PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bod Zio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Grossman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zio might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Old Mcdonald had a farm. Grossman comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Devil's Rejects kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zio
vs
Grossman

178 cm
32
137 lbs
24 - 14 - 2

173 cm
31
143 lbs
30 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Heisenberg
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 2, fighting out of London, Bod Zio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Karl Grossman!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grossman circles away.
Zio pushes Grossman away with a front kick.
Zio really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Good standup being displayed there by Zio as he connects with a hook.
Grossman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Zio throws a head kick that misses.
Grossman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Grossman stuns Zio with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Grossman dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zio. That did some damage!
Grossman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Zio on the side of the head.
Grossman scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zio in his tracks.
Grossman connects with a leg kick. Zio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Zio walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Grossman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Grossman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zio.

Grossman gets caught napping as Zio dives in and scores a takedown. Grossman manages to retain guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zio lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Grossman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zio.
Zio has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Zio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Grossman keeping moving, preventing Zio from controlling successfully.
Grossman being controlled here, momentarily.
Grossman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bod Zio.
Grossman scores with a jab to the body.
Zio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grossman was well out of range. Poor timing from Zio.
A big left from Zio misses.
Zio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Grossman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman fails to land with a series of punches.
Grossman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Grossman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zio. Zio obviously looking to wear him down.
Zio misses with a wild body shot.
Grossman throws a series of strikes that have Zio backpedaling.
Grossman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grossman blocks a head kick by Zio.

Zio drives through with a takedown into guard.

Grossman manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Zio working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Grossman blocks an uppercut.
Grossman blocking some punches.
Zio misses with a knee to the head.
Grossman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zio backwards.
Zio lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grossman.
Zio looking to throw knees to the head but Grossman is blocking nicely.
Grossman misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zio managing to block the knees to the body from Grossman.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grossman.
Grossman throws a head punch that misses.
Grossman leaning against his opponent.
Zio jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Grossman walks away with a smile on his face. Zio gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bod Zio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zio misses with a low kick.

Zio drives through with a takedown into guard.
Grossman is pulling down on Zio's head. It's preventing any offense from Zio, at least for the moment.
Grossman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zio's guard.
Zio looking for a sweep. Not yet Zio, not yet.
Zio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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!

Karl Grossman has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
That kick from Grossman tenderised Zio's leg. Zio is trying to keep his angry face on.
Grossman moves out of range of the body kick from Zio.
Zio tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grossman defends well and Zio ends up having to push Grossman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Zio pulls guard.
Grossman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Grossman has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zio looking for a sweep. Not yet Zio, not yet.
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 Bod Zio 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.

Zio drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zio lands a few punches from side control.
Bod Zio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grossman keeps working.
Zio lands a decent elbow from side control.
Grossman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zio's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grossman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Grossman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zio.
Grossman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Grossman keeping moving, preventing Zio from controlling successfully.
Grossman manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zio is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman avoids the attempt from Zio to control.
Zio is looking to improve his position but Grossman isn't that keen on the idea.
Zio is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grossman controlling the position easily from mount.
Zio is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zio wants to control but Grossman is having none of it.
Zio can't escape the position.
Grossman sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Grossman prevents Zio from getting the reversal.
Grossman controlling his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Grossman trying to control but Zio is having none of it.
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!
Zio tries to hold on but Grossman postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zio is wriggling around trying to escape.
Grossman tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Zio is squirming around, avoiding Grossman's attempts to control the action.
Zio keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Zio bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Zio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grossman swivels though and keeps the full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Karl Grossman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Grossman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Karl Grossman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grossman misses the shot to the body.
Zio lands with a shot to the body.
Karl Grossman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman lands a right hook to the body.
Grossman uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zio.
Grossman misses with an uppercut. Zio saw that one coming.
A jab from Zio misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Zio. Grossman shrugs it off though.
Grossman punishes Zio's body with a nice straight punch.
Zio misses with a wild body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zio has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zio moves into range and connects with a jab.
Grossman attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grossman defending well as Zio loads up on a big left hand.
Zio lands a jab to Grossman's midsection.
Grossman fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zio.
Grossman walks into a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bod Zio dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zio shoots in looking for a takedown. Grossman tries to sprawl out of it but Zio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grossman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zio moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zio with a nice cross.
Zio blocks a jab.
Zio checks a leg kick.
Zio walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Grossman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Grossman misses with a wild body shot.
Zio throws a looping overhand right but Grossman ducks down to avoid it.
Zio slips a jab from Grossman.
Grossman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zio tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grossman defends well and Zio ends up having to push Grossman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Zio manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman tries to bum rush Zio with a series of wild strikes but Zio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Grossman takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Grossman doesn't manage to clinch there - Zio circles away.

Zio feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Zio wants to control from the top but Grossman keeps moving.
Zio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Grossman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zio is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zio controls from within his opponent's guard.
Grossman wants to sweep but no luck.
Zio lands a couple of digs.
Grossman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Karl Grossman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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!
Zio throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Grossman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zio postures up and lands a big shot to Grossman's brow.
Grossman looking for a sweep. Not yet Grossman, not yet.
Zio prevents Grossman from getting back to his feet.
Grossman keeping moving, preventing Zio from controlling successfully.
Grossman wants to sweep but no luck.
Grossman has control of Zio's left arm, preventing Zio from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Grossman misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Grossman lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zio has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zio and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Grossman tries to work over Zio's front leg with a kick but Zio checks it.
Zio connects with a crisp jab.

Zio feints and as Grossman raises his hands in defense, Zio changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Grossman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zio doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zio manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Grossman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Grossman keeping moving, preventing Zio from controlling successfully.
Grossman is adopting a defensive guard.
Zio with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zio wants to control from the top but Grossman keeps moving.
Zio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grossman keeping moving, preventing Zio from controlling successfully.
Zio controlling from the top position.

Bod Zio has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Grossman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice shot by Grossman.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grossman blocks a leg kick.
Zio slips a jab and a cross from Grossman.
Grossman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Zio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bod Zio showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zio, 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bod Zio!
A very excited looking Bod Zio made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.