PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Zanella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matheus Ruas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hugo Zanella could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Matheus Ruas's chin.

Zanella
vs
Ruas

188 cm
19
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
23
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hugo Zanella!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Ruas!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zanella misses with a wild combination.
Zanella thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ruas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zanella is fending him off so far but Ruas persists. Nope, Zanella circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruas misses with a combination
and Zanella connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zanella looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruas is just out of range.

Ruas shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zanella's guard.
Ruas won't allow Zanella to sweep him here.

Zanella is looking for a triangle but Ruas pushes his legs off easily.
Ruas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ruas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zanella is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ruas desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Zanella is keen to just control but Ruas is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruas is trying to control but can't.

Zanella escapes and gets back to his feet.
Ruas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zanella tries to avoid it but Ruas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zanella to the ground. Zanella escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ruas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ruas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Zanella throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Zanella is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ruas's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ruas's back!
Zanella gets his hands free as Ruas looks to control.
Ruas can't escape the position.
Ruas controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Ruas looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruas is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Zanella.
Zanella missing with punches from the back.
Good control from Zanella.
Ruas looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanella is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Ruas is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ruas tries to escape but Zanella has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Zanella controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ruas looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Ruas is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Zanella.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Hugo Zanella just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
A jab from Zanella misses.
Ruas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zanella lands a right hook to the body.
Ruas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zanella sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ruas somewhat.
Hugo Zanella has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Ruas.
Zanella ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruas moves away.
Ruas avoids the body shot from Zanella.
Zanella looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ruas shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Zanella dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ruas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zanella was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruas.
Ruas shoots in looking for a takedown. Zanella tries to sprawl out of it but Ruas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zanella manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ruas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zanella.
Zanella is looking to wear down Ruas with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
No joy there for Zanella, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ruas misses with a wild combination.
Ruas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zanella misses with a double jab

and Ruas counters with a takedown into side control.
Zanella is looking for a sweep.
Ruas throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Zanella really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zanella regains half guard.
Ruas is breathing heavily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zanella manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zanella is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zanella gets to his feet - Ruas follows without any prompting.
Hugo Zanella is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zanella defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ruas.
Hugo Zanella has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Ruas.
Zanella leaves Ruas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Zanella lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Zanella with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matheus Ruas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zanella scores with a hook to the body. Ruas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zanella scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ruas in his tracks.
Ruas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zanella.
Zanella lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ruas at a distance.
Nice shot by Zanella.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zanella is fending him off so far but Ruas persists. Nope, Zanella circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice jab there from Zanella.
Zanella tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruas was well out of range. Poor timing from Zanella.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zanella takes a swing at Ruas's ribcage but misses.
Ruas looks to throw the jab but Zanella is out of range.
Zanella throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zanella takes a swing at Ruas's ribcage but misses.
Ruas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Zanella looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruas is just out of range.
Zanella fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruas manages to avoid it.
Zanella tries to bum rush Ruas with a series of wild strikes but Ruas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ruas walks into a stiff left hand from Zanella.
Ruas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zanella looks to land a combination. Ruas sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ruas misses with a takedown attempt - Zanella sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zanella scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanella clobbers Ruas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zanella is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ruas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zanella sprawls well. Zanella wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ruas gets slowly back to his feet.
Ruas slips under a jab from Zanella.
Zanella misses with a few strikes there.
Zanella is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zanella misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruas.
Zanella lands a nice hook to Ruas's body. Ruas takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hugo Zanella is winning the standup battle so far.
Ruas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zanella throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruas throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ruas walks into a stiff left hand from Zanella.
Ruas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zanella connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ruas shoots for a double leg takedown but Zanella sprawls well. He's pushed Ruas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zanella.
Zanella throws a combination. Ruas tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Zanella digs a good hook to Ruas's body.
Zanella looks to land a combination but Ruas avoids it well.
Zanella throws a hook but Ruas avoids it easily.

Ruas darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ruas wants to take a breather but Zanella is having none of it.
Ruas prevents Zanella from improving his position.
Zanella wants to control but Ruas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruas is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ruas working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Zanella 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!

Ruas fails with the takedown.

Ruas feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ruas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ruas postures up and lands a big shot to Zanella's brow.
Zanella looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ruas is one step ahead there.
Zanella manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ruas manages to get himself to full guard.
Ruas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zanella. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zanella wants to control from the top but Ruas keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ruas can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zanella stopping the sweep attempt from Ruas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanella trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ruas wants to stand up but Zanella is controlling him.
Zanella trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ruas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

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.
Ruas looking to control.
Zanella will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Zanella stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Zanella ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruas moves away.
Zanella keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zanella throws a hook but Ruas avoids it easily.
Ruas shoots in but Zanella avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hugo Zanella has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Ruas.
Zanella lands a jab to the nose.
Ruas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Zanella misses the jab.
Ruas throws a right and a left that Zanella avoids nicely.
Zanella misses the body punch
and Zanella takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zanella looks to land a combination. Ruas sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruas closes the distance and clinches up with Zanella, looking for a takedown. Ruas pushes Zanella against the cage but Zanella circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Zanella.
Zanella scores with a nice head shot.
Ruas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zanella fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hugo Zanella is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zanella scores with a sloppy right hand. Ruas should have avoided that one.
Zanella throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ruas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matheus Ruas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zanella throws a one two combo.
Ruas walks into a stiff left hand from Zanella.
Zanella swinging wildly here.
Ruas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ruas fails to land the takedown.
Ruas misses with a hook to the body
and Zanella counters with a left to the body.
Zanella takes a swing at Ruas's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanella is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zanella is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ruas.
Ruas has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zanella stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zanella wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ruas.
Some wild striking there from Zanella.
Hugo Zanella is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ruas shoots and misses
and Zanella counters with a right hand to the body.
Ruas slips a jab from Zanella.
Ruas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zanella sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ruas somewhat.
No joy there for Zanella, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ruas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zanella moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zanella scores with a nice right hand.
Zanella fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugo Zanella showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zanella, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight for Hugo Zanella!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Hugo Zanella!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight for Hugo Zanella!

Hugo Zanella wins by unanimous decision!