PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Horato Muchada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianmarco Zaniboni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Muchada comes into the arena with Duran Duran - Ordinary World blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Muchada
vs
Zaniboni

180 cm
31
155 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

175 cm
27
149 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « ↑ DOUBLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Horato Muchada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Gianmarco Zaniboni!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muchada fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zaniboni checks it well.
Muchada connects with an inside leg kick.
Muchada misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Muchada lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Muchada checks a leg kick nicely.
Horato Muchada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muchada throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Zaniboni blocks a low kick nicely.
Zaniboni fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Muchada avoids it really well and circles away.
Muchada stuns Zaniboni with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Muchada misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice defenses there by Muchada.
Muchada throws a sloppy head kick and Zaniboni moves out of range easily.
Muchada lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Muchada tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaniboni paws at him with a jab and circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Zaniboni throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Muchada looks to land a combination. Zaniboni sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Muchada misses
enabling Zaniboni to counter with a crisp jab.
Muchada scoring well with a low kick there.
Muchada swings for the body but Zaniboni moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Zaniboni.
Muchada thows a body shot but no joy.
Zaniboni throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zaniboni thows a body shot but no joy.
Zaniboni keeps the fight on the outside.
Muchada scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Muchada tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Zaniboni manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Muchada misses with a right hand

so Zaniboni counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!

Muchada has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Zaniboni is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Muchada.
An elbow from Zaniboni crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni advances nicely into full mount.
Zaniboni sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Muchada tries to lock up and control but Zaniboni gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaniboni throwing strikes here but Muchada is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Muchada is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Muchada avoids a series of strikes thrown by Zaniboni.

Zaniboni swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Muchada is now in Zaniboni's guard. A big mistake from Zaniboni there, giving up the dominant position!
Muchada is looking to stand up but Zaniboni won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaniboni trying to control the position.
Zaniboni looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Muchada stands up from Zaniboni's guard - Muchada perhaps looking for a knockout.
Muchada tries to clinch there but Zaniboni circles away.
A low kick from Muchada misses
and Zaniboni counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaniboni tries to score with a low kick but Muchada moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muchada.
Muchada takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Muchada has managed to clinch.
Zaniboni prevents a body shot from Muchada.
Muchada lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zaniboni digs a right hand underneath Muchada's ribcage. Muchada let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Muchada misses with a punch to the body.
Zaniboni lands a body shot.
Muchada swings wildly with an uppercut but Zaniboni uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zaniboni is looking for a takedown.
Zaniboni tries to break free but Muchada pushes him back against the cage.
Muchada with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Muchada tries to land a knee to the head but Zaniboni blocks with his arms.
Zaniboni is trying to drag Muchada to the mat but Muchada just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Horato Muchada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gianmarco Zaniboni.
Zaniboni wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Muchada has him pressed against the cage.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni lands a left hand that snaps the head of Muchada backwards.
Nice body punch from Zaniboni.
Muchada with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Zaniboni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good standup being displayed there by Zaniboni as he connects with a hook.
Horato Muchada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some bone on bone action there as Zaniboni checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Muchada moves in looking to clinch but Zaniboni pushes him off.
Muchada shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Muchada lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Muchada throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Muchada tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaniboni takes a swing at Muchada's ribcage but misses.

Zaniboni shoots in and gets a takedown into Muchada's guard.
Zaniboni missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Muchada looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Zaniboni puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaniboni wants to pass to mount but Muchada is defending the position.
Muchada is looking for a sweep. Zaniboni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Muchada is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zaniboni scores with a couple of nice shots.
Zaniboni missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Muchada blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zaniboni.
Muchada avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni wants to pass to mount but Muchada is defending the position.
Zaniboni takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zaniboni has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Muchada wants to improve his position but Zaniboni is controlling well.
Zaniboni is looking to pass Muchada's guard but actually Muchada recovers to full guard.
Zaniboni wants to pass the guard but Muchada is keeping the position.
Muchada manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zaniboni manages to get himself to full guard.

