PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marc Zietsch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sanji Sanpun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanpun has chosen Snacktime - Barenaked Ladies as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Marc Zietsch is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Zietsch
vs
Sanpun

166 cm
29
147 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

178 cm
29
157 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marc Zietsch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sanji Sanpun!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanpun is looking to clinch.
Sanpun is looking to chop away at Zietsch's legs.
Sanpun misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zietsch.
Sanpun keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zietsch.
Sanpun tries to counter by closing the distance.
The fighters circling - Zietsch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've been told by Zietsch's head coaches at THC playhouse that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Sanpun throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zietsch was covering up waiting for the punch and Sanpun finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanpun trying to control the position from guard on top but Zietsch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sanpun's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanpun stays in close to Zietsch's body and controls the position.
Zietsch keeping moving, preventing Sanpun from controlling successfully.
Sanpun wants to pass the guard but Zietsch is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zietsch 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.
Sanpun tries to free his leg and advance position but Zietsch is retaining full guard.
Zietsch is controlling Sanpun's posture.
Sanpun missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Zietsch is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanpun bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zietsch misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sanpun misses with a looping left.
Zietsch avoids the body shot from Sanpun.

Sanpun shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun trying to control but Zietsch is working from the bottom.
Sanpun pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zietsch is keeping the position for now.
Sanpun works over Zietsch with some ground and pound from guard.
Zietsch seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sanpun throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanpun wants to control from the top but Zietsch keeps moving.
Sanpun throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Zietsch keeping moving, preventing Sanpun from controlling successfully.
Zietsch is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun throws a wild body kick that Zietsch sees coming a mile off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sanpun.
Sanpun throwing strikes but Zietsch manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sanpun is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Sanpun's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zietsch in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Sanpun sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Zietsch controlling the pace.
Zietsch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanpun keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zietsch is looking for a kimura but Sanpun is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zietsch to get the leverage.
Ground and pound from Zietsch.
Zietsch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sanpun makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanpun.
Zietsch trying to control but Sanpun is working from the bottom.
Zietsch forces his way into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sanpun is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sanji Sanpun dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sanpun on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Some wild striking there from Zietsch.
Zietsch checks the leg kick nicely there.
A jab lands there for Zietsch.
A lazy body kick from Sanpun
and Zietsch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sanpun steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zietsch.
Sanji Sanpun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zietsch lands with a nice combination. Sanpun backs away looking to recover.
Zietsch takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sanpun wants to clinch up but Zietsch keeps it at a distance.
Zietsch misses the body punch
and Sanpun counters with a nice uppercut.
Sanpun pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sanpun throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Zietsch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zietsch connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanpun. Sanpun circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zietsch takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zietsch connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanpun. Sanpun circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sanpun needs to keep his hands up - Zietsch had a free shot at his head there.
Sanpun tries to clinch but Zietsch moves out of range.
Sanpun looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Marc Zietsch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanpun swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zietsch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanpun swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Zietsch.
Sanpun tries to clinch but Zietsch moves out of range.
Sanpun takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sanpun tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zietsch swivels and escapes.
Sanpun fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zietsch avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanpun dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zietsch shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sanpun eats them both and turns towards Zietsch to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun moves out of range of the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanpun tries to work over Zietsch's front leg with a kick but Zietsch checks it.
Zietsch lands with a cross.

