PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and brennan zolis (ranked 0 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.

Thiago
vs
zolis

190 cm
22
226 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Thiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, brennan zolis!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thiago blocks a head kick by zolis.
Thiago scores with a hook.
zolis tries a head kick but it misses.
Thiago misses with a few strikes there.

zolis closes the distance and clinches.
Thiago prevents the takedown attempt.
zolis struggles to land a body shot inside as Thiago controls his hands.
zolis leaning his opponent against the cage.

zolis breaks the clinch.
zolis scores with a push kick.
Thiago is breathing heavily.
Thiago scores with a sloppy right hand. zolis should have avoided that one.

zolis rushes Thiago and presses him up against the cage.
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!

zolis breaks from the clinch.
zolis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thiago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but zolis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from zolis does no damage.
Thiago leaves zolis with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thiago Thiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of brennan zolis.
Thiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but zolis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
zolis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by zolis or perhaps it was just good defense by Thiago which made him look bad.
zolis throws a push kick but Thiago slaps the foot to one side.
zolis shoots for a takedown but Thiago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thiago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thiago pivots, looking for a leg kick but zolis is out of range and Thiago settles back down.
zolis fails with the takedown.
zolis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thiago pinned against the cage. Thiago gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two 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.
Thiago lands a nice hook to zolis's body. zolis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thiago moves out of range of the strikes.
zolis shoots in for a double leg but Thiago sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thiago scores with a head kick.

Thiago takes the fight into the clinch.
Thiago wants to get back to striking at distance but zolis won't allow it.
Thiago tries to break free but zolis pushes him back against the cage.
Thiago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Thiago wants to get back to striking at distance but zolis won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Thiago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thiago is trying to break free.
zolis fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Thiago has had enough of the clinch but zolis keeps him there for the moment.

Thiago ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thiago no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
zolis won't allow Thiago to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thiago throws a series of punches but zolis avoids them all with ease.
zolis is looking to clinch but Thiago is avoiding it.
A right-left combo lands from Thiago.
zolis closes the distance but Thiago moves to the side
and Thiago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
zolis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thiago lands a straight punch to the body, keeping zolis at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

brennan zolis dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thiago throws a series of punches but zolis avoids them all with ease.
Thiago misses with a combination

and zolis counters by moving into the clinch.
Thiago wants to break the clinch but can't.
zolis has a couple of punches blocked by Thiago.
zolis stops a takedown attempt from Thiago.
zolis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thiago avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
zolis is trying to stall.
zolis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thiago is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

zolis manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
zolis can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thiago controls the pace.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
zolis working a defensive guard but Thiago passes into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thiago with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
zolis tries to kick Thiago off but Thiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Still in half guard, Thiago seems content to control.
Thiago wants to pass the guard but zolis is defending well.

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.
Thiago is taking a breather. zolis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thiago decides to return to a standing position.
Good exchange - Thiago coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
zolis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
zolis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thiago.
zolis takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jab, jab by Thiago - just one landing.
Thiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but zolis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A good leg kick by Thiago.
zolis has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Thiago tries to bum rush zolis with a series of wild strikes but zolis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thiago moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thiago stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A nice combination there by Thiago.
Thiago fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Thiago both land. Nice combination.
Thiago stalks zolis and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into zolis's face. zolis staggers backwards, shaken.
A chopping leg kick lands by Thiago.

Thiago takes the fight into the clinch.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A jab from Thiago does it's job there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Thiago. That's going to slow zolis down.
Nice sprawl there from zolis as Thiago shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Thiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thiago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but zolis circles away quickly and effectively.
No joy there for Thiago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Thiago, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Thiago dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Thiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
zolis fails with the takedown
and Thiago counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thiago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thiago lands with a nice combination. zolis backs away looking to recover.
Thiago misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
zolis takes a shot to the body in his stride.
zolis fails in his attempt to clinch.
A nice combination there by Thiago.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thiago throws a right hand that zolis ducks under and follows up with a left that zolis also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
zolis takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Thiago misses with a kick to the body.
zolis wants to clinch.
Thiago keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago lands with a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Thiago!
Thiago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thiago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thiago throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and zolis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thiago won't be happy with that.
Thiago is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, zolis asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Thiago trying to remain calm as zolis controls from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
zolis trying to control the action but Thiago is working from the bottom.
Thiago wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Thiago trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
zolis clinches but Thiago breaks the clinch
and Thiago cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
zolis fails with an attempt to clinch.

Thiago instigates a clinch.
zolis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thiago smiles and moves away.
Thiago lands with a shot to the body.

Thiago drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Thiago controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Thiago stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. zolis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thiago controls from within his opponent's guard.
Thiago stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. zolis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thiago tries to stand but zolis is controlling from the bottom.

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 Thiago Thiago.
Well Thiago has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Thiago!