PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Osmany Pizziconi (ranked 2219 p4p, 2515 weight class) and Darryl Haze (ranked 297 p4p, 327 weight class). Darryl Haze has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pizziconi
vs
Haze

186 cm
22
180
5 - 2 - 0

179 cm
23
170
7 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Osmany Pizziconi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Darryl Haze !
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haze as he avoids it easily.
Pizziconi backing away here, and Haze unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Pizziconi misses with a takedown attempt - Haze sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Haze tries a quick counter leg kick but Pizziconi is wise to it.
Pizziconi staying out of range there.
Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Haze sprawls well. Haze wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pizziconi gets slowly back to his feet.
Haze flicks out a counter leg kick but Pizziconi steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osmany Pizziconi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haze leaves Pizziconi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Haze stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Haze wants it to stay on the feet.
Pizziconi misses with a takedown
and Haze counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Haze fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pizziconi manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haze lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice shot lands for Haze .
A solid leg kick lands there for Haze .
Pizziconi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Haze dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pizziconi. That did some damage!
Pizziconi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Haze defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Pizziconi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Pizziconi scoring with punches from side control.
Haze is trying to escape the position but Pizziconi is controlling the position.
Haze is looking for a sweep.
Pizziconi working away.
Pizziconi working the ground and pound.
Haze has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Pizziconi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haze keeps working.
Haze tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi wants to control but Haze is keeping him busy.
We've been hearing that Pizziconi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Haze manages to get back to half guard.
Pizziconi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Haze trying to hold on to Pizziconi's head to control him but Pizziconi postures up.
Haze regains full guard. Nicely done.
Haze is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pizziconi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pizziconi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pizziconi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haze working a defensive guard here.
Pizziconi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Haze wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Pizziconi content to stall in guard here.
Pizziconi throws a big right hand that misses.
Haze is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Haze as Pizziconi shoots in.
Haze with the counter takedown but Pizziconi avoids it easily.
Pizziconi shoots in looking for a takedown. Haze tries to sprawl out of it but Pizziconi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haze manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

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.
Haze leaves Pizziconi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pizziconi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Haze counters with a nice body shot.
Pizziconi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Haze defends it nicely.
Pizziconi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Haze sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pizziconi somewhat.
Haze takes a swing at Pizziconi's ribcage but misses.
Pizziconi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Haze sprawls and moves away.
Pizziconi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Haze .
Pizziconi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haze swivels and escapes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pizziconi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Haze 's guard.
Haze has momentary wrist control but Pizziconi slips an elbow through the middle.
Haze controls Pizziconi momentarily but Pizziconi frees himself.
Pizziconi trying to control the position from guard on top but Haze is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pizziconi closes the distance and clinches up with Haze , looking for a takedown. Pizziconi pushes Haze against the cage but Haze circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pizziconi has his takedown stuffed

and Haze counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pizziconi won't be happy with that.
Pizziconi manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pizziconi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Haze is stalling here. Pizziconi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Haze seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Pizziconi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Pizziconi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Haze is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pizziconi wants to take a breather but Haze manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Pizziconi.
Pizziconi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Haze has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haze looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Haze is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haze looking for a sweep. Not yet Haze , not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Haze controls Pizziconi momentarily but Pizziconi frees himself.
Pizziconi with a nice head shot there.
Pizziconi is in close to Haze 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pizziconi wants to control from the top but Haze keeps moving.
Pizziconi 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.
Pizziconi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pizziconi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Haze is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Pizziconi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Haze manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pizziconi has Haze in his guard.

Haze advances position into side control!
Pizziconi is not content to let Haze control the position.
Pizziconi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Haze wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where Pizziconi is right now.
Haze working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Pizziconi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pizziconi dodges the ground and pound from Haze .
Haze wants to control but Pizziconi is keeping him busy.
Pizziconi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pizziconi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Darryl Haze will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Haze displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pizziconi.
Haze drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pizziconi defends it well.
No luck for Pizziconi with that takedown attempt.
Pizziconi closes the distance and clinches up with Haze , looking for a takedown. Pizziconi pushes Haze against the cage but Haze circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osmany Pizziconi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pizziconi shoots in for a double leg but Haze sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Haze closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pizziconi did well to prevent Haze getting side control.
Osmany Pizziconi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haze is keen to just control but Pizziconi is a slippery customer.
Haze thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pizziconi's head.
Pizziconi desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Haze wants to control but Pizziconi is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haze lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Haze is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizziconi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Haze trying to control the position from guard on top but Pizziconi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pizziconi trying to control the position.
Haze stays in close to Pizziconi's body and controls the position.
Haze pushes down on Pizziconi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Haze trying to control from half guard but Pizziconi is working away.

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.
Haze throws a strike but Pizziconi avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Haze trying to control the position from guard on top but Pizziconi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haze wants to pass the guard but Pizziconi is keeping the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Haze throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pizziconi closes the distance and clinches up with Haze , looking for a takedown. Pizziconi pushes Haze against the cage but Haze circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A nice side step and Haze releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Haze ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haze misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pizziconi.
A punch combination from Haze misses.
Pizziconi misses with a takedown attempt
and Haze counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pizziconi avoids the body shot from Haze .
Haze defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pizziconi.
Haze feints the counter takedown.
Pizziconi checks a low kick from Haze .
Haze lands a nice hook to Pizziconi's body. Pizziconi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pizziconi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haze as he jumps to the side.
Pizziconi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haze 's waist but Haze gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pizziconi off to one side.
Haze defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pizziconi.
Haze with the counter takedown but Pizziconi avoids it easily.
Pizziconi fails to land the takedown.
Haze lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haze lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Haze throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pizziconi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haze swivels and escapes.
Haze is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pizziconi rather than just go for the knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haze misses with a body shot.

Pizziconi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haze is pushing down on Pizziconi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pizziconi is fighting to maintain full guard but Haze has managed to sneak the leg through.
Haze not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haze thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haze passes to full mount!
Pizziconi holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Haze tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Haze tries to control but Pizziconi wriggling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haze throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pizziconi because Haze loaded up on that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darryl Haze really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Haze stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Haze wants it to stay on the feet.
Pizziconi looks for a takedown but Haze sprawls well.
Pizziconi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osmany Pizziconi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pizziconi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Osmany Pizziconi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haze cracks a nice hook into Pizziconi's ribs.

Pizziconi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Pizziconi is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haze manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haze has momentary wrist control but Pizziconi slips an elbow through the middle.
Pizziconi stopping the sweep attempt from Haze .
Pizziconi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pizziconi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pizziconi throws a big elbow that misses.
Haze is trying to control the position but Pizziconi postures up.
Pizziconi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Haze is pulling down on Pizziconi's head. It's preventing any offense from Pizziconi, at least for the moment.
Haze keeping moving, preventing Pizziconi from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pizziconi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Haze keeping full guard, as Pizziconi tries to pass.
Pizziconi throws a strike but Haze rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Haze is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pizziconi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi keeping moving, preventing Haze from controlling successfully.
Pizziconi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Haze .

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Haze fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Haze gets caught napping as Pizziconi dives in and scores a takedown. Haze manages to retain guard.

Haze is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pizziconi is looking to work some ground and pound but Haze has wrist control.
Pizziconi controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haze working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pizziconi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pizziconi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pizziconi stands up over Haze , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pizziconi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pizziconi looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Osmany Pizziconi had his way with Darryl Haze in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Haze tries to score with a low kick but Pizziconi moves his leg out of the way.
Haze stuffs the takedown attempt from Pizziconi. Pizziconi gets slowly back to his feet.
Haze appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Haze does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pizziconi shoots for a double leg takedown but Haze sprawls well. He's pushed Pizziconi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A cross from Haze lands.
Pizziconi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haze swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osmany Pizziconi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pizziconi closes the distance and clinches up with Haze , looking for a takedown. Pizziconi pushes Haze against the cage but Haze circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pizziconi misses with a takedown attempt
and Haze makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Pizziconi fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haze lands a really nice looking cross but Pizziconi seems unphased.
Pizziconi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Haze avoids it really well and circles away.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Pizziconi ducks under a wild hook from Haze .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pizziconi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Haze .
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pizziconi.
Pizziconi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haze 's waist but Haze gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pizziconi off to one side.

Pizziconi decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Haze wants to get back to full guard.
Pizziconi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Haze is looking to control Pizziconi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haze avoid being mounted?
Pizziconi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Pizziconi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Haze 's head.
Pizziconi drops an elbow to the side of Haze 's head.
Pizziconi passes to full mount!
Pizziconi breaks from Haze 's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Pizziconi with a couple of short strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haze tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Osmany Pizziconi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pizziconi working Haze over with strikes here.
Pizziconi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
A nice elbow there by Pizziconi.
Pizziconi working the ground and pound effectively.
Pizziconi fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Haze wants to hold on but Pizziconi pushes him away.
Pizziconi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Haze is rocked!
Haze really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Haze is still in real trouble! Can Pizziconi finish him?
Pizziconi controlling the pace for now.
Pizziconi unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Haze wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Pizziconi celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Osmany Pizziconi!
After the fight, Osmany Pizziconi was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.