PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steven NZonzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zak Maxwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maxwell is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 2pac-When We Ride On Our Enemies remix. Steven NZonzi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

NZonzi
vs
Maxwell

176 cm
29
160 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

175 cm
31
167 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven NZonzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zak Maxwell!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maxwell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
NZonzi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Maxwell takes a swing at NZonzi's ribcage but misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
NZonzi throws an elbow but it misses.
Maxwell is trying to drag NZonzi to the mat but NZonzi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Maxwell wants a takedown.
NZonzi blocking some punches.
NZonzi tries to score a body lock takedown but Maxwell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short right hand to the side of the head by NZonzi.
A nice glancing elbow lands by NZonzi.
NZonzi misses with a knee to the head.
NZonzi is trying to drag Maxwell to the mat but Maxwell just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
NZonzi prevents a body shot from Maxwell.

Maxwell has picked NZonzi up - he's going for a ride! Maxwell dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Maxwell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Maxwell with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
NZonzi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maxwell.
Maxwell trying to pass the guard but NZonzi defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
NZonzi trying to hold on to Maxwell's head to control him but Maxwell postures up.
NZonzi is doing well to control the position and prevent Maxwell from advancing to side control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
NZonzi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maxwell throws out the jab.
Steven NZonzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
NZonzi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Maxwell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
NZonzi clobbers Maxwell with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

NZonzi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
NZonzi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell is staying active underneath NZonzi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Maxwell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but NZonzi pulls his head out easily.
NZonzi is trying to control. Maxwell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Maxwell is looking for a sweep. NZonzi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Maxwell is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
NZonzi wants to stand but Maxwell has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Maxwell is looking to improve his position.
Maxwell is not content to let NZonzi control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Steven NZonzi just wasn't active enough.
Maxwell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maxwell wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven NZonzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maxwell ducks under a wild hook from NZonzi.
Maxwell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with NZonzi but NZonzi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
NZonzi lands with a right hand.
NZonzi tries to clinch up but Maxwell circles away and keeps his distance.
Maxwell connects with a single shot there.
NZonzi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maxwell connects with the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch lands to the side of Maxwell 's head but he takes it in his stride.
NZonzi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Maxwell's head.
Maxwell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
NZonzi is breathing heavily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice shot by NZonzi.
NZonzi misses with a takedown attempt
and Maxwell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maxwell misses with a hook.
NZonzi missing with a left hand there. Maxwell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
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 Steven NZonzi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Donk. NZonzi catches Maxwell right on the button with a cross.
NZonzi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Maxwell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
NZonzi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Maxwell lands an overhand right.
NZonzi shoots in looking for a takedown but Maxwell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing NZonzi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
NZonzi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Maxwell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
NZonzi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maxwell throws out the jab.
NZonzi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Maxwell counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maxwell throws a series of punches but NZonzi avoids them all with ease.
NZonzi misses with a hook. Maxwell ducked under it nicely.
NZonzi connects with a right hand. Maxwell shakes it off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Maxwell is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in NZonzi's half guard.

NZonzi is defending against the submission attempts here by Maxwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maxwell is pressing down on NZonzi's thigh, looking to free his foot. NZonzi is holding on for now.
NZonzi is trying to get back to full guard.
Maxwell stalling away here and it's allowed NZonzi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Maxwell wants to control from the top but NZonzi keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
NZonzi has his hands on Maxwell's head, controlling the position.
Maxwell wants to pass the guard but NZonzi is keeping the position.
NZonzi controls Maxwell momentarily but Maxwell frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Steven NZonzi.
Maxwell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell scores with a crisp jab that stopped NZonzi in his tracks.
NZonzi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven NZonzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
NZonzi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
NZonzi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maxwell as he jumps to the side.
Maxwell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Maxwell tests NZonzi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maxwell might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
NZonzi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
NZonzi throws out a loose jab but Maxwell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maxwell on the wrong end of a nice hook.
NZonzi throws a leg kick which misses Maxwell's front leg but catches the back leg as Maxwell tries to avoid it.
NZonzi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maxwell.
NZonzi cracks Maxwell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Maxwell throws an overhand right that lands on NZonzi's shoulder, as NZonzi tries to avoid the shot.
Maxwell missing with a left hand there. NZonzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A head kick misses from NZonzi.

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!
NZonzi shoots in for a takedown but Maxwell shows good takedown defense.
Maxwell throws a sloppy head kick and NZonzi moves out of range easily.
Maxwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maxwell shoots in and drives through. NZonzi sprawls well.
That kick from NZonzi tenderised Maxwell's leg. Maxwell is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
NZonzi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Maxwell swats away the attempt to clinch by NZonzi.

NZonzi drives through and clinches with Maxwell against the cage.
Maxwell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from NZonzi.
Maxwell is trying to drag NZonzi to the mat but NZonzi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
NZonzi is pressed up against the cage. Maxwell has hold of a leg and is looking to drag NZonzi down to the mat. NZonzi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
NZonzi lands a nice shot to the body.
Maxwell shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Maxwell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Maxwell misses with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for NZonzi.

NZonzi rushes Maxwell and presses him up against the cage.
NZonzi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Maxwell lands a takedown into guard.
Maxwell wants to pass the guard but NZonzi is keeping the position.
Maxwell postures up in NZonzi's guard and throws a big left but NZonzi blocks it.
Zak Maxwell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maxwell slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
NZonzi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Maxwell.
NZonzi is not content to let Maxwell control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
NZonzi is looking for a sweep.
Maxwell wants to lay and pray for a moment but NZonzi keeps working.
NZonzi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
NZonzi is refusing to be controlled, as Maxwell sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Maxwell trying to mount his opponent but NZonzi defends it.
Maxwell wants to control but NZonzi is keeping him busy.
NZonzi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Maxwell.
NZonzi keeping hold of Maxwell's head, controlling as best he can.
NZonzi tries to roll over but Maxwell keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Maxwell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Maxwell moves into full mount! NZonzi won't be happy about that!
NZonzi can't escape the position.
Maxwell wants to control the pace but NZonzi is squirming around nicely.

Maxwell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, NZonzi has managed to escape the submission attempt.
NZonzi working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maxwell throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Maxwell unloads with some shots from mount but NZonzi bucks and avoids them well.
Maxwell throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Maxwell throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
NZonzi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Maxwell.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Maxwell avoids the attempt from NZonzi to control.
Maxwell looking to ground and pound but NZonzi is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zak Maxwell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maxwell 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zak Maxwell!