PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zack Hitana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murilo Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ribeiro has chosen Dream Theater - Forsaken as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hitana
vs
Ribeiro

170 cm
25
156 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

177 cm
27
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

[JMFC] 160!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zack Hitana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Murilo Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ribeiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hitana sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Hitana closes the distance and pushes Ribeiro back into the cage.
Hitana lands a right hand.
Hitana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ribeiro's defenses.

It looks like Murilo Ribeiro has been cut.
Ribeiro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hitana with a knee to the head.

Ribeiro is rocked!
Hitana unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Hitana drops Ribeiro with a big knee straight up the middle! Ribeiro is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Ribeiro is still on wobbly legs! Can Hitana finish him?

Hitana closes the distance and clinches.
Ribeiro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hitana smiles and moves away.

Hitana has Ribeiro up against the cage in a clinch.
Ribeiro seems to have recovered his senses.
Nice elbow from Hitana.
Hitana scores a nice knee to the body.
Hitana landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hitana lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Hitana.
Hitana crunches a lovely knee into Ribeiro's ribcage.
Hitana landing knees to the head.
Hitana working Ribeiro over with knees to the body.
Ribeiro looks gassed!
Hitana scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zack Hitana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Murilo Ribeiro.
Hitana lands a knee to the head.
Hitana connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ribeiro's face.
Hitana throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hitana connects with a knee to the head.
Hitana connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ribeiro's face.

Hitana drops Ribeiro with a big knee straight up the middle! Ribeiro is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Hitana has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ribeiro jumps guard but Hitana stands there with Ribeiro around his waist. Ribeiro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hitana crunches a lovely knee into Ribeiro's ribcage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitana lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hitana lands an elbow just above Ribeiro 's eye.
Hitana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ribeiro takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hitana lands an elbow just above Ribeiro 's eye.
Hitana lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hitana lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hitana lands a nice knee to the body.
Hitana with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Murilo Ribeiro's cut even more.
Hitana comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitana connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ribeiro's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitana lands a knee to the body.
Hitana with a knee to the head.
Hitana using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hitana scores with a knee to the head.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Hitana.
A nice left hand lands by Hitana.
Hitana connects with a knee to the head.
A short left from Hitana.
Ribeiro fails to pull guard.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hitana obliges.
Hitana lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hitana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ribeiro blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hitana lands a knee to the head.
Hitana misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ribeiro.
Hitana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ribeiro is defending well for now.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
Hitana tries to land a knee to the head but Ribeiro blocks with his arms.
Hitana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hitana misses with a knee to the head.
Hitana swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitana missing with knees to the body.

Ribeiro jumps guard and drags Hitana to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Ribeiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Hitana dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Murilo Ribeiro's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hitana rushes Ribeiro and presses him up against the cage.
Hitana looking to throw knees to the head but Ribeiro is blocking nicely.
Hitana misses with a knee to the head.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hitana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ribeiro is defending well for now.
Ribeiro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hitana smiles and moves away.

Hitana closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitana tries to land knees in the clinch but Ribeiro avoids the damage to the body.
Hitana with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hitana scores with a shot to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Hitana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zack Hitana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Murilo Ribeiro.
Hitana lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hitana using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.
Hitana scores with a shot to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Hitana lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ribeiro jumps guard but Hitana stands there with Ribeiro around his waist. Ribeiro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hitana scores a nice knee to the body.
Ribeiro jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hitana walks away with a smile on his face. Ribeiro gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ribeiro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hitana counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
Hitana landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Zack Hitana has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hitana lands an elbow that stopped Ribeiro in his tracks for a moment.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hitana lands a knee to the body.
Hitana landing knees to the body.
A short right from Hitana on the inside.
Hitana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitana is working Ribeiro over against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hitana.
Hitana utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hitana connects with a knee to the head.
Hitana connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitana with a knee to the head.
Hitana tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Hitana.
Hitana lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ribeiro on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hitana gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hitana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.
Hitana looking to throw knees to the head but Ribeiro is blocking nicely.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana won't allow it.
Hitana putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ribeiro in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hitana utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hitana lands an elbow just above Ribeiro 's eye.
Hitana creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ribeiro's defenses.
Hitana tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ribeiro blocks it with crossed arms.
Hitana misses with a knee to the head.
Hitana presses Ribeiro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.
Hitana tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hitana lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ribeiro or not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Hitana dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Murilo Ribeiro's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ribeiro shoots in but Hitana avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ribeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Ribeiro forces Hitana back against the cage and clinches.
Hitana tries to land a knee to the head but Ribeiro blocks with his arms.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zack Hitana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Murilo Ribeiro.
Hitana works on Ribeiro's body with a couple of short punches.
Hitana scores with a knee to the head.
Hitana connects with a knee to the head.
Hitana landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hitana landing knees to the body.
Hitana cracks Ribeiro with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hitana lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitana lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
Hitana stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hitana works on Ribeiro's body with a couple of short punches.
Hitana working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hitana misses with a knee strike.
Nice body punch from Hitana - that landed with a thud.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
A knee to the head by Hitana.
Hitana lands a knee to the body.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hitana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hitana digs a right hand into Ribeiro's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ribeiro's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Hitana.
Hitana lands a knee to the body.
Hitana works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hitana.
Hitana working Ribeiro over with knees to the body.
Hitana landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ribeiro takes an elbow to the temple.
Hitana lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hitana working Ribeiro over with knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Hitana.
Hitana throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hitana with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hitana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ribeiro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana won't allow it.
Ribeiro blocks an elbow strike.
Ribeiro blocks an elbow strike.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitana lands a knee to the head.
Hitana is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ribeiro can do to turn this around?
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.
Ribeiro tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hitana smiles and moves away.
Zack Hitana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ribeiro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hitana counters by moving into the clinch.
Hitana unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ribeiro lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hitana lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hitana with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hitana landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hitana throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zack Hitana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ribeiro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitana cracks Ribeiro with a nice body shot.
Ribeiro fails to pull guard.
Hitana scores a nice knee to the body.
Ribeiro tries to pull guard but Hitana holds him up against the cage and eventually Ribeiro drops back down to his feet.
Ribeiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Hitana showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hitana, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Hitana!