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
10 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
149 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Prestige Clothing

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 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dwayne Hicks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Gianmarco Zaniboni!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks misses with a shot to the body
and Zaniboni counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hicks throws a poor cross that misses
and Zaniboni counters with a stiff right hand.
Hicks wants to clinch up but Zaniboni keeps it at a distance.
Zaniboni throws a looping overhand right but Hicks ducks down to avoid it.
Hicks misses with a takedown attempt
and Zaniboni counters with a left to the body.
Zaniboni lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zaniboni misses with a body shot

and Hicks counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hicks trying to control the action but Zaniboni is working from the bottom.
Hicks landing strikes.
Hicks looks up at the clock and then as Zaniboni takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hicks smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Zaniboni is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni is not content to let Hicks control the position.
Zaniboni is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zaniboni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hicks wants to control but Zaniboni is keeping him busy.
Zaniboni is pressing down on Hicks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hicks throws a big right hand that misses.
Hicks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zaniboni's head.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Zaniboni keeps moving.
Hicks preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Zaniboni wants to sweep here but Hicks controlling him for the moment.

Zaniboni had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hicks defends it easily.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Zaniboni keeps moving.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hicks scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.
Hicks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hicks's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zaniboni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Zaniboni keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks landing some decent shots from guard.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaniboni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hicks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zaniboni works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zaniboni looking to control.
Hicks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zaniboni's head.
Hicks throws and elbow that misses. Zaniboni uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hicks's guard. Nice move by Zaniboni!
Zaniboni throwing strikes but missing.
Zaniboni won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.

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

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.
Hicks seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hicks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zaniboni is one step ahead there.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zaniboni throws a big right hand that misses.
Zaniboni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zaniboni postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Hicks dominated that round.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hicks misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Zaniboni to counter with a crisp jab.
Hicks throws an off balance right hand
and Zaniboni counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Zaniboni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zaniboni swings for the body but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zaniboni misses with a left hand
and Hicks counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zaniboni moves out of range of the body kick from Hicks.
Hicks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zaniboni. That did some damage!
Zaniboni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hicks looks to land a right hand but Zaniboni moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a poor cross that misses

and Zaniboni counters with a shoot takedown. Hicks fights it but they end up in guard.
Hicks is adopting a defensive guard.
Zaniboni passes into half guard.
Hicks pushes Zaniboni off looking to stand but Zaniboni dives back in and keeps control.
Hicks won't allow Zaniboni to pass to mount.
Hicks is holding on to half guard well.
Zaniboni looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni prevents Hicks from improving his position.
Hicks trying to control but Zaniboni postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zaniboni seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hicks is looking to control Zaniboni's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hicks avoid being mounted?
Hicks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hicks keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Hicks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zaniboni.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hicks trying to control here.
Hicks manages to get to full guard.
Zaniboni working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hicks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hicks wants to stand but Zaniboni is controlling the position.
Zaniboni thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hicks is on top in guard.
Hicks preventing the sweep.
Hicks wants to control from the top but Zaniboni keeps moving.
Zaniboni wants to sweep but no luck.
Dwayne Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hicks is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Zaniboni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.
Hicks keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zaniboni's head.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hicks 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.
Hicks throws a series of strikes that have Zaniboni backpedaling.
Zaniboni misses with a two punch combination.
Zaniboni thows a body shot but no joy.
Zaniboni is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hicks rather than just go for the knockout.
Hicks moves forwards but Zaniboni connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hicks lands a leg kick that knocks Zaniboni off balance momentarily.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses
and Zaniboni counters with a nice body shot.
Zaniboni chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hicks can pounce on him.
Hicks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaniboni lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zaniboni swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hicks counters with an inside leg kick.
Zaniboni scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hicks doesn't seem bothered though.
No joy there for Zaniboni, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hicks turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hicks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hicks misses with a low kick.
Hicks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zaniboni avoids it really well and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaniboni. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks misses with a double jab
and Zaniboni counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Hicks shoots in and bounces Zaniboni off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hicks scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zaniboni has momentary wrist control but Hicks slips an elbow through the middle.
Hicks trying to control but Zaniboni is working from the bottom.
Zaniboni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hicks is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaniboni being controlled here, momentarily.
Zaniboni bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hicks's guard.
Zaniboni looking to pass the guard.
Zaniboni in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hicks throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hicks lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Zaniboni!
BOOM! Hicks connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hicks with the ground and pound from mount.
Zaniboni can't escape the position.
Zaniboni is in a horrible position here. Hicks smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Zaniboni is looking to improve his position but Hicks isn't that keen on the idea.
Hicks is landing with some decent strikes but Zaniboni is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hicks working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Zaniboni is trying desperately to improve position.
Hicks scoring with strikes but Zaniboni is staying in there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hicks controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Hicks clearly takes that round.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zaniboni fails to land with a series of punches.
Zaniboni throws a series of punches but Hicks moves out of range.
Zaniboni tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hicks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hicks tries to clinch but Zaniboni moves out of range.
Zaniboni misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaniboni checks a low kick from Hicks.
Hicks misses with a looping right.
Hicks misses with a leg kick
and Zaniboni counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni misses the shot to the body.
Hicks wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Some bone on bone action there as Zaniboni checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Zaniboni swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hicks makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zaniboni missing with a left hand there. Hicks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hicks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaniboni thows a body shot but no joy.
Zaniboni fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hicks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zaniboni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zaniboni throws a sloppy body shot

