PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Mazzuca (ranked 2461 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Svensson (ranked 2834 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mazzuca
vs
Svensson

188 cm
38
198 lbs
28 - 10 - 0

182 cm
26
192 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 28 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Robert Mazzuca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kalle Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mazzuca fails with an attempt to clinch.
Svensson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Svensson misses with a few strikes there.
That kick from Mazzuca tenderised Svensson's leg. Svensson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mazzuca is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Svensson.

Mazzuca gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Mazzuca has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Svensson has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Mazzuca misses with the head strike.
Mazzuca swings wildly with an uppercut but Svensson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mazzuca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Svensson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mazzuca can't fight it off and eventually Svensson manages to take the fight to the floor. Mazzuca looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mazzuca escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Svensson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mazzuca trying to keep a closed guard but Svensson is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzuca lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mazzuca controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mazzuca wants to control from the top but Svensson keeps moving.
Mazzuca has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Svensson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mazzuca controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mazzuca stopping the sweep attempt from Svensson.

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.
Mazzuca trying to control the position from guard on top but Svensson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mazzuca pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Svensson is keeping the position for now.
Mazzuca is looking to pass into half guard but Svensson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Svensson is in guard.

Svensson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mazzuca swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Svensson won't allow Mazzuca to sweep him here.
Svensson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Mazzuca is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Svensson defends well.
Mazzuca not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svensson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Svensson wants to control from the top but Mazzuca keeps moving.
Svensson passes Mazzuca's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Svensson is working for a kimura but Mazzuca is defending it quite comfortably.
Mazzuca tries to get to full guard but Svensson has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Svensson trying to control from Mazzuca's half guard. Mazzuca has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Mazzuca is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Svensson tries to roll over but Mazzuca keeps him under control.

Mazzuca is looking for a kimura here.
Svensson is not content to let Mazzuca control the position.
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 Robert Mazzuca will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Svensson takes one to the side of the head.
Svensson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Despite the aggression on Svensson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Svensson misses with a double jab.
A head kick misses from Svensson.
Svensson lands a jab to the nose.
Svensson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mazzuca misses with a body shot.
Mazzuca connects with a good right hand that stumbles Svensson. Svensson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Svensson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca connects with a solid leg kick.
Kalle Svensson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Svensson lands a jab to the nose.
Svensson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Mazzuca was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Svensson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mazzuca with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mazzuca misses with a right hand
and Svensson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mazzuca tries to close the distance and clinch but Svensson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson tries to bum rush Mazzuca with a series of wild strikes but Mazzuca uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Robert Mazzuca is winning the standup battle so far.
That kick from Mazzuca tenderised Svensson's leg. Svensson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Svensson misses with a head kick.
Robert Mazzuca is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mazzuca 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.

Mazzuca closes the distance and clinches.
Mazzuca lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mazzuca misses with a punch to the body.
Svensson tries to pull guard but Mazzuca holds him up against the cage and eventually Svensson drops back down to his feet.
Mazzuca prevents a body shot from Svensson.
Mazzuca struggles to land a body shot inside as Svensson controls his hands.
Mazzuca lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mazzuca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mazzuca misses with some punches.
Svensson wants a takedown.
Mazzuca misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Svensson throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Still in the clinch, Mazzuca scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mazzuca working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mazzuca lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Svensson.
Mazzuca lands with a right to the head.
Mazzuca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Svensson backwards.
Svensson misses with the head strike.
Mazzuca misses with the head strike.
Svensson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Robert Mazzuca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Svensson.
Mazzuca lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mazzuca has a couple of punches blocked by Svensson.
Svensson tries to pull guard but Mazzuca holds him up against the cage and eventually Svensson drops back down to his feet.
Mazzuca throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Svenssons head.
Mazzuca misses with a body punch.
Svensson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Svensson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mazzuca is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzuca can't find room to land a body shot as Svensson controls the action.
Svensson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mazzuca lands a left hand that snaps the head of Svensson backwards.
Mazzuca is working Svensson over against the cage.
Svensson is breathing heavily.
Svensson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mazzuca lands with a left to the head.
Mazzuca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mazzuca prevents the takedown attempt.
Mazzuca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Mazzuca.
Svensson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mazzuca misses with a punch to the body.
Mazzuca lands a shot to the body.
Svensson blocking some punches.
Mazzuca prevents the takedown attempt.
Mazzuca stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A short left from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mazzuca misses with a hook from the clinch.
Svensson is looking for a takedown.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Svensson is trying to drag Mazzuca to the mat but Mazzuca just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Svensson takes a shot to the head.
Mazzuca lands a left hand that snaps the head of Svensson backwards.
Mazzuca goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mazzuca scores with a shoulder strike.
Svensson takes a shot to the head.
Svensson wants a takedown.
Mazzuca is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Svensson can do to turn this around?
Mazzuca misses with a hook to the ribs.
Svensson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mazzuca is defending well.
A short left from Mazzuca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Mazzuca dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Svensson tries to keep at a distance but Mazzuca has taken the fight into the clinch.
Svensson wants a takedown.
Mazzuca is pressed up against the cage. Svensson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mazzuca down to the mat. Mazzuca avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Svensson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mazzuca sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Svensson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mazzuca to score with a decent uppercut.
Svensson lands with a nice body punch.
Svensson misses with a takedown attempt - Mazzuca sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Robert Mazzuca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Svensson.
Mazzuca lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson swings for the body but Mazzuca moves out of range.
Svensson blocks a jab.
Svensson shoots in for a double leg but Mazzuca sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mazzuca swings widly with a right hand
and Svensson counters with a head kick.
Mazzuca cracks Svensson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mazzuca.
Svensson ducks under a wild hook from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Svensson is able to avoid easily.
Svensson misses with a body kick.
Mazzuca was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mazzuca with a nice cross.
Svensson looks to throw the jab but Mazzuca is out of range.
Svensson throws a head kick but Mazzuca moves out of range.
Svensson throws a sloppy head kick and Mazzuca moves out of range easily.
Svensson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mazzuca clinches.
Mazzuca lands a left hand that snaps the head of Svensson backwards.
Mazzuca throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Mazzuca scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Svensson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Svensson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mazzuca is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Svensson blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzuca tries to work over Svensson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mazzuca misses with a punch on the inside.
Svensson prevents a body shot from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca tries to work over Svensson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mazzuca working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Svensson.
Mazzuca misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mazzuca lands a right hand.
Mazzuca can't find room to land a body shot as Svensson controls the action.
Mazzuca tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Svensson is trying to pull guard but Mazzuca has him pressed against the cage.
Mazzuca throws a head punch that misses.
Mazzuca lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Svensson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mazzuca prevents it.
Mazzuca misses with the head strike.
Svensson is trying to pull guard but Mazzuca turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzuca lands with a light punch inside.
Mazzuca pushes Svensson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mazzuca lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mazzuca.
Mazzuca lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Mazzuca fails to land.
Svensson blocks an uppercut.
Svensson prevents a body shot from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca pushes Svensson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kalle Svensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mazzuca lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Svensson.
A short right from Mazzuca on the inside.
Mazzuca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right from Mazzuca.
Mazzuca lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in the clinch, Mazzuca scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mazzuca misses with a hook from the clinch.
Robert Mazzuca is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mazzuca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Svensson is trying to pull guard but Mazzuca turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mazzuca goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Svensson misses with a body punch.
Svensson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mazzuca misses with a body punch.
Mazzuca blocking some punches.
Svensson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mazzuca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Svensson can't find room to land a body shot as Mazzuca controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Mazzuca showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mazzuca has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Mazzuca!
An out of breath Robert Mazzuca thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.