PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Peter Zonta (ranked 2199 p4p, 236 weight class) and Tom Harper (ranked 2514 p4p, 261 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Zonta
vs
Harper

175 cm
19
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Peter Zonta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Harper!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zonta drives through and clinches with Harper against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Zonta.
Nice body punch from Zonta.
Zonta prevents the takedown attempt.
Zonta slows down the pace here.
Zonta scores with a hook to the body.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Harper has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Zonta gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Harper has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zonta is working away from the top position though.
Zonta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zonta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Zonta wants to control but Harper is keeping him busy.
Harper works his way to full guard. Good work.
Harper looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Harper is trying to keep Zonta in close.
Zonta scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harper working for a triangle but Zonta defends it easily.
Zonta throws a big right hand that misses.
Zonta lands a couple of digs.
Harper wants to sweep but no luck.
Harper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zonta knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Harper on the ground.
Zonta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Harper bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zonta's guard.

Zonta has momentary wrist control but Harper slips an elbow through the middle.
Harper stopping the sweep attempt from Zonta.
Harper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Harper chips away with some ground and pound.
Zonta 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.
Harper wants to control from the top but Zonta keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harper is looking to work some ground and pound but Zonta has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zonta pulls Harper in close to his closed guard and prevents Harper from doing any damage or advancing position.
Zonta has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Zonta's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Harper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zonta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Harper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Harper is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Harper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zonta is pulling down on Harper's head. It's preventing any offense from Harper, at least for the moment.
Zonta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zonta managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Zonta keeping full guard, as Harper tries to pass.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zonta wants to sweep but no luck.
Harper postures up in Zonta's guard and throws a big left but Zonta blocks it.
Harper postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zonta controlling the position.
Harper with a nice head shot there.
Harper is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Harper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zonta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zonta managing to control the position.
Harper lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper won't allow Zonta to sweep him here.
Zonta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Harper passes Zonta's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zonta is looking to improve his position.

Harper is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Harper throwing shots but Zonta is blocking nicely.
Harper lands with a punch from half guard.
Zonta is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Roosters Coop that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Zonta wants to control but Harper is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zonta is trying to get back to full guard.
Zonta controlling the position well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harper wants to pass to mount but Zonta is defending the position.
Zonta blocking the ground and pound attempt from Harper.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tom Harper will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zonta throws a hook but Harper blocks it.

Zonta has closed the distance and engaged Harper in a clinch.
Harper looking for a takedown.
Zonta works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Harper has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zonta avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Zonta prevents the takedown attempt.
Peter Zonta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Harper.
Harper is trying to drag Zonta to the mat but Zonta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zonta utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zonta looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zonta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Harper avoids it.
Zonta leaning against his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper wants to take the fight to the mat but Zonta manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Harper goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zonta prevents it.
Harper is working for takedown but Zonta is calmly controlling the position for now.

Zonta tightens his grip and picks Harper up, before dumping him to the ground. Harper manages to land in guard.
Harper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zonta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harper can do to turn this around?

Harper has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zonta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Harper can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zonta controls the pace.
Zonta looking to sit in guard and control but Harper gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Harper wants to pass the guard but Zonta is keeping the position.
Harper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zonta on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zonta tries to get out of the position.
Zonta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harper throws a big elbow that misses.
Zonta wants to get back to his feet but Harper is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Harper wants to control from the top but Zonta keeps moving.
Zonta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Harper is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper is looking to work some ground and pound but Zonta has wrist control.
Harper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zonta trying to control the position here.
Harper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zonta looking to control.
Harper postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zonta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Harper lands a couple of elbows.
Zonta has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Harper wants to pass the guard but Zonta is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zonta pulls Harper in close to prevent any damage.
Harper postures up.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zonta controls Harper momentarily but Harper frees himself.
Zonta keeping full guard, as Harper tries to pass.
Harper is fighting to break Zonta's control of his arms but Zonta is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zonta keeping moving, preventing Harper from controlling successfully.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Harper keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zonta's head.
Harper scoring with some ground and pound.
Harper throwing strikes from guard but Zonta blocks nicely.
Zonta is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Harper keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zonta's head.
Zonta seems keen to control Harper's posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Harper accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Harper is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Harper is fighting to break Zonta's control of his arms but Zonta is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harper postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Harper with a nice head shot there.
Harper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Harper loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Peter Zonta will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Harper throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zonta's waist but Zonta gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harper off to one side.
Harper with a poor takedown

and Zonta holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Zonta lands a takedown into guard.
Zonta with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zonta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zonta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Harper bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Zonta's guard.

Harper postures up.
Harper is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zonta is controlling Harper's posture.
Harper landing with the ground and pound.
Zonta trying to control the position.
Zonta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Harper is working Zonta over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zonta tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonta has Harper pulled in close to control his posture.
Harper throws a big right hand that misses.
Harper postures up in Zonta's guard and throws a big left but Zonta blocks it.
Zonta seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zonta has his hands on Harper's head, controlling the position.
Zonta continues to stall.
Zonta working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Harper.
Zonta looking for a sweep. Not yet Zonta, not yet.
Harper working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zonta's head.
Zonta looking to control.

