PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Samir Mozzi (ranked 4663 p4p, 4466 weight class) and Xon HiChi (ranked 499 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mozzi
vs
HiChi

184 cm
24
157
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Samir Mozzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Xon HiChi!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mozzi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
HiChi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
HiChi scores with a jab.
HiChi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mozzi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Donk. HiChi catches Mozzi right on the button with a cross.
A lazy left from HiChi finds it's target.

Mozzi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mozzi stands up and we're back to a striking position.
HiChi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mozzi's hands.
Mozzi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mozzi moves forwards but HiChi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
HiChi missing with a left hand there. Mozzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As HiChi backs away, Mozzi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mozzi fails to land the takedown.
Mozzi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
HiChi connects with a body shot.
HiChi wants to clinch but Mozzi slips to the side

and Mozzi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in HiChi's guard.
Mozzi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mozzi has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Mozzi passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mozzi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
HiChi tries to roll over but Mozzi keeps him under control.
Mozzi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mozzi passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for HiChi!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if HiChi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mozzi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HiChi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mozzi looking to control but HiChi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

HiChi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mozzi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
HiChi tries to improve his position but instead Mozzi has taken his back!
HiChi is trying to get back to his feet but Mozzi has full control of the position and if anything, HiChi has just worked his way into a worse spot.
HiChi trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
What can HiChi do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
HiChi is trying to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xon HiChi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Good exchange - HiChi coming out on top.
HiChi throws a body punch but Mozzi moves out of range.
Mozzi is looking to counter the offense by HiChi and move into the clinch.
A left lands for HiChi.
HiChi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mozzi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. HiChi defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
HiChi misses with a body shot.
Mozzi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from HiChi.
HiChi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mozzi has time to react.
HiChi cracks Mozzi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HiChi moves out of range of the leg kick from Mozzi.
HiChi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Mozzi shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches HiChi napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Mozzi stands up.
Jab from HiChi.
Mozzi defending well as HiChi loads up on a big left hand.
Mozzi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
HiChi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and HiChi wants it to stay on the feet.
HiChi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Mozzi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. HiChi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
HiChi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HiChi pushes Mozzi away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mozzi gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
HiChi is looking for a sweep.
Mozzi controlling from side mount.
Mozzi wants to lay and pray for a moment but HiChi keeps working.
Mozzi is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt HiChi will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
HiChi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HiChi on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
HiChi is not content to let Mozzi control the position.
HiChi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mozzi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mozzi slows the pace down.
HiChi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
You can see the frustration on HiChi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mozzi happy to just control the position for now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Xon HiChi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mozzi dives in for a single leg takedown but HiChi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
HiChi is looking to break free of the clinch but Mozzi has double underhooks.
Mozzi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but HiChi is defending well.
HiChi is working Mozzi over against the cage.
HiChi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mozzi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samir Mozzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
HiChi scores with a shoulder strike.
HiChi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
HiChi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mozzi is working for takedown but HiChi is calmly controlling the position for now.
HiChi is pressed up against the cage. Mozzi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag HiChi down to the mat. HiChi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mozzi tries to move into range but HiChi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
HiChi digs a good hook to Mozzi's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
HiChi lands a body shot.
Xon HiChi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mozzi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and HiChi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by HiChi.
HiChi digs a good body shot into Mozzi's ribs.
Samir Mozzi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mozzi is looking to clinch but HiChi is avoiding it.
HiChi cracks a nice hook into Mozzi's ribs.
Nice takedown defense from HiChi. No joy for Mozzi on that attempt.
Mozzi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
HiChi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mozzi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mozzi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but HiChi defends well and Mozzi ends up having to push HiChi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
HiChi has had enough of the clinch but Mozzi keeps him there for the moment.
HiChi tries to break free but Mozzi pushes him back against the cage.
HiChi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mozzi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables HiChi to keep the fight standing.
Mozzi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but HiChi is defending well.
HiChi pushes Mozzi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
HiChi digs a right hand into Mozzi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mozzi's gas tank.
Mozzi tries for a takedown but HiChi manages to get underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from HiChi.
HiChi lands a body shot.
Mozzi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HiChi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mozzi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but HiChi pulls him back up using the underhooks.

HiChi breaks from the clinch.
Xon HiChi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
HiChi moves into range and connects with a jab.
HiChi lands a jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. HiChi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mozzi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Xon HiChi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
HiChi 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.
HiChi connects with a single shot there.
HiChi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mozzi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mozzi shoots in but HiChi avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mozzi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
HiChi cracks a nice hook into Mozzi's ribs.
Mozzi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and HiChi counters with a stiff right hand.
HiChi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
HiChi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mozzi needs to keep his hands up - HiChi had a free shot at his head there.
HiChi scores with a body shot.
Samir Mozzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xon HiChi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
HiChi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xon HiChi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got HiChi 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 26:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xon HiChi!