Sanpun feints and as Zietsch raises his hands in defense, Sanpun changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sanpun wants to control from the top but Zietsch keeps moving.
Sanpun prevents Zietsch from getting back to his feet.
Sanpun throws a big elbow that misses.
Sanpun missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanji Sanpun has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sanpun postures up in Zietsch's guard and throws a big left but Zietsch blocks it.
Zietsch has his hands on Sanpun's head, controlling the position.
Zietsch keeping moving, preventing Sanpun from controlling successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marc Zietsch is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Zietsch finds it's way through Sanpun's defenses.
Zietsch on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Zietsch avoids a kick to the body.
Sanpun checks a leg kick.
Sanpun feints and then cracks Zietsch's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zietsch down.
Sanpun tries to clinch but Zietsch moves out of range.
It looked like Zietsch wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sanpun throws a body shot but no joy.
Sanpun chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zietsch can pounce on him.
Sanpun's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zietsch connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sanpun scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Zietsch does it's job there.
Sanpun moves forwards but Zietsch connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zietsch cracks Sanpun with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zietsch takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sanpun is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Zietsch rather than just go for the knockout.
Zietsch feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sanpun's calf.
Sanpun with a nice cross.

Sanpun dives in and scores a takedown into Zietsch's guard.
Zietsch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanpun trying to control the position from guard on top but Zietsch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanpun scoring with punches to the head and body.

Zietsch working for a triangle but Sanpun defends it easily.
Zietsch is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Zietsch dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sanpun slips under a jab from Zietsch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zietsch.
Zietsch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sanpun looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sanpun dives in and grabs Zietsch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zietsch pushes down on Sanpun's head and hops out.
Sanpun throws a body punch but Zietsch moves out of range.
Zietsch dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sanpun. That did some damage!
Sanpun tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zietsch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zietsch drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sanpun sprawls and moves away.
Zietsch goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Sanji Sanpun has been cut.
Zietsch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sanpun looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sanpun keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanpun moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sanpun will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zietsch looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Zietsch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sanpun flicks out a counter leg kick but Zietsch steps away.
Sanpun tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zietsch manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sanpun misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zietsch changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zietsch throws out a loose jab but Sanpun uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zietsch throws a left and a right that both miss

and Sanpun counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sanpun.
Zietsch is trying to break the clinch but Sanpun is controlling him.
Sanpun misses with a punch to the body.
Sanpun creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sanpun tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zietsch trying to control the position but instead, Sanpun has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zietsch into the cage.
Sanpun tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zietsch's elbow.

Zietsch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanpun tries to clinch up but Zietsch circles away and keeps his distance.
Zietsch throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zietsch takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Zietsch scores with a jab.
Sanpun throws a right and a left that Zietsch avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch throws a sloppy head kick
and Sanpun counters with a leg kick.
Zietsch lands a jab to the nose.
Sanpun lands a head shot.
Zietsch misses the jab.
Sanpun has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A swing and a miss from Zietsch.
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!
Sanpun uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zietsch.
Zietsch loads up on a big right hand but Sanpun slips the punch.
Sanpun misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zietsch.
Zietsch feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Sanpun blocks the low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sanpun looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd cheers as Sanpun lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zietsch doesn't seem phased though.
Sanpun tries to land a leg kick but Zietsch saw it coming and moves away.
Sanpun looks to score with a jab to the body but Zietsch is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sanpun.
A head kick by Sanpun misses
and Zietsch counters with a stiff right hand.
Sanpun moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zietsch clobbers Sanpun with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Zietsch throws a push kick but Sanpun slaps the foot to one side.
Sanpun shoots in for a double leg but Zietsch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Marc Zietsch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sanji Sanpun.
Sanpun takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanpun misses with a series of wild punches.
Zietsch 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.
Sanpun tries to clinch up.
Sanpun just misses with a punch to the body.
Zietsch thinks about countering with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by Zietsch. Beautiful body shot.
Zietsch tries a head kick but it misses.
Zietsch lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Zietsch slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Sanpun.
A cross from Sanpun lands.
Sanpun looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zietsch is fending him off so far but Sanpun persists. Nope, Zietsch circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanpun takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sanpun is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zietsch sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zietsch misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zietsch looks for a takedown but Sanpun sprawls well.
Zietsch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sanpun fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanpun swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zietsch scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zietsch moves out of range as Sanpun strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marc Zietsch showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zietsch 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marc Zietsch!
Our winner, Marc Zietsch, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.