PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sacco Vanzetti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aznar Thrul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanzetti kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Against All Authority - Sacco & Vanzetti. Aznar Thrul has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vanzetti
vs
Thrul

190 cm
23
204 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

189 cm
19
191 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

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 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Sacco Vanzetti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aznar Thrul!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thrul lands with a hook. Vanzetti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Thrul lands a leg kick that knocks Vanzetti off balance momentarily.
Vanzetti has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Thrul avoids the head kick by Vanzetti.
Sloppy strikes from Vanzetti. Those never looked like landing.

Thrul looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vanzetti won't allow Thrul to pass to mount.
Thrul prevents Vanzetti from standing back up.
Thrul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vanzetti pushes Thrul off looking to stand but Thrul dives back in and keeps control.
Thrul working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Vanzetti's thigh. Vanzetti counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Thrul is looking to work some ground and pound but Vanzetti has wrist control.
Vanzetti is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thrul is controlling him.
Vanzetti trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thrul controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Thrul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vanzetti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thrul won't allow Vanzetti to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Thrul misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vanzetti takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A left and a right from Vanzetti both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Aznar Thrul has been cut.
Vanzetti throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vanzetti tries to clinch up

and Thrul counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Vanzetti wants to get back to his feet but Thrul is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thrul won't allow Vanzetti to get back to his feet.
Thrul pushes down on Vanzetti's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Thrul lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thrul connects with a nice short shot to Vanzetti's temple.

Vanzetti is defending against the submission attempts here by Thrul.
Thrul is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Vanzetti reverses the position - he's now on top in Thrul's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thrul had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vanzetti defends it easily.
Thrul wants to improve his position but instead Vanzetti has moved into half guard.
Thrul has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vanzetti wants to stand up but Thrul has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Thrul tries to roll over but Vanzetti keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vanzetti is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Thrul throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thrul trying to control but Vanzetti postures up.

Thrul looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aznar Thrul dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aznar Thrul's cut.
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.

Thrul showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vanzetti.
Vanzetti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thrul has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Vanzetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thrul throws out the jab.
Vanzetti throwing a counter right hand but Thrul manages to avoid it.
Vanzetti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thrul misses with a straight right.
Thrul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vanzetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Thrul.
Vanzetti is looking to clinch but Thrul is avoiding it.
Vanzetti looks to land a left hand but Thrul moved out of range nicely.
Sacco Vanzetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vanzetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thrul scores with a jab.
Vanzetti throws a sloppy head kick and Thrul moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thrul gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sacco Vanzetti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thrul throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thrul throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thrul cracks the inside of Vanzetti's front leg.
Thrul throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Thrul. That snapped Vanzetti's head back.
Thrul throws a leg kick
and Vanzetti counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Vanzetti moves into range and clinches up with Thrul.
Thrul misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thrul blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thrul throws a punch but it's blocked by Vanzetti.
Vanzetti landing knees to the head.
Vanzetti lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thrul.

Thrul breaks from the clinch.
A nice combination there by Vanzetti.

Thrul is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vanzetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sacco Vanzetti is winning the standup battle so far.
Thrul lands with a hook. Vanzetti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vanzetti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thrul goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Thrul fakes the leg kick and cracks Vanzetti in the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vanzetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Thrul.
Vanzetti tries to land a front kick but Thrul steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed right hand from Thrul misses the target.
Vanzetti fails to land with a series of punches.
Vanzetti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thrul manages to avoid it.
Vanzetti keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Vanzetti doesn't manage to clinch there - Thrul circles away.
Vanzetti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vanzetti avoids the head kick by Thrul.
A jab lands there for Thrul.
Vanzetti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thrul.
Sloppy strikes from Vanzetti. Those never looked like landing.
Thrul throws a body kick that misses.
Thrul works the jab nicely.

Thrul fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Vanzetti to the ground. Thrul is now in Vanzetti's guard.
Vanzetti keeping moving, preventing Thrul from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanzetti wants to stand up but Thrul is controlling him.
Thrul missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thrul throwing strikes but missing.
Vanzetti being controlled here, momentarily.
Thrul scoring with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thrul prevents Vanzetti from getting back to his feet.
Thrul with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thrul trying to control the position from guard on top but Vanzetti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Vanzetti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vanzetti wants to get back to his feet but Thrul is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Vanzetti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thrul changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Thrul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vanzetti pinned against the cage. Vanzetti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sloppy strikes from Vanzetti. Those never looked like landing.
Vanzetti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thrul manages to avoid it.

Vanzetti takes the fight into the clinch.
Vanzetti scores with a hook to the body.
Vanzetti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vanzetti tries a body shot but Thrul blocks it.
Vanzetti is pressed up against the cage. Thrul has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vanzetti down to the mat. Vanzetti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sacco Vanzetti dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aznar Thrul's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vanzetti fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vanzetti slips a jab and a cross from Thrul.
Vanzetti throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thrul swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vanzetti moves out of range of the body kick.
Vanzetti throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Vanzetti throws a hook but Thrul avoids it easily.
Thrul connects with a body shot that sends Vanzetti's belly button to the back.
Vanzetti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thrul throws a body shot but no joy.
Vanzetti fails to land with a series of punches.
And Thrul tries to counter it with a takedown but Vanzetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Vanzetti slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thrul throws a series of punches but Vanzetti moves out of range.
Vanzetti misses with a series of wild punches.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Thrul.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Vanzetti.
Vanzetti jabs Thrul to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Vanzetti tries to clinch there but Thrul circles away.

Vanzetti gets caught napping as Thrul dives in and scores a takedown. Vanzetti manages to retain guard.
Thrul won't allow Vanzetti to get back to his feet.
Thrul with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Thrul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thrul stands and throws Vanzetti's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Vanzetti is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thrul asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thrul working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thrul throws a strike aimed at the side of Vanzetti's head but Vanzetti avoids it well.
Vanzetti is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thrul asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thrul trying to control the position but Vanzetti is working away.
Thrul controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vanzetti wants to get back to his feet but Thrul drags him back down.
Vanzetti tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Vanzetti wants to try and get back to his feet.
Vanzetti is bucking up trying to escape but Thrul cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vanzetti somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Vanzetti misses with a few strikes there.
Vanzetti pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Thrul back to the cage. Vanzetti follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Thrul lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Vanzetti tries to clinch up.
A shot to the liver by Thrul. Beautiful body shot.
Vanzetti moves away from the strike by Thrul.
Thrul throws a push kick but Vanzetti slaps the foot to one side.
Thrul throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vanzetti.
Sacco Vanzetti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vanzetti tries to clinch up but Thrul circles away and keeps his distance.
Sloppy strikes from Vanzetti. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thrul shoots in for a double leg but Vanzetti sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vanzetti is looking for a counter combo.
Thrul fails with the takedown
and Thrul takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from Vanzetti does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thrul pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vanzetti is out of range and Thrul settles back down.
Vanzetti doesn't manage to clinch there - Thrul circles away.
And Thrul tries to counter it with a takedown but Vanzetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Vanzetti works the jab nicely.
Vanzetti avoids the head kick by Thrul.
Thrul throws a lazy right hand but Vanzetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thrul throws a head kick that half lands.
Vanzetti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thrul was well out of range. Poor timing from Vanzetti.
Vanzetti throws a right and a left that Thrul avoids nicely.
Thrul takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vanzetti swinging wildly here.
Thrul tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thrul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sacco Vanzetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aznar Thrul.
Thrul looks to score with a jab to the body but Vanzetti is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sacco Vanzetti.
I think Vanzetti 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sacco Vanzetti!
A relieved looking Sacco Vanzetti thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.