zaniboni looking to pass the guard.
Hicks is trying to control the position but Zaniboni postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zaniboni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hicks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hicks has his hands on Zaniboni's head, controlling the position.

Dwayne Hicks has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zaniboni thuds a left hand into Hicks's body.
Zaniboni throws a right hand that misses

and Hicks counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hicks.

Zaniboni has hold of one of Hicks's legs. Hicks is fighting the takedown attempt but Zaniboni gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hicks has Zaniboni pulled in close to control his posture.
Zaniboni is in close to Hicks's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to keep a closed guard but Zaniboni is proving a slippery customer.
Zaniboni throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zaniboni throws and elbow that misses. Hicks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Zaniboni's guard. Nice move by Hicks!

Zaniboni looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zaniboni looking to control.
Hicks postures up in Zaniboni's guard and throws a big left but Zaniboni blocks it.
Zaniboni looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaniboni, not yet.
Hicks trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Zaniboni manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianmarco Zaniboni dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zaniboni is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hicks's half guard.
Hicks moves into full guard.
Zaniboni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zaniboni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hicks is keeping the position for now.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zaniboni is one step ahead there.
Hicks has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Zaniboni has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Zaniboni scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hicks to see if he's OK.
Hicks wants to control but Zaniboni postures up.
Hicks parries the strikes from Zaniboni easily there. Zaniboni is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hicks to escape.
Hicks is trying to improve his position.
Hicks manages to get back to half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hicks controlling the position for now.
Zaniboni trying to pass the guard but Hicks defending well.
Dwayne Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is concentrating on defense, preventing Zaniboni from advancing position.
Zaniboni thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hicks's head.
Hicks keeping control of the position.
Gianmarco Zaniboni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hicks is refusing to be controlled, as Zaniboni sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dwayne Hicks wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Hicks misses.
Hicks tries to clinch up
and Zaniboni counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hicks was well out of range. Poor timing from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni swats away the attempt to clinch by Hicks.
Hicks misses with a kick to the body.
Hicks moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jab, jab by Zaniboni - just one landing.
Hicks looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hicks lands a body shot.
Zaniboni scores with a jab to the body.
Hicks throws a hook but Zaniboni avoids it easily.
Hicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaniboni.
Dwayne Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hicks throws a head kick but Zaniboni moves out of range.
Hicks misses with a right hand
and Zaniboni counters with a left to the body.
Zaniboni lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaniboni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaniboni looks to score with a jab to the body but Hicks is just out of range.
Zaniboni walks into a straight right hand from Hicks.
Hicks misses with a lunging right hand
and Zaniboni counters with a nice body shot.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses
and Zaniboni counters with a nice body shot.
Hicks with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zaniboni counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Zaniboni throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hicks on the side of the head.
Hicks throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zaniboni ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zaniboni connects with a right hand. Hicks shakes it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianmarco Zaniboni comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zaniboni has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 46:49
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gianmarco Zaniboni!
Gianmarco Zaniboni is the new featherweight champion!