PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kristaps Zutis (ranked 3323 p4p, 358 weight class) and Frederick Hornfellow Iii (ranked 3158 p4p, 347 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zutis
vs
Hornfellow Iii

202 cm
26
191 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

192 cm
25
192 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kristaps Zutis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frederick Hornfellow Iii!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zutis shoots in but Hornfellow Iii avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zutis shoots and misses
and Hornfellow Iii counters with a nice uppercut.
Zutis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hornfellow Iii is fending him off so far but Zutis persists. Nope, Hornfellow Iii circles away and we're back to standing.
Hornfellow Iii has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kristaps Zutis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zutis misses with a takedown
and Hornfellow Iii counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zutis doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hornfellow Iii cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hornfellow Iii throws out a powerful jab.
Hornfellow Iii throws a hook but Zutis avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good exchange - Hornfellow Iii coming out on top.

Hornfellow Iii instigates a clinch.
Hornfellow Iii stalling against the cage.
Hornfellow Iii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zutis really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii is struggling to control the position.
Hornfellow Iii gets underhooks to prevent Zutis's takedown attempt.
Zutis blocks a body shot from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii works on Zutis's body with a couple of short punches.
Hornfellow Iii softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hornfellow Iii holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Zutis has been working on his balance at The Kegerator - 650$, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Hornfellow Iii.

Zutis manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Zutis throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Zutis doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hornfellow Iii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Zutis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hornfellow Iii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hornfellow Iii must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but Zutis has wrist control.
Hornfellow Iii trying to control but Zutis is working from the bottom.
Hornfellow Iii throwing strikes from guard but Zutis blocks nicely.
Zutis looking for a sweep. Not yet Zutis, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hornfellow Iii loads up on a big right hand but Zutis slips the punch.

Hornfellow Iii closes the distance and pushes Zutis back into the cage.
A short right from Hornfellow Iii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii lands a hook that snaps the head of Zutis backwards.
Hornfellow Iii lands a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Hornfellow Iii scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hornfellow Iii throws a head punch that misses.
Zutis is trying to pull guard but Hornfellow Iii turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hornfellow Iii throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zutiss head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii throws a head punch that misses.
Zutis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hornfellow Iii gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hornfellow Iii pushes Zutis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zutis blocks an uppercut.
Zutis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hornfellow Iii lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hornfellow Iii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zutis can't get the takedown.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zutis backwards.
Hornfellow Iii misses with a punch on the inside.
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!
The referee calls for Hornfellow Iii to work.
Hornfellow Iii lands a left hand.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hornfellow Iii scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zutis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hornfellow Iii is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A short uppercut from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zutis backwards.
Hornfellow Iii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hornfellow Iii lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zutis.
A head punch on the inside from Hornfellow Iii fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frederick Hornfellow Iii dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zutis fails with a takedown attempt.
Zutis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hornfellow Iii.
Zutis has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kristaps Zutis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hornfellow Iii defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zutis.
Hornfellow Iii misses with a straight left.
Hornfellow Iii moves into range and connects with a jab.
Zutis slips a straight right by Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hornfellow Iii forces Zutis back against the cage and clinches.
Hornfellow Iii tries to work over Zutis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hornfellow Iii misses with a punch on the inside.
Zutis avoiding damage as Hornfellow Iii throws knees to the body.
Hornfellow Iii throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zutiss head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii throws a punch but it's blocked by Zutis.
Hornfellow Iii lands a right hand.
Zutis is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kristaps Zutis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hornfellow Iii misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Hornfellow Iii fails to land.
Hornfellow Iii leaning his opponent against the cage.
Zutis blocks a body shot from Hornfellow Iii.
Zutis jumps guard but Hornfellow Iii stands there with Zutis around his waist. Zutis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hornfellow Iii throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zutiss head.
Hornfellow Iii tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zutis blocking some punches.
Hornfellow Iii working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Zutis has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hornfellow Iii is trying to keep an underhook but Zutis manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Hornfellow Iii tries to get to full guard but Zutis has control of the leg.
Hornfellow Iii is holding on to half guard well.
Zutis throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hornfellow Iii trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zutis is looking for a kimura here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hornfellow Iii is looking to get back to full guard here but Zutis has managed to pass to side control instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zutis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Zutis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Hornfellow Iii's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zutis gets to mount! Hornfellow Iii was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hornfellow Iii tries to hold on but Zutis postures up.
Hornfellow Iii is looking to get to half guard.
Zutis avoids the attempt from Hornfellow Iii to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hornfellow Iii is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Zutis is staying active.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frederick Hornfellow Iii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hornfellow Iii cracks Zutis with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hornfellow Iii scores with a jab. Zutis acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Hornfellow Iii gets a clinch.
Zutis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hornfellow Iii swings wildly with an uppercut but Zutis uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hornfellow Iii lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zutis has Hornfellow Iii pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hornfellow Iii manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Hornfellow Iii on the inside.
Hornfellow Iii misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zutis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hornfellow Iii is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hornfellow Iii lands a left hand.
Zutis blocks an elbow strike from Hornfellow Iii.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii scores with a hook to the body.
Hornfellow Iii digs a right hand underneath Zutis's ribcage. Zutis let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Zutis successfully pulls guard.
Hornfellow Iii content to stall in guard here.
Hornfellow Iii trying to control but Zutis is working from the bottom.
Hornfellow Iii throws a strike but Zutis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Zutis stopping the sweep attempt from Hornfellow Iii.
Hornfellow Iii pulls Zutis in close to his closed guard and prevents Zutis from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii 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.
Hornfellow Iii wants to improve his position but instead Zutis has moved into half guard.
Hornfellow Iii wants to control but Zutis passes into side.
Hornfellow Iii really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zutis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Zutis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hornfellow Iii, who protects the arm well.
Hornfellow Iii taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hornfellow Iii gets back to half guard.
Hornfellow Iii avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zutis.

Zutis is working for a kimura but Hornfellow Iii is defending it quite comfortably.
Zutis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hornfellow Iii tries to get to full guard but Zutis has control of the leg.

Zutis is working for a kimura but Hornfellow Iii is defending it quite comfortably.
Hornfellow Iii is trying to control but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hornfellow Iii is trying to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frederick Hornfellow Iii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hornfellow Iii 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frederick Hornfellow Iii!
Frederick Hornfellow Iii tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.