Zaniboni is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Muchada is aware though and is defending well.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaniboni, not yet.
Zaniboni keeping moving, preventing Muchada from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zaniboni is on top in guard.
Muchada pulls Zaniboni in close to prevent any damage.
Zaniboni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Muchada is keeping the position for now.

Zaniboni has gone for a leg lock! Muchada slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zaniboni's guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Muchada stopping the sweep attempt from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni keeping full guard, as Muchada tries to pass.
Zaniboni is trying to control the position but Muchada postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Muchada sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Muchada won't allow Zaniboni to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Muchada attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Muchada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muchada lands a nice looking kick to the body. Zaniboni takes a step back to recover.
Muchada takes a swing at Zaniboni's ribcage but misses.
Muchada on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zaniboni. Zaniboni obviously looking to wear him down.
Muchada lands with a hook. Zaniboni tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zaniboni ducks under a wild hook from Muchada.
Muchada walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zaniboni checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Muchada moves in looking to clinch but Zaniboni pushes him off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zaniboni.
Zaniboni working the ground and pound but Muchada is defending the strikes.
Zaniboni throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Muchada works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaniboni is looking for a kimura but Muchada is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zaniboni to get the leverage.

Zaniboni is trying to work for a kimura but Muchada is defending well.
Muchada tries to get to full guard but Zaniboni has control of the leg.
Gianmarco Zaniboni has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zaniboni is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Muchada doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zaniboni.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni throwing shots but Muchada is blocking nicely.
Zaniboni scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Muchada is looking for a sweep. Zaniboni is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zaniboni wants to pass the guard but Muchada is defending well.
Muchada blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zaniboni.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muchada is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Muchada wants to get back to full guard.
Zaniboni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zaniboni not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zaniboni tries to pass the half guard into mount. Muchada knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muchada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zaniboni is working away from the top position though.
Zaniboni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Muchada avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Zaniboni looks to land a strike but Muchada avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Muchada is trying to control the position but Zaniboni postures up.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni tries to free his leg and advance position but Muchada is retaining full guard.
Zaniboni throwing strikes from guard but Muchada blocks nicely.

