PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Williamson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Zanico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Anthony Williamson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Williamson
vs
Zanico

178 cm
25
134 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

173 cm
26
143 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Good kicks
Determined

Key Clothing LLC

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Anthony Williamson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rafael Zanico!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Damien Edna and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zanico closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Williamson is trying to break the clinch but Zanico has him pressed against the cage.
Williamson wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanico won't allow it.
Zanico tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zanico is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Williamson is defending well.
Williamson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Williamson gets underhooks to prevent Zanico's takedown attempt.
Anthony Williamson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Zanico.
Zanico has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Williamson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Williamson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zanico drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zanico has Williamson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Williamson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanico has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Williamson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Williamson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Zanico rushes Williamson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zanico tries to score a body lock takedown but Williamson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Williamson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Williamson wants to break free but Zanico has control.
Zanico looking for a takedown.
Zanico is looking to take this one to the mat.
Zanico looks gassed!

Williamson manages to break the clinch.

Zanico drives through and clinches with Williamson against the cage.
Zanico has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Williamson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Williamson breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Williamson.
Williamson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zanico's hands.
Good shot there by Williamson.
Zanico tries to clinch but Williamson moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zanico shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Williamson defends it nicely.
Zanico fails with a takedown attempt.
Zanico closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Zanico wants to clinch up but Williamson keeps it at a distance.
Williamson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Anthony Williamson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zanico fails with an attempt to clinch.
Good shot there by Williamson.
Williamson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Williamson cracks Zanico with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Zanico tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zanico is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice shot by Williamson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williamson lands a glancing blow to the side of Zanico's head.
Zanico is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zanico looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zanico tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Williamson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Williamson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zanico.
Zanico throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Williamson cracks Zanico with a right hand to the side of the head.
Williamson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zanico on the side of the head.
Zanico on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Williamson does it's job there.
Williamson looks to land a combination but Zanico avoids it well.

Zanico changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Williamson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Zanico tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zanico has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williamson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zanico working the ground and pound but Williamson is defending the strikes.

Zanico goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Williamson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Zanico's guard! Nice work there by Williamson!
Williamson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zanico's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Williamson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zanico walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zanico looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A head kick misses from Zanico.
Zanico has a takedown stuffed.
Zanico shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anthony Williamson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Zanico.
Zanico takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Williamson thuds his right hand into Zanico's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Williamson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Williamson misses with a double jab.
A left lands for Williamson.
Zanico blocks a jab.
Williamson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Good exchange - Williamson coming out on top.
Zanico is breathing heavily.

Williamson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zanico trying to control the position from guard on top but Williamson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanico won't allow Williamson to get back to his feet.

Williamson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Williamson keeps control of Zanico as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zanico tries to break free but Williamson pushes him back against the cage.
Williamson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Williamson gets underhooks to prevent Zanico's takedown attempt.
Zanico has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Williamson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Williamson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanico fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zanico doesn't manage to clinch there - Williamson circles away.
Good shot there by Williamson.
Williamson lands a jab-cross combination.
Williamson scores with a jab. Zanico acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Williamson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Williamson lands with a hook. Zanico tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Williamson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zanico tries to close the distance and clinch but Williamson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A jab from Williamson does it's job there.
Zanico tries to close the distance and clinch but Williamson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zanico.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Williamson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Williamson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zanico has time to react.
Williamson connects with a jab.
Zanico takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Williamson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zanico is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Anthony Williamson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Williamson misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Williamson misses.
Williamson misses with a wild combination.

Zanico closes the distance and clinches.
Williamson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Williamson is pressed up against the cage. Zanico has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Williamson down to the mat. Williamson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zanico is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Williamson clobbers Zanico with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Williamson misses with a looping right.
Williamson tests Zanico's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Williamson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Williamson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zanico.
Zanico steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Williamson.
Zanico shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanico dives in and grabs Williamson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Williamson pushes down on Zanico's head and hops out.
Williamson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zanico.
Good shot there by Williamson.
Zanico wants to clinch up but Williamson keeps it at a distance.
Williamson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Zanico ducks right into an uppercut from Williamson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zanico throws a big shot that misses.
Williamson lands a jab to the head.
Zanico tries to clinch
and Williamson counters with a left and a right that stings Zanico.
Zanico throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Williamson's waist but Williamson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zanico off to one side.
Williamson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Williamson connects with the punch.

Zanico is rocked!
Williamson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Williamson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Williamson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Williamson lands with a good body shot.
Zanico walks into a left hand.
Williamson cracks Zanico with an open hand slap.
Zanico tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Williamson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice cross by Williamson.
Zanico misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zanico tries to clinch there but Williamson circles away.
Williamson throws a leg kick which misses Zanico's front leg but catches the back leg as Zanico tries to avoid it.
Williamson throws a series of punches but Zanico avoids them all with ease.
Zanico takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Williamson scores with a body shot.
Williamson misses with a double jab.
Zanico walks into a straight right hand from Williamson.
Sloppy strikes from Williamson. Those never looked like landing.
Zanico tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Williamson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Williamson throws a one two combo.
Williamson works the jab nicely.
Zanico is looking to clinch.
Williamson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zanico sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Williamson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zanico takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zanico takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A big right from Williamson misses.
Zanico has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Williamson misses with an uppercut. Zanico saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanico showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Williamson.
Zanico tries to clinch there but Williamson circles away.
Williamson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zanico doesn't manage to clinch there - Williamson circles away.
Zanico takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Williamson lands an overhand right.
Zanico tries for a takedown but Williamson circles away easily
and Williamson counters with a two punch combo.
Williamson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zanico fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zanico avoids the body shot from Williamson.
Zanico ducks under a wild hook from Williamson.
Zanico tries to clinch there but Williamson circles away.
Zanico defending well as Williamson loads up on a big left hand.
Zanico fails with a takedown attempt.
Williamson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zanico.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williamson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Williamson misses with a straight left.
Left hook, right uppercut from Williamson.
Anthony Williamson is winning the standup battle so far.
Williamson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zanico is still on wobbly legs! Can Williamson finish him?
Zanico wants to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Zanico rushes Williamson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Zanico is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Williamson is defending well.
Zanico seems to have recovered his senses.
Anthony Williamson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Zanico.
Zanico is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Williamson working hard to break the clinch.
Zanico tries for a takedown but Williamson manages to get underhooks.

Williamson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Williamson lands.
Williamson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williamson lands with a hook. Zanico tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Some wild striking there from Williamson.
A good leg kick by Williamson.
Zanico walks into a jab.
Williamson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rafael Zanico has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Williamson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zanico moves away.
Zanico tries to score a power double leg takedown but Williamson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zanico somewhat.
Zanico shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Williamson as he avoids it easily.
Williamson throws a series of strikes that have Zanico backpedaling.
Zanico misses with a looping left.
Williamson lands a jab to the head.
Williamson swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanico takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Williamson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Williamson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Williamson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zanico.
Nice shot by Williamson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zanico closes the distance looking to clinch
and Williamson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nice uppercut there from Williamson.
Williamson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zanico on the side of the head.
Williamson scores with a nice strike.
Williamson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zanico tries to close the distance and clinch up but Williamson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Williamson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Williamson misses with a looping left.
Anthony Williamson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zanico has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zanico throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Williamson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Williamson, 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Williamson!
Anthony Williamson really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that MMA ANIMAL logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.