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.
Zonta wants to sweep here but Harper controlling him for the moment.
Zonta looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Harper.
Sloppy strikes there by Harper.
Zonta is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Who's going to make the next move?
Harper scores with a couple of short elbows.
Zonta defending against the ground and pound.
Zonta takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zonta is trying to improve his position.
Harper landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Harper throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The strikes coming from Harper are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Harper tries to score with some ground and pound. Zonta controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Harper landing strikes.
Zonta tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Harper wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zonta is trying to control Harper's posture but Harper avoids it.
Zonta being controlled for a moment.
Harper in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Zonta takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Harper lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper works to advance to full mount. Zonta defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Zonta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Harper lands a big shot there that rocks Zonta but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Zonta squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Zonta tries to hold on but Harper postures up.
Zonta is looking to get to half guard.
Tom Harper has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harper working Zonta over with strikes here.

Harper is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zonta has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harper landing shots from mount.
Harper with good strikes from the mount here!
Harper prevents Zonta from getting the reversal.
Harper is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zonta can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Harper with shots to the head and body - Zonta looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice straight punches there by Zonta. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zonta.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zonta.
Harper tries to clinch up.
Harper fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zonta avoids it really well and circles away.
Zonta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Harper closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zonta did well to prevent Harper getting side control.
Zonta is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Harper is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Zonta is trying is best to control the position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Harper lands a nice short elbow.
Zonta keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Zonta is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Zonta wants to improve his position but Harper is controlling well.
Harper seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zonta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zonta avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Harper.
Zonta is looking to control Harper's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zonta avoid being mounted?
Harper slips a nice elbow through Zonta's hands, connecting with Zonta's forehead.
Harper not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zonta wants to improve his position but Harper is controlling well.
Zonta is controlling Harper's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Zonta wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper trying to control from half guard but Zonta is working away.
Zonta avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Harper.
Harper thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zonta's head.
Zonta wants to get back to his feet.
Harper missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Harper seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Harper is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zonta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Harper.
Zonta desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Zonta wants to control but Harper is keeping busy.
Zonta is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harper not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Harper working the head and body with strikes.
Zonta wants to sweep but Harper has passed to side control!
Harper throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Harper.
Harper working the ground and pound.
Harper lands an elbow.
Harper working the ground and pound.
Harper in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Harper looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zonta is avoiding damage well.
Zonta keeping his opponent close.
Zonta is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harper trying to control the action but Zonta is working from the bottom.
Harper throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Zonta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zonta pushes Harper away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Harper gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Zonta on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Zonta tries to bench press Harper off him but Harper keeps the position.
Harper trying to control the position but Zonta is working away.
Harper grinds an elbow into Zonta's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zonta wants to control but Harper postures up.
Harper lands some shots froms side control.
Harper tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Zonta is trying to improve his position.

Harper working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Harper dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zonta forces Harper back against the cage and clinches.
Zonta wants to stall.
Harper blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Harper can't get the takedown.
Zonta is pressed up against the cage. Harper has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zonta down to the mat. Zonta avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Zonta clinches up with Harper and pushes him back against the cage.
Zonta has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Harper avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Zonta gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Zonta's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Zonta's back!
Harper gets his hands free as Zonta looks to control.
Harper missing with punches from the back.
Zonta needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Zonta is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harper lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Zonta trying to control the hands but Harper breaks the grip.
Harper lands shots from the back.
Zonta trying to control but not successfully.
Harper connects with a big shot to the side of Zonta's head.
Zonta wants to escape the position.
Harper connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Zonta to escape the position.
Even with his hooks in, Harper manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Harper throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Zonta!
Harper struggling to land strikes to the head as Zonta covers up.

Harper is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Zonta is defending well though. Harper let's go of the attempt for now.
Zonta turns into Harper and is now in his guard.
Tom Harper is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harper 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Harper is on top in guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harper throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zonta controlling Harper's posture.
Harper postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Harper works over Zonta with some ground and pound from guard.
Zonta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Peter Zonta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harper makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Zonta managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Zonta.
Harper wants to pass the guard but Zonta is keeping the position.
Zonta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Harper content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Zonta has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Harper can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Harper trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harper with a nice head shot there.
Harper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Harper throwing strikes but missing.
Zonta keeping moving, preventing Harper from controlling successfully.
Zonta avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Zonta is looking for a triangle but Harper pushes his legs off easily.
Harper working some strikes from top position.
Zonta is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zonta looking for a sweep. Not yet Zonta, not yet.
Harper trying to control but Zonta is working from the bottom.
Zonta wants to stand up but Harper is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Harper shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zonta's guard.
Harper makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Harper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Harper has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 46:50
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Harper!
Tom Harper is the new welterweight champion!
Tom Harper decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.