Muchada has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Zaniboni off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Good exchange - Muchada coming out on top.
Muchada pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zaniboni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaniboni. Muchada does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaniboni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muchada moves away.
Zaniboni misses with a body punch
and Muchada counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zaniboni thuds a left hand into Muchada's body.
Zaniboni gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Muchada wants to clinch up but Zaniboni keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Zaniboni or perhaps it was just good defense by Muchada which made him look bad.
Muchada bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zaniboni ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zaniboni shoots in for a double leg but Muchada sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Muchada tries to close the distance and clinch but Zaniboni swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zaniboni looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Muchada lands a lovely overhand right.
Muchada throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Horato Muchada is winning the standup battle so far.
Muchada motions for Zaniboni to come forward. Muchada throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the body from Muchada misses
and Zaniboni counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Muchada throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Zaniboni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Muchada.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni digs a good hook to Muchada's body.
Zaniboni scores with a nice right hand.
Muchada takes a swing at Zaniboni's ribcage but misses.
Muchada throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zaniboni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Muchada wants to clinch up but Zaniboni keeps it at a distance.
Muchada swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Zaniboni wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Muchada throws a sloppy head kick and Zaniboni moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zaniboni throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Muchada connects with a leg kick. Zaniboni looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Muchada takes a swing at Zaniboni's ribcage but misses.
Zaniboni thows a body shot but no joy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Muchada will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zaniboni jabs Muchada right on the nose. Muchada blinks but takes it well.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Muchada.
Muchada throws a nice inside leg kick.
A low kick from Muchada is predictable there
and Zaniboni counters with a thumping low kick.
Muchada moves away from the strike by Zaniboni.
Zaniboni lands with a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Muchada checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Muchada.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Muchada - that will leave a mark!
Zaniboni moves into range and connects with a jab.
An inside leg kick from Muchada misses.
Zaniboni throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni looks to score with a jab to the body but Muchada is just out of range.
Muchada throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zaniboni blocks a low kick nicely.
Muchada misses with a straight right.
Muchada motions for Zaniboni to come forward. Muchada throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zaniboni is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Muchada rather than just go for the knockout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Muchada.
Zaniboni connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Muchada momentarily.
Muchada uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Muchada blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Zaniboni throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Zaniboni scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zaniboni throwing strikes but Muchada manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Muchada stands up and beckons Zaniboni to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gianmarco Zaniboni will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Muchada pushes Zaniboni up against the cage in a clinch.
Zaniboni's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Muchada has Zaniboni pushed against the cage.
Muchada misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Zaniboni.
Muchada avoids the elbow strike from Zaniboni, against the cage.
Zaniboni lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Zaniboni fails to land.
Zaniboni misses with a body punch.
Muchada blocks a body shot from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni lands with a short shot to the head.
Zaniboni avoids a wild elbow strike from Muchada.
Muchada is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Muchada looking to throw knees to the head but Zaniboni is blocking nicely.
Muchada throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zaniboni blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaniboni blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zaniboni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muchada using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Muchada tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zaniboni avoids it.
Zaniboni struggles to land a body shot inside as Muchada controls his hands.
Muchada misses with the head strike.
Muchada struggles to land a body shot inside as Zaniboni controls his hands.
Muchada is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Muchada throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short left from Muchada.
A short uppercut from Muchada.
Muchada tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zaniboni avoids it.
Muchada dodges an elbow strike from Zaniboni.
Zaniboni works on Muchada's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaniboni.
Zaniboni avoiding damage as Muchada throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Zaniboni.
Gianmarco Zaniboni seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Zaniboni pulls guard successfully.
Zaniboni is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zaniboni trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Zaniboni has an active guard here but Muchada has managed to pass into half guard.
Zaniboni wants to get back to full guard.
Zaniboni is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muchada slows the pace down in half guard.
Zaniboni moves into full guard.

Zaniboni looking for subs off his back but Muchada has passed one foot through into half guard.
Zaniboni works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Muchada wants to stand but Zaniboni is controlling his posture from full guard.
Zaniboni doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Zaniboni tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zaniboni is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Zaniboni has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Muchada is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zaniboni.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Muchada trying to control the position but Zaniboni is working away.
Zaniboni gets back to half guard.
Zaniboni wants to control but Muchada is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zaniboni is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Muchada jumps into side control!
Muchada gets to mount! Zaniboni was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Muchada can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zaniboni is looking to escape.
Zaniboni is desperately trying to improve his position but Muchada has a good base and remains in mount.
Zaniboni is trying to reverse the position but instead Muchada has taken his back - oops!
A lull in the action here.
Zaniboni is in bad spot here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Muchada is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
You can see the frustration on Zaniboni's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Zaniboni manages to reverse the position and now he's in Muchada's guard. Nice work there by Zaniboni.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Zaniboni has gone for a leg lock! Muchada slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zaniboni's guard.
Zaniboni not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zaniboni wants to sweep here but Muchada controlling him for the moment.

Zaniboni isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Muchada stacks Zaniboni on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Muchada!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Zaniboni tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Zaniboni keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Muchada get's back to his feet.
Muchada steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaniboni.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Muchada lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zaniboni has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zaniboni and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck for Zaniboni with that takedown attempt.
Muchada is looking to score with low kicks.
Zaniboni uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Muchada.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gianmarco Zaniboni.
I've got Zaniboni winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Gianmarco Zaniboni!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Gianmarco Zaniboni!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Gianmarco Zaniboni!

Gianmarco Zaniboni wins by unanimous decision!
Gianmarco Zaniboni very nearly forgot to thank [CBK] The Smashwear Corporation amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.