PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lars Wagner (ranked 1822 p4p, 4244 weight class) and Ciccio Lo Zizio (ranked 232 p4p, 479 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Wagner
vs
Lo Zizio

180 cm
25
185
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
195
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lars Wagner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ciccio Lo Zizio!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lo Zizio gets tackled into the cage by Wagner. Wagner maintains the clinch.
Lo Zizio lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Wagner or not.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lo Zizio - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nice body punch from Lo Zizio.
Lo Zizio lands a shot to the body.
Lo Zizio wants a takedown but no success here.
Lo Zizio misses with a hook to the ribs.

Lo Zizio decides to pull guard.
Lo Zizio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lo Zizio striking off his back but it's not causing Wagner any problems.
Lo Zizio has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lo Zizio throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Wagner wants to control from the top but Lo Zizio keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner wants to stand but Lo Zizio has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Lo Zizio is trying to control the position but Wagner postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Wagner stops Lo Zizio from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lo Zizio moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Wagner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Lo Zizio turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
An elbow from Lo Zizio crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lo Zizio working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Wagner is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Lo Zizio is controlling him well.
Lo Zizio misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Wagner is trying to improve his position.
Lo Zizio looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Wagner is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lo Zizio working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lo Zizio postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
You can see the frustration on Wagner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lo Zizio working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Sloppy strikes there by Lo Zizio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Lo Zizio seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Lo Zizio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Lo Zizio is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Wagner has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lo Zizio working the ground and pound but Wagner is defending the strikes.
Wagner parries the strikes from Lo Zizio easily there. Lo Zizio is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Wagner to escape.
You can see the frustration on Wagner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lo Zizio working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Wagner sneaks out the side door and pushes Lo Zizio away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Lo Zizio gets a clinch.

Wagner jumps guard and drags Lo Zizio to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lo Zizio throws an elbow that misses. Wagner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lo Zizio's guard. Nice move by Wagner!

Lo Zizio thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Lo Zizio striking off his back but it's not causing Wagner any problems.
Lo Zizio trying to strike off his back.

Lo Zizio working for a triangle but Wagner defends it easily.

Lo Zizio isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Wagner stacks Lo Zizio on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Wagner!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lo Zizio looking to score a takedown here. Wagner is defending well but Lo Zizio drives through and ends up in Wagner's guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Wagner's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Lo Zizio throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wagner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wagner wants to stand and escape but Lo Zizio is having none of it.
Lo Zizio keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wagner's head.
Lo Zizio is in close to Wagner's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lo Zizio is looking to work some ground and pound but Wagner has wrist control.
Lo Zizio throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lo Zizio throws a big right hand that misses.
Lo Zizio chips away with some ground and pound.
Wagner keeping full guard, as Lo Zizio tries to pass.
Lo Zizio throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lo Zizio throwing strikes but missing.

Lo Zizio drops back looking for a leg! Wagner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wagner manages to kick Lo Zizio off! Lo Zizio jumps back into Wagner's guard.
Wagner looking to control.

Wagner is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Lo Zizio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lo Zizio jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wagner walks away with a smile on his face. Lo Zizio gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Wagner has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lo Zizio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wagner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Lo Zizio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Wagner rushes Lo Zizio and presses him up against the cage.
Lo Zizio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lars Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ciccio Lo Zizio.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lo Zizio tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wagner's elbow.
Lo Zizio goes for a takedown attempt but Wagner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wagner gets tackled into the cage by Lo Zizio. Lo Zizio maintains the clinch.
Wagner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lo Zizio fails to pull guard.
Lo Zizio wants a takedown but no success here.
Lo Zizio wants to take the fight to the mat but Wagner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lo Zizio misses with a body punch.
Lo Zizio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wagner is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lo Zizio is trying to drag Wagner to the mat but Wagner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wagner prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lo Zizio using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wagner has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Lo Zizio works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Lo Zizio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wagner trying to control the position here.
Lo Zizio is looking to work some ground and pound but Wagner has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Wagner has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Lo Zizio has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Lo Zizio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ciccio Lo Zizio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Wagner avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lo Zizio stuns Wagner with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lo Zizio shoots in for a takedown but Wagner shows good takedown defense.
Lo Zizio lands an overhand right.
Lo Zizio shoots and misses
and Wagner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lo Zizio is defended easily by Wagner.
Lars Wagner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ciccio Lo Zizio.
Lo Zizio shoots in for a double leg but Wagner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Lo Zizio instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lo Zizio is trying to drag Wagner to the mat but Wagner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lo Zizio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lo Zizio is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wagner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lo Zizio is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lo Zizio is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wagner to keep the fight standing.
Wagner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lo Zizio misses with an elbow strike.
Lo Zizio keeps control of Wagner as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lo Zizio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wagner prevents it.
Wagner tries a body shot but Lo Zizio blocks it.
Lo Zizio can't get the takedown.
Wagner tries to throw a body punch but Lo Zizio avoids it by throwing Wagner back against the cage.
Lo Zizio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lo Zizio has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.
Lo Zizio goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lo Zizio lands with a right to the head.
Lo Zizio wants a takedown.
Wagner tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lo Zizio tries to work over Wagner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lo Zizio has Wagner pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wagner manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wagner misses with the head strike.
Lars Wagner has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Wagner is trying to force a seperation but Lo Zizio has the dominant position.
Lo Zizio is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lo Zizio is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wagner pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner tries to stall but Lo Zizio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lo Zizio tries to score a body lock takedown but Wagner shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wagner gets underhooks to prevent Lo Zizio's takedown attempt.

Wagner gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lo Zizio throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Wagner manages to pass to side control.

Wagner decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Wagner gets a clinch.
Lo Zizio has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wagner after a bit of a struggle.

Wagner is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lo Zizio is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Wagner to the mat. Wagner regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ciccio Lo Zizio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wagner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wagner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lo Zizio won't allow Wagner to sweep him here.
Lo Zizio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wagner wants to stand but Lo Zizio is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lo Zizio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lo Zizio landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wagner wants to stand up but Lo Zizio is controlling him.

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 Lars Wagner.
I think Lo Zizio 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

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