PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Zanotto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Mcracken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zanotto comes to the cage accompanied by Ben Zanotto -by- Rancid. Mcracken comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Phil Mcracken will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Zanotto
vs
Mcracken

183 cm
31
195 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

187 cm
32
195 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Project Mayhem

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Zanotto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Phil Mcracken!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Ron Honeybunn and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zanotto scores with a nice strike.
Zanotto takes one to the chin there.
Mcracken throws a series of punches but Zanotto avoids them all with ease.
Mcracken misses with a double jab.
Mcracken uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zanotto.
Zanotto staying out of range there.
Ben Zanotto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zanotto lands a right hook to the body.
Zanotto moves away from the strike by Mcracken.
Zanotto misses with a takedown attempt - Mcracken sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mcracken lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zanotto keeps the fight on the outside.
Mcracken has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Zanotto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mcracken takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zanotto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Zanotto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Zanotto gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zanotto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zanotto tries for a takedown but Mcracken manages to get underhooks.
Zanotto blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken working aggressively here.
Mcracken trying to control the position but instead, Zanotto has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mcracken into the cage.
Zanotto avoiding damage as Mcracken throws knees to the body.
Mcracken misses with the head strike.
Mcracken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mcracken prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Zanotto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mcracken scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Still in the clinch, Mcracken scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zanotto takes a shot to the head.
Zanotto throws a head punch that misses.
Zanotto tries for a takedown but Mcracken manages to get underhooks.
Mcracken throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zanotto misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken keeps control of Zanotto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mcracken just leaning against Zanotto, taking a breather.
Mcracken misses with a punch on the inside.
Zanotto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mcracken lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zanotto backwards.
A hook to the body from Mcracken.
Mcracken misses with a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mcracken lands a nice shot to the body.
Mcracken is pushing Zanotto up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Mcracken swings wildly with an uppercut but Zanotto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mcracken misses with a hook to the ribs.
I was talking to Zanotto's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Mcracken taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken working aggressively here.
Zanotto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mcracken is defending well.
Mcracken lands a body punch.
Zanotto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mcracken works on Zanotto's body with a couple of short punches.
Mcracken is stalling here.
Mcracken struggles to land a body shot inside as Zanotto controls his hands.
Zanotto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mcracken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mcracken misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mcracken avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zanotto goes for a takedown attempt but Mcracken pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Zanotto takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A big right from Mcracken misses.
Zanotto misses the shot to the body.
Zanotto throws a hook to the side of Mcracken's head but Mcracken sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Phil Mcracken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mcracken tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zanotto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mcracken moves in looking to clinch but Zanotto pushes him off.
Mcracken catches Zanotto with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Zanotto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mcracken throws a series of punches but Zanotto moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zanotto walks into a jab.
Zanotto slips under a jab from Mcracken.
Mcracken just misses with a punch to the body.
Mcracken scores with a nice strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken dominated that round.
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.

Mcracken lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Zanotto misses with an uppercut

and Mcracken holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Zanotto misses with some punches.
Mcracken lands a nice uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zanotto.
Zanotto lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mcracken working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mcracken working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mcracken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zanotto drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mcracken gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mcracken working aggressively here.
Zanotto lands an uppercut.
Mcracken tries to work over Zanotto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken looking to stall.
Mcracken misses with the head strike.
Phil Mcracken seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mcracken working aggressively here.
Zanotto swings wildly with an uppercut but Mcracken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mcracken lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zanotto backwards.
Mcracken gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zanotto.
Mcracken lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zanotto.
Mcracken lands with a short shot to the head.
Mcracken lands a knee to the head.
Zanotto throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mcrackens head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mcracken tries to work over Zanotto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto goes for a takedown attempt but Mcracken pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Zanotto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zanotto takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Zanotto decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zanotto is looking to advance position but Mcracken won't allow it.
Mcracken keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zanotto wants to pass to mount but Mcracken is defending the position.
Mcracken makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mcracken.
Mcracken pulls Zanotto in close to his closed guard and prevents Zanotto from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken working a defensive guard here.
Zanotto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mcracken is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zanotto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Phil Mcracken has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Zanotto moves away from the strike by Mcracken.
Zanotto lands a body shot.

Zanotto pushes Mcracken up against the cage in a clinch.
Zanotto blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mcracken lands with a short shot to the head.
Mcracken makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zanotto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zanotto struggles to land a body shot inside as Mcracken controls his hands.
A left hand lands to the body for Zanotto.
Mcracken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcracken lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zanotto backwards.
Zanotto misses with the head strike.
Mcracken gets underhooks to prevent Zanotto's takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mcracken pushes Zanotto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mcracken has Zanotto pressed against the cage.
A short right from Mcracken.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Zanotto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mcracken is struggling to control the position.
Zanotto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Zanotto gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Mcracken wants to sweep but no luck.
Mcracken working a defensive guard here.
Mcracken wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mcracken escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zanotto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zanotto throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Zanotto has passed into side control.
Zanotto trying to control the action but Mcracken is working from the bottom.
Mcracken dodges the ground and pound from Zanotto.
Mcracken manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mcracken throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zanotto is looking to improve his position.
Mcracken working Zanotto over with strikes.
Zanotto is not content to let Mcracken control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto is trying is best to control the position here.
Mcracken sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zanotto defending well though.
Zanotto holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Mcracken is trying to control the action in half guard but Zanotto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mcracken leaves Zanotto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mcracken's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Mcracken duly obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcracken scores with a jab. Zanotto acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mcracken is looking to slow Zanotto down with leg kicks.
Mcracken tries to close the distance and clinch but Zanotto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mcracken misses with a two punch combination.
Phil Mcracken seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mcracken just misses with a punch to the body.
Ben Zanotto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto scores with a jab to the head.
Zanotto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mcracken circles away.

Mcracken gets a clinch.
Zanotto is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Zanotto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zanotto.
Zanotto stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Mcracken lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mcracken tries to throw a body punch but Zanotto avoids it by throwing Mcracken back against the cage.
Mcracken has Zanotto pressed against the cage.
Zanotto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mcracken scores with a hook to the body.
Mcracken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Zanotto takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken slowing the pace effectively.
Mcracken swings wildly with an uppercut but Zanotto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mcracken pushes Zanotto back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mcracken makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Zanotto gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mcracken controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Zanotto passes to full mount!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zanotto looking to finish with strikes here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Mcracken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mcracken winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Mcracken!
An intense looking Phil Mcracken took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'You were good in there. How does your butt feel?'.