PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bod Zio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arturo Gatti III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zio comes to the cage accompanied by Old Mcdonald had a farm. Gatti III has chosen Black Milk & Royce 5'9 - Losing out as his entrance music. Bod Zio had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Zio
vs
Gatti III

178 cm
29
145 lbs
19 - 9 - 2

172 cm
32
148 lbs
28 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

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 19 - 9 - 2, fighting out of London, Bod Zio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Arturo Gatti III!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Zio. That's going to slow Gatti III down.
A left lands for Zio.
Gatti III throws a leg kick that misses.
Gatti III throws an off balance right hand
and Zio counters with a solid body kick.
Gatti III throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gatti III misses the jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Zio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Zio throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Zio landing a few strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gatti III is trying to control Zio's posture but Zio avoids it.
Gatti III is looking to regain half guard here but Zio keeps moving and retains side control.
Zio wants to control but Gatti III is keeping him busy.
Gatti III avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Zio.
Zio working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Gatti III wants to improve his position but Zio is controlling well.
Gatti III wants to control but Zio is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zio thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Zio throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zio stops Gatti III from getting back to his feet.
Gatti III wants to improve his position but Zio is controlling well.
Gatti III works his way to full guard. Good work.
Zio is stalling in the full guard.
Gatti III is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zio postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zio slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III controls Zio momentarily but Zio frees himself.
Zio with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zio wants to pass the guard but Gatti III is keeping the position.
Zio trying to control but Gatti III is working from the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zio throwing strikes but missing.
Zio trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zio throws a leg kick which misses Gatti III's front leg but catches the back leg as Gatti III tries to avoid it.
Gatti III on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zio. Zio obviously looking to wear him down.
Gatti III fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gatti III takes a swing at Zio's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Zio to counter with a crisp jab.
Zio shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gatti III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gatti III walks into a left hand.
Zio dives in and grabs Gatti III's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gatti III pushes down on Zio's head and hops out.
Horrible takedown by Zio or perhaps it was just good defense by Gatti III which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bod Zio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zio dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zio jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gatti III uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zio has time to react.
Zio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gatti III will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zio throws a front kick aimed at Gatti III's knee but Gatti III avoids it well.
Donk. Gatti III catches Zio right on the button with a cross.
Gatti III slips a straight right by Zio.
Zio throws a leg kick but Gatti III sees it coming and moves out of range.
A jab from Zio does it's job there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good leg kick by Zio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gatti III keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gatti III slaps away a takedown attempt from Zio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gatti III throws a half hearted mid kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck for Zio with that takedown attempt.
Gatti III misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bod Zio dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gatti III throws a front kick aimed at Zio's knee but Zio avoids it well.
Zio fails with the takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zio. Gatti III does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zio thows a body shot but no joy.
Gatti III throws a leg kick but Zio sees it coming and moves out of range.

Zio looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gatti III controls Zio momentarily but Zio frees himself.
Gatti III avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Zio looking to pass the guard.
Gatti III can't keep his opponent in guard - Zio advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zio is keen to just control but Gatti III is a slippery customer.
Gatti III works his way to full guard. Good work.
Zio lands a couple of elbows.
Zio slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gatti III is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatti III is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Zio off and has taken his back!
Gatti III is not going to allow Zio to sit and survive in this position.
Will Gatti III go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Gatti III lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Zio hold on?!
Zio wants to control his opponent's hands but Gatti III gets his hands free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zio rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zio trying to control here.
Gatti III throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zio wants to control but Gatti III is keeping busy.
Zio wants to get back to full guard.
Zio has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gatti III working over Zio with some ground and pound. Zio looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Gatti III looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Zio has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gatti III is working away from the top position though.
Zio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gatti III scores with a couple of nice shots.

Zio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gatti III prevents Zio from improving his position.
Gatti III throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gatti III missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zio wants to control but Gatti III is keeping busy.
Zio moves into full guard.
Gatti III trying to control but Zio is working from the bottom.

Zio has his foot on Gatti III's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gatti III works his way back into a safe position though.

Zio is looking for a triangle here but Gatti III uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gatti III is looking to take a break and control but Zio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Zio's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zio manages to get back to half guard.
Zio tries to get to full guard but Gatti III has control of the leg.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zio looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gatti III lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gatti III working over Zio with some ground and pound. Zio looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
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 Bod Zio will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gatti III's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zio under the eye.
Zio with a hook.
Zio lands with a nice body punch.
Gatti III lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zio's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gatti III connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zio scrambles back to his feet.
Gatti III takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Zio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bod Zio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gatti III closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Zio's guard.
Gatti III wants to pass the guard but Zio is keeping the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zio is trying to control the position but Gatti III postures up.
Gatti III trying to control but Zio is working from the bottom.

Zio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Zio is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zio is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gatti III is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gatti III throws a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zio has his foot on Gatti III's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gatti III works his way back into a safe position though.
Gatti III postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zio has momentary wrist control but Gatti III slips an elbow through the middle.
Zio keeping moving, preventing Gatti III from controlling successfully.
Gatti III throws a big elbow that misses.
Zio keeping moving, preventing Gatti III from controlling successfully.

Zio throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gatti III escapes and throws Zio's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Zio is trying to control Gatti III's posture but Gatti III avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zio is looking to regain half guard here but Gatti III keeps moving and retains side control.
Gatti III working the ground and pound.
Bod Zio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zio tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Gatti III thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zio is looking to regain half guard here but Gatti III keeps moving and retains side control.
Gatti III lands an elbow.

Gatti III wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zio, who protects the arm well.
Gatti III trying to control the position but Zio is working away.
Gatti III working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III is chipping away with strikes.
Zio taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gatti III working away.
Gatti III working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Zio is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gatti III wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zio keeps working.
Gatti III lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gatti III slips a nice elbow through Zio's hands, connecting with Zio's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gatti III connects with a nice short shot to Zio's temple.
Zio is trying to get back to full guard.
Zio is trying to maintain the position but Gatti III is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Zio is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gatti III prevents Zio from improving his position.
Zio trying to control here.
Zio tries to get to full guard but Gatti III has control of the leg.
Zio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gatti III scores with a couple of nice shots.
Zio is trying to maintain the position but Gatti III is very close to passing his half guard.
Gatti III is trying to control the action in half guard but Zio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arturo Gatti III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Arturo Gatti III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zio 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bod Zio!
Bod Zio managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158, into his post fight interview.