PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zack Venum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Minotauro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Venum
vs
Minotauro

189 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zack Venum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Antonio Minotauro!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Venum misses with a takedown attempt

and Minotauro counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Venum!
Minotauro controlling his opponent.
Venum tries to reverse the position but Minotauro maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minotauro manages to capitalize on a mistake by Venum to take his back!
Good control from Minotauro.
Minotauro is hanging on to Venum's back as he tries to escape.
Venum is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Minotauro.
Minotauro is looking to control Venum but Venum is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's two 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.
Minotauro keeps control of the position easily here as Venum tries to buck him off.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Venum turns into Minotauro and is now in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venum is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Antonio Minotauro hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Minotauro drives through with a takedown into guard.
Minotauro wants to control from the top but Venum keeps moving.
Venum is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Venum keeping moving, preventing Minotauro from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Antonio Minotauro.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Venum prevents the takedown attempt.

Venum successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Venum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Minotauro dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Venum drives through with a takedown into Minotauro's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Venum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Minotauro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Venum trying to control the position from guard on top but Minotauro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Venum throws a strike but Minotauro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minotauro advances to half guard.
Venum trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Zack Venum.
Minotauro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Venum counters with a head kick. That will keep Minotauro thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Zack Venum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Minotauro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Venum counters with a takedown into side control.

Venum goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Minotauro has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Venum but great work by Minotauro.
Venum can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venum sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Minotauro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Venum!
Minotauro wants to control the pace but Venum is squirming around nicely.
Venum tries to hold on but Minotauro pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Venum reaches up to try and control the position but Minotauro seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Venum rolls and tries to escape and now Minotauro has his back!
Minotauro trying to control.
I really don't envy Venum right now.
Minotauro has good solid back control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Venum dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Venum moves into the clinch.
Venum controlling the action here for a moment.
Venum tries to break the clinch but Minotauro is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Venum gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Minotauro.

Venum has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Minotauro is trying to keep an underhook but Venum manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venum is trying to control the action in half guard but Minotauro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Minotauro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Minotauro wants to control but Venum is keeping busy.
Minotauro is not content to let Venum control the position.
Venum working Minotauro over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Venum is trying to work for a kimura but Minotauro is defending well.
Minotauro controlling the position for now.
Nice strikes from Venum there.
Venum not doing much here.
Minotauro moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venumis looking to pass into half guard but Minotauro pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Minotauro is in guard.
Venum throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Venum is looking to sweep but instead, Minotauro has passed into half guard.

Venum looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Minotauro controlling the action here.

Minotauro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Venum defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Venum showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Venum 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Venum!