and Hicks counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Zaniboni looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hicks puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Zaniboni manages to get to full guard.
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.
Zaniboni wants to stand up but Hicks is controlling the position.
Hicks trying to control from the bottom.
Hicks tries to get to full guard but Zaniboni has control of the leg.
Zaniboni sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hicks defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaniboni is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hicks has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hicks tries to roll over but Zaniboni keeps him under control.
Hicks keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Zaniboni trying to mount his opponent but Hicks defends it.
Hicks wants to control but Zaniboni is keeping busy.

That's four 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.
Zaniboni not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hicks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hicks.
Hicks controlling Zaniboni's posture.
Hicks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zaniboni passes Hicks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hicks gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Hicks had his way with Gianmarco Zaniboni in that 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. And we move into the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Hicks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Zaniboni lands a nice shot to the body.
Zaniboni throws a sloppy body shot
and Hicks counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaniboni checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hicks throws a chopping leg kick but Zaniboni manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hicks throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Zaniboni lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hicks.
Hicks dives in and grabs Zaniboni's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zaniboni pushes down on Hicks's head and hops out.
Hicks misses with a low kick.
Hicks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaniboni thows a body shot but no joy.
Hicks moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Hicks there.
Zaniboni misses with a takedown attempt
and Hicks counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hicks misses with a wild body shot.
Dwayne Hicks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zaniboni misses with an uppercut
and Hicks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zaniboni swings widly with a right hand

and Hicks counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hicks.
Hicks blocks a body shot from Zaniboni.
Hicks scores with a hook to the body.
Zaniboni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hicks has a couple of punches blocked by Zaniboni.
Zaniboni lands with a light punch inside.
Hicks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hicks works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zaniboni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zaniboni is trying to push Hicks away but Hicks has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zaniboni misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hicks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hicks.
Gianmarco Zaniboni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks digs a right hand into Zaniboni's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Zaniboni's gas tank.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zaniboni can't find room to land a body shot as Hicks controls the action.
Zaniboni lands a hook that snaps the head of Hicks backwards.
Zaniboni is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hicks is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hicks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hicks prevents a body shot from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hicks blocks an uppercut.
Zaniboni letting Hicks take a breather here.
Zaniboni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hicks.
Zaniboni tries to throw a body punch but Hicks avoids it by throwing Zaniboni back against the cage.
Hicks working aggressively here.
Zaniboni has a couple of punches blocked by Hicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zaniboni lands a left hand.

Hicks has picked Zaniboni up - he's going for a ride! Hicks dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hicks in particular looking to stall.
Zaniboni striking from half guard on the bottom.
Hicks blocks the strikes from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni tries to get to full guard but Hicks has control of the leg.
Hicks looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hicks lands with a punch from half guard.
Zaniboni wants to improve his position but Hicks is controlling well.
Hicks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Zaniboni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dwayne Hicks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hicks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dwayne Hicks!
Dwayne Hicks retains his featherweight title!