PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Batistuta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mizo Samxona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batistuta's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Deftones - You've Seen The Butcher. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Batistuta
vs
Samxona

182 cm
33
205 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

192 cm
29
212 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Carlos Batistuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mizo Samxona!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Batistuta blocks the low kick.
Batistuta throws a nice looking combination but Samxona bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Batistuta throws a nice inside leg kick.
Samxona connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Batistuta momentarily.
Samxona throws a hook to the side of Batistuta's head but Batistuta sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Batistuta dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Samxona. That did some damage!
Samxona moves out of range of the strikes.
Samxona rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Batistuta counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Batistuta feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Samxonas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Samxona 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.
Samxona walks into a straight right hand from Batistuta.
Samxona lands an overhand right.
Batistuta staying out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Samxona tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Batistuta was well out of range. Poor timing from Samxona.
Samxona scores with a jab to the head.
Batistuta throws out a powerful jab.
Samxona throws a hook to the side of Batistuta's head but Batistuta sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Batistuta shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Samxona defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samxona swats away the attempt to clinch by Batistuta.
Batistuta waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Samxona.

Batistuta has managed to clinch.
Batistuta lands with a light punch inside.
Samxona prevents a takedown attempt there.
Samxona wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Samxona breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samxona lands with a shot to the body.
Batistuta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Samxona.
Samxona pivots, looking for a leg kick but Batistuta is out of range and Samxona settles back down.

Batistuta has closed the distance and engaged Samxona in a clinch.
Batistuta just leaning against Samxona, taking a breather.
Batistuta gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Samxona.
Batistuta misses with a punch to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Batistuta has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samxona has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Batistuta.
Samxona has had enough of the clinch but Batistuta keeps him there for the moment.

Batistuta has hold of one of Samxona's legs. Samxona is fighting the takedown attempt but Batistuta gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batistuta scoring with punches to the head and body.
Batistuta controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Batistuta is in close to Samxona's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Batistuta won't allow Samxona to sweep him here.
Batistuta sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Batistuta is looking to work some ground and pound but Samxona has wrist control.
Batistuta makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Batistuta with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Samxona swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Batistuta throws a big right hand that misses.
Batistuta is looking to work some ground and pound but Samxona has wrist control.
Batistuta tries to free his leg and advance position but Samxona is retaining full guard.
Batistuta throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Batistuta wants to control from the top but Samxona keeps moving.
Batistuta lands a couple of elbows.

Samxona has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Batistuta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Batistuta scoring with punches to the head and body.
Batistuta wants to control from the top but Samxona keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Batistuta sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batistuta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Batistuta postures up and lands a big shot to Samxona's brow.

Samxona is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Batistuta throwing strikes but missing.
Batistuta working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Samxona avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Batistuta sitting in guard here, content to control.
Samxona wants to stand but Batistuta is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Batistuta dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Batistuta takes the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Batistuta on the inside.

Samxona's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batistuta needs to keep his hands up - Samxona had a free shot at his head there.
Samxona just misses with a punch to the body.
Batistuta digs a good hook to Samxona's body.
A big left from Batistuta misses.
Batistuta looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Batistuta plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Batistuta fails to land the takedown.
Samxona dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Samxona. That snapped Batistuta's head back.

It looks like Carlos Batistuta has been cut.
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!
Samxona takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samxona scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Samxona cracks Batistuta with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Samxona moves out of range of the leg kick from Batistuta.
Samxona has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Batistuta's jab looks to have found its range, popping Samxona under the eye.
An inside leg kick from Samxona misses.
Samxona works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Samxona takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Batistuta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Samxona can do to turn this around?
Batistuta finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Batistuta dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Samxona tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Batistuta was well out of range. Poor timing from Samxona.
Batistuta throws a solid leg kick but Samxona takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Batistuta.
Batistuta lands a glancing blow to the side of Samxona's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Samxona misses the target.
Samxona lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batistuta slips under a jab from Samxona.
Batistuta slips under a jab from Samxona.
Batistuta is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Samxona.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta throws a front kick aimed at Samxona's knee but Samxona avoids it well.
Batistuta thumps Samxona with a low kick.
Batistuta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Samxona throws a leg kick

and Batistuta moves into the clinch.
Batistuta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Samxona backwards.

Batistuta manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Samxona controls from within his opponent's guard.
Batistuta wants to sweep here but Samxona controlling him for the moment.
Samxona trying to control but Batistuta is working from the bottom.
Batistuta is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Samxona lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta is pulling down on Samxona's head. It's preventing any offense from Samxona, at least for the moment.

Samxona avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Batistuta keeping moving, preventing Samxona from controlling successfully.
Samxona postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Batistuta keeping moving, preventing Samxona from controlling successfully.
Samxona postures up.
Batistuta is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Batistuta looking for a guillotine here but Samxona defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Samxona postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Batistuta is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Batistuta looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Batistuta trying to keep a closed guard but Samxona is proving a slippery customer.
Samxona trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Batistuta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Samxona is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Batistuta throws a shot from downtown. Samxona moves away and avoids it.
Batistuta has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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 Carlos Batistuta will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carlos Batistuta's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Samxona bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Carlos Batistuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Samxona misses.
Batistuta wants to land a leg kick but Samxona is out of range.
Samxona scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Samxona throws a body shot but no joy.
Samxona misses with a two punch combination.
Batistuta throws a head kick that Samxona semi-blocks.
Batistuta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samxona.
Samxona throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Samxona misses the shot to the body.
Samxona misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batistuta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Samxona.
Batistuta seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Batistuta scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Batistuta slips under a jab.
Samxona lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Samxona lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Batistuta circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batistuta cracks the inside of Samxona's front leg.
Samxona lands a jab-cross combination.
Batistuta ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Samxona thows a left - swing and a miss!
Batistuta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Samxona manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Batistuta closes the distance and clinches.
Samxona has had enough of the clinch but Batistuta keeps him there for the moment.
Samxona wants to break the clinch but can't.

Batistuta pulls guard.
Samxona looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Batistuta looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Batistuta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta keeping moving, preventing Samxona from controlling successfully.
Batistuta seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Samxona won't allow Batistuta to sweep him here.
Samxona looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Samxona missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Batistuta seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Batistuta is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Samxona defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samxona wants to control from the top but Batistuta keeps moving.
Samxona pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Batistuta is keeping the position for now.
Batistuta manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Samxona manages to get himself to full guard.

Batistuta 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.
Batistuta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Batistuta looking to pass the guard.
Batistuta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Batistuta throws a strike but Samxona rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Samxona is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta wants to sweep here but Samxona controlling him for the moment.
Samxona throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Samxona content to stall in guard here.

Batistuta has his foot on Samxona's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Samxona works his way back into a safe position though.
Samxona is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Batistuta wants to sweep here but Samxona controlling him for the moment.

Batistuta is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Samxona tries to free his leg and advance position but Batistuta is retaining full guard.
Mizo Samxona has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Batistuta is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mizo Samxona comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Batistuta has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Batistuta!
Carlos Batistuta decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.