PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Michael MP (ranked 3282 p4p, 294 weight class) and Yayi Zinsou (ranked 4218 p4p, 356 weight class). MP comes to the ring accompanied by Whitesnake - Is This Love?. Zinsou has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

MP
vs
Zinsou

205 cm
29
274 lbs
12 - 19 - 0

199 cm
31
273 lbs
14 - 26 - 0

Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 12 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael MP!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yayi Zinsou!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MP throws a head kick but Zinsou moves out of range.
Zinsou has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zinsou fakes high and swings low for a body shot but MP manages to avoid it.
MP misses with a double jab.
MP waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zinsou.
Zinsou missing with a left hand there. MP was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
MP stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Zinsou looks winded!
Zinsou throws a body punch but MP moves out of range.
We've been told by MP's head coaches at FIERCE - 15 Elite Coaches that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
MP throws a right and a left that Zinsou avoids nicely.
MP scores with a crisp jab that stopped Zinsou in his tracks.
MP getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
MP throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
MP will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MP throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zinsou.
MP