PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Igor Zanta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mattize Grovinsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Zanta has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Zanta
vs
Grovinsky

209 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Igor Zanta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mattize Grovinsky!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zanta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grovinsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zanta moves in looking to clinch but Grovinsky pushes him off.
Zanta tries to clinch up but Grovinsky circles away and keeps his distance.
Zanta tries to clinch but Grovinsky moves out of range.
Grovinsky swinging wildly here.
Zanta slips a jab and a cross from Grovinsky.
Zanta wants to clinch up but Grovinsky keeps it at a distance.
Zanta tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Grovinsky counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zanta closes the distance but Grovinsky moves to the side
and Grovinsky counters with a two punch combo.
A right-left combo lands from Grovinsky.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body kick from Grovinsky.
Zanta tries to clinch there but Grovinsky circles away.

Zanta moves into the clinch successfully.
Zanta throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zanta just misses with a elbow thrown towards Grovinsky's brow.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Zanta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grovinsky blocks it with crossed arms.
Grovinsky has had enough of the clinch but Zanta keeps him there for the moment.
Zanta gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zanta throws an elbow but misses.
Zanta gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Zanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanta lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Zanta.
Grovinsky has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Grovinsky pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Igor Zanta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zanta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Grovinsky manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zanta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sloppy strikes from Grovinsky. Those never looked like landing.
Grovinsky misses with a jab, cross combination.
Grovinsky throws a series of punches but Zanta avoids them all with ease.
Grovinsky misses with a wild combination.
Zanta tries to clinch up
and Grovinsky counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanta is looking to clinch but Grovinsky is avoiding it.
Some wild striking there from Grovinsky.
Zanta closes the distance looking to clinch
and Grovinsky counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Grovinsky throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zanta.
Grovinsky avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zanta wants to clinch.
Zanta really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zanta tries to clinch but Grovinsky moves away
and Grovinsky counters with a one-two to the body.
Zanta is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grovinsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.
Grovinsky tries to break free but Zanta pushes him back against the cage.
Zanta comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Grovinsky dodges an elbow strike from Zanta.
Zanta creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Grovinsky's defenses.
Zanta lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Mattize Grovinsky has been cut.
Grovinsky takes an elbow to the forehead.
Grovinsky looks gassed!
Zanta lands an elbow that stopped Grovinsky in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zanta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zanta with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Grovinsky breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Zanta dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mattize Grovinsky's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zanta wants to clinch.
Zanta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grovinsky.
Zanta tries to clinch
and Grovinsky counters with a series of strikes. Zanta will be more careful next time no doubt.
Grovinsky misses with a two punch combination.
Zanta fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grovinsky throws a right and a left that Zanta avoids nicely.
Zanta moves in looking to clinch but Grovinsky pushes him off.
Zanta tries to clinch but Grovinsky is having none of it.

Zanta drives through and clinches with Grovinsky against the cage.
Zanta tries a knee to the head but Grovinsky blocks it.
Grovinsky blocks an elbow strike from Zanta.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanta with a knee to the head.
Grovinsky dodges an elbow strike from Zanta.
Zanta misses with a knee to the head.
Zanta has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Zanta misses with a knee strike.
Zanta throws an elbow that misses.
Grovinsky is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Grovinsky looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Grovinsky takes an elbow to the temple.
Grovinsky avoids a wild elbow strike from Zanta.
Zanta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Igor Zanta has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters up against the cage, Zanta throws an elbow but misses.
Zanta pushes off an throws an elbow but Grovinsky leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zanta pushes off an throws an elbow but Grovinsky leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanta lands an elbow inside.
Grovinsky takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zanta misses with an elbow strike.
Zanta keeps control of Grovinsky as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.
Grovinsky blocks an elbow strike.
Zanta throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zanta tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Zanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Zanta misses with an elbow strike.
Grovinsky blocks the elbow strike.
Grovinsky wants to break free but Zanta has control.
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!
Grovinsky blocks the elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grovinsky's efforts to push away.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.
Zanta tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Zanta.
Zanta with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zanta using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grovinsky has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zanta misses with an elbow strike.
Zanta keeps control of Grovinsky as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zanta prevents Grovinsky from breaking the clinch.
Zanta looking to throw knees to the head but Grovinsky is blocking nicely.
Zanta misses with an elbow strike.

Grovinsky's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grovinsky lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zanta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grovinsky throws a series of punches but Zanta moves out of range.
Grovinsky displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Zanta looks to clinch
and Zanta takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zanta wants to clinch but Grovinsky slips to the side
and Grovinsky counters with a one-two to the body.
Grovinsky avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grovinsky misses with a wild combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zanta tries to clinch there but Grovinsky circles away.
Zanta tries to clinch there but Grovinsky circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Zanta dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mattize Grovinsky'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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Grovinsky keeps the fight on the outside.
Zanta takes a jab right on the kisser.
Zanta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zanta moves in looking to clinch but Grovinsky pushes him off.
Zanta is looking to clinch but Grovinsky is avoiding it.
Zanta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zanta wants to clinch.
Zanta tries to clinch
and Grovinsky counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Grovinsky misses with a few strikes there.
Grovinsky jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Zanta takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Zanta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grovinsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grovinsky tries to bum rush Zanta with a series of wild strikes but Zanta uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zanta tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Grovinsky counters with a two punch combo.
Mattize Grovinsky seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zanta doesn't manage to clinch there - Grovinsky circles away.
Zanta tries to clinch up but Grovinsky circles away and keeps his distance.
Zanta fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grovinsky swats away the attempt to clinch by Zanta.
Zanta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grovinsky swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zanta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Grovinsky paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grovinsky lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Zanta backs up against the cage.
Igor Zanta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Zanta instigates a clinch.
Grovinsky avoids the elbow strike from Zanta, against the cage.
Zanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Grovinsky is trying to break the clinch but Zanta is controlling him.
Zanta with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Zanta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Grovinsky avoids a wild elbow strike from Zanta.
Zanta lands a damaging elbow.
Zanta tries a knee to the head but Grovinsky blocks it.
Zanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Grovinsky avoids a wild elbow strike from Zanta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanta gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Grovinsky dodges an elbow strike from Zanta.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Zanta landing knees to the head.
Zanta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grovinsky's efforts to push away.
Zanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Zanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Zanta lands a damaging elbow.
Grovinsky is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zanta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Zanta tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zanta lands an elbow inside.
Grovinsky working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grovinsky blocks the elbow strike.
Zanta looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Zanta keeps control of Grovinsky as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zanta tries to land a knee to the head but Grovinsky blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grovinsky can't break the clinch.
Zanta tries to land a knee to the head but Grovinsky blocks with his arms.
Grovinsky wants to get back to striking at distance but Zanta won't allow it.
Zanta throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zanta with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grovinsky blocks an elbow strike from Zanta.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grovinsky tries to circle away but Zanta has him pinned against the cage.

Grovinsky manages to break the clinch.
Mattize Grovinsky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Igor Zanta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zanta tries to clinch but Grovinsky moves away
and Grovinsky counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Zanta showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zanta, 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Zanta!