PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Moritz Zimmerman (ranked 295 p4p, 269 weight class) and Pyay Thuta (ranked 38 p4p, 36 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Zimmerman
vs
Thuta

200 cm
34
215
24 - 23 - 1

195 cm
28
214
16 - 6 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 23 - 1, fighting out of London, Moritz Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pyay Thuta!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thuta misses with a left hand

and Zimmerman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thuta tries to roll over but Zimmerman keeps him under control.
Zimmerman throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Thuta to regain full guard.
Thuta is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zimmerman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thuta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zimmerman throws a big right hand that misses.
Zimmerman is fighting to break Thuta's control of his arms but Thuta is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

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

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zimmerman working for a triangle but Thuta defends it easily.

Zimmerman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Thuta doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Thuta manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thuta wants to pass the guard but Zimmerman is keeping the position.
Thuta would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Zimmerman throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thuta escapes and throws Zimmerman's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Zimmerman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Thuta's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Zimmerman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thuta seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Zimmerman manages to get to full guard.
Thuta trying to control but Zimmerman is working from the bottom.
Zimmerman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thuta's guard.

Thuta is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zimmerman is controlling him.
Zimmerman postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Thuta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zimmerman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thuta's head.

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

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zimmerman throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thuta escapes and throws Zimmerman's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Zimmerman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zimmerman works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thuta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Zimmerman working for submissions but it's allowed Thuta to get to half guard.

Thuta stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Zimmerman to get to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Thuta.
Zimmerman misses with a takedown attempt

and Thuta counters with a crisp one two that drops Zimmerman! Thuta thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Zimmerman to his feet! Zimmerman is in big trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thuta throws a jab when Zimmerman was well out of range.
Thuta misses with a straight left.
Zimmerman drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thuta sprawls and moves away.
Thuta is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zimmerman.

Thuta clinches up with Zimmerman and pushes him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zimmerman tries for a takedown but Thuta manages to get underhooks.
Thuta presses Zimmerman against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Thuta lands a body punch in the clinch.
Zimmerman is breathing heavily.
Thuta lands with a left to the head.
Zimmerman tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thuta smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moritz Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thuta ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thuta connects with a right hand. Zimmerman shakes it off.

It looks like Moritz Zimmerman has been cut.
A clash of legs there as Zimmerman blocks the low kick.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thuta misses with a combination

and Zimmerman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thuta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thuta is trying to stand up here but Zimmerman is controlling him well.
Zimmerman tries to pass to full mount but Thuta defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thuta is defending against the submission attempts here by Zimmerman.

Zimmerman wants to work for an arm triangle but Thuta is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman uses his free foot to push down on Thuta's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thuta.
Thuta really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Moritz Zimmerman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zimmerman throws some wild stikes that Thuta manages to avoid easily.

Zimmerman is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Thuta has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Thuta!

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

Zimmerman looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Thuta pushes past his half guard into mount!
Thuta controlling the pace for now.
Zimmerman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thuta content just to control the position here.
Zimmerman manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thuta takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zimmerman 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.

Zimmerman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thuta tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Zimmerman.
Zimmerman is looking for a sweep. Thuta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Thuta gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thuta throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zimmerman changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thuta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thuta tries to close the distance and clinch but Zimmerman swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zimmerman fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pyay Thuta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zimmerman fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moritz Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thuta lands a jab to Zimmerman's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman dodges the punch combination from Thuta.
Thuta pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zimmerman looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Zimmerman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Zimmerman scores with a takedown into Thuta's guard.
Zimmerman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thuta swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thuta pulls Zimmerman in close to prevent any damage.
Zimmerman throws a big right hand that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pyay Thuta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Moritz Zimmerman's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Thuta bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zimmerman's head.

Thuta lands a left and a right that send Zimmerman crashing to the mat, dazed. Thuta thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Zimmerman is rocked!
Zimmerman uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thuta.
Zimmerman appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Oh Zimmerman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zimmerman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zimmerman seems to have got his legs back now.
Thuta misses the shot to the body.
Zimmerman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Thuta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zimmerman.
Thuta throws a lazy head kick

and Zimmerman counters with a single leg into guard. Thuta didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zimmerman is standing up over Thuta. Thuta looks to escape but Zimmerman dives into side control.

Zimmerman is trying to get an arm triangle but Thuta is defending well.
Thuta wants to control but Zimmerman postures up.
Thuta tries to buck Zimmerman off but Zimmerman is having none of it.

Zimmerman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Zimmerman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thuta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Thuta bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Zimmerman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pyay Thuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thuta swivels and escapes.
Thuta was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Moritz Zimmerman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zimmerman shoots in for a takedown but Thuta shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab from Thuta misses.
Zimmerman appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Thuta stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thuta wants it to stay on the feet.
Thuta throws the kick towards the body but Zimmerman avoids it.
Zimmerman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thuta smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Zimmerman has a takedown stuffed.
Thuta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zimmerman appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Pyay Thuta seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Zimmerman rushes Thuta and presses him up against the cage.
Thuta misses with a body punch.

Zimmerman wants the takedown. Thuta is fighting it off but Zimmerman persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thuta's guard against the cage.

Thuta manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Thuta connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thuta works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thuta waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zimmerman.
Zimmerman half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Thuta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thuta throws a sloppy head kick and Zimmerman moves out of range easily.
Zimmerman feinted with a counter takedown.
Zimmerman avoids the body shot from Thuta.
Zimmerman appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Pyay Thuta is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Thuta defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zimmerman.
Thuta feints a counter leg kick.
Thuta misses with a body kick.
Zimmerman walks into a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pyay Thuta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thuta 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

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