PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zlatan Ibrahimovic (ranked 6955 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianluca Rossi (ranked 3471 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ibrahimovic
vs
Rossi

199 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Heavy handed

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zlatan Ibrahimovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gianluca Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibrahimovic misses with a few strikes there.
Rossi throws a counter combo.
Ibrahimovic swinging wildly here.
Ibrahimovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ibrahimovic misses with a few strikes there.
Rossi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Rossi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ibrahimovic.
Rossi throws out a counter right but Ibrahimovic avoids it with no problem.
Sloppy strikes from Ibrahimovic. Those never looked like landing.
Ibrahimovic tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi counters with a series of strikes. Ibrahimovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ibrahimovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi avoids them all with ease.
Rossi throws out a counter right but Ibrahimovic avoids it with no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Rossi to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rossi.
A little jabbing left from Rossi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch combination from Ibrahimovic misses.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a right hand to the body.
Ibrahimovic is breathing heavily.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Rossi throws out a counter right but Ibrahimovic avoids it with no problem.
Ibrahimovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Ibrahimovic.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a series of strikes. Ibrahimovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ibrahimovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rossi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a nice body shot.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Rossi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ibrahimovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ibrahimovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rossi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Despite the aggression on Rossi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Despite the aggression on Rossi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a straight right hand.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
No joy there for Ibrahimovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rossi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
letting Rossi counter with a right hand.
Ibrahimovic throws a right and a left that Rossi avoids nicely.
As Ibrahimovic backs off Rossi throws a huge counter combo but Ibrahimovic manages to avoid it all.
A combination from Ibrahimovic does no damage.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ibrahimovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ibrahimovic looks to land a combination but Rossi avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Rossi counter with a right hand.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi avoids them all with ease.
Ibrahimovic throws a nice looking combination but Rossi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Despite the aggression on Rossi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ibrahimovic misses with a wild combination.
A little jabbing left from Rossi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rossi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ibrahimovic had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab.
Rossi throws a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gianluca Rossi will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rossi! But no joy.
Ibrahimovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ibrahimovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ibrahimovic swinging wildly here.
Rossi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ibrahimovic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rossi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rossi slips a jab and a cross from Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibrahimovic throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Rossi to counter with a crisp jab.
Ibrahimovic throws a right and a left that Rossi avoids nicely.
A little jabbing left from Rossi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
letting Rossi counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Some wild striking there from Ibrahimovic.
Rossi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ibrahimovic with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Ibrahimovic does no damage.
Despite the aggression on Rossi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Ibrahimovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Ibrahimovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rossi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ibrahimovic misses with a two punch combination.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rossi should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ibrahimovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibrahimovic misses with a few strikes there.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibrahimovic misses with the combination.
Rossi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Ibrahimovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rossi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ibrahimovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rossi counters with a left to the body.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ibrahimovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ibrahimovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rossi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibrahimovic swinging wildly here.
Rossi unleashes a big counter combination but Ibrahimovic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
No joy there for Ibrahimovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.
Ibrahimovic misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Ibrahimovic does no damage.
It seemed like Rossi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibrahimovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rossi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rossi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Ibrahimovic.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a straight right hand.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi counters with a right hand to the body.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rossi.
Ibrahimovic misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
letting Rossi counter with a right hand.
Ibrahimovic tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ibrahimovic tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Ibrahimovic misses.
Ibrahimovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ibrahimovic tries to bum rush Rossi with a series of wild strikes but Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ibrahimovic throws a nice looking combination but Rossi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A combination from Ibrahimovic does no damage.
Despite the aggression on Rossi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Ibrahimovic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rossi! But no joy.
Ibrahimovic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ibrahimovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ibrahimovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic misses with the combination.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a series of strikes. Ibrahimovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Ibrahimovic misses.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibrahimovic misses with a two punch combination.
Rossi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ibrahimovic with a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi counters with a straight right hand.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rossi! But no joy.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi moves out of range.
Rossi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ibrahimovic with a body shot.
Ibrahimovic misses with the combination.
Rossi unleashes a big counter combination but Ibrahimovic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a nice uppercut.
Ibrahimovic misses with the combination.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi avoids them all with ease.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ibrahimovic throws a series of punches but Rossi moves out of range.
Rossi throws a counter combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a series of strikes. Ibrahimovic will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ibrahimovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rossi! But no joy.
Ibrahimovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rossi counters with a right hand to the body.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination that misses
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ibrahimovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Ibrahimovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ibrahimovic misses with the combination.
Rossi throws out a counter right but Ibrahimovic avoids it with no problem.
Ibrahimovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rossi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Ibrahimovic misses with a combination
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibrahimovic misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Ibrahimovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rossi slips a jab and a cross from Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibrahimovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rossi is looking for the big counter here.
Rossi slips a jab and a cross from Ibrahimovic.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ibrahimovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rossi.
It seemed like Rossi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ibrahimovic misses with a double jab
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.
Ibrahimovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rossi counters with a three punch combo that has Ibrahimovic backing up. Ibrahimovic nods at Rossi to acknowledge the strikes.
Ibrahimovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rossi circles away quickly and effectively.
Ibrahimovic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Rossi counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianluca Rossi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rossi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gianluca Rossi!
After winning the bout, Gianluca Rossi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.