PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zane Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Cac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Howard
vs
Cac

153 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zane Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Leo Cac!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cac throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Howard was covering up waiting for the punch and Cac finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Howard is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Cac presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Howard ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Howard no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Howard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cac can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Howard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Howard is looking for a triangle but Cac pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cac seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cac wants to stand but Howard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howard has his foot on Cac's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cac works his way back into a safe position though.

Howard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cac defends it easily.
Howard throws a couple of heel strikes.
Cac's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Cac's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.

Cac closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Cac lands in his opponent's guard.

Howard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cac wanted to stand there but Howard had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cac trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Howard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Cac is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
More stalling from Cac.
Howard throws a big right hand that misses.
Howard is fighting to break Cac's control of his arms but Cac is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cac utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Howard won't allow Cac to get back to his feet.
Howard is working Cac over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Howard stopping the sweep attempt from Cac.
Howard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Howard won't allow Cac to sweep him here.

Cac working for a triangle but Howard defends it easily.
Howard distracts Cac with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cac looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cac is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cac looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cac clinches.
Howard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cac to keep the fight standing.

Howard decides to pull guard.
Cac not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cac throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Howard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cac slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cac works over Howard with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Howard working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cac has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cac is trying to work for a kimura but Howard is defending well.
Cac throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Howard to regain full guard.
Cac is stalling in the full guard.

Howard looking for a guillotine here but Cac defends easily.

That's two 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.
Cac trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Howard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Howard is in close to Cac's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Howard trying to control but Cac is working from the bottom.
Cac trying to control the position here.
Howard postures up in Cac's guard and throws a big left but Cac blocks it.

Cac working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Howard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Howard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cac seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard wants to control from the top but Cac keeps moving.
Cac is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Howard is controlling him.
Howard is looking to work some ground and pound but Cac has wrist control.
Cac is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Howard trying to control the position from guard on top but Cac is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Cac drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cac wants to stand but Howard has his arm trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cac in side control, throwing shots but Howard defends.
Zane Howard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Howard struggling a bit here.
Cac tries to stand but Howard is controlling his head.
Cac controls the position from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cac tries to advance to mount but Howard denies him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leo Cac will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cac dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cac works over Howard's head and body with a nice combination.
Howard takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Cac forces Howard back against the cage and clinches.

Cac gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Howard has his foot on Cac's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cac works his way back into a safe position though.
Cac content to stall in guard here.
Cac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Howard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cac accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Howard has his foot on Cac's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cac works his way back into a safe position though.
Howard wants to stand up but Cac is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cac controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Cac drives through with a takedown into Howard's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cac in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cac throwing strikes but missing.
Cac lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cac slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cac passes Howard's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Cac is going to stand back up.
Cac is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Cac in particular looking to stall.
Cac not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Howard is trying to maintain the position but Cac is very close to passing his half guard.
Cac thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Howard's head.

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.
Cac missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cac looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Cac looks to land a strike but Howard avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Cac postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Howard is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cac, into his guard.

Cac throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cac is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cac has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Cac comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cac 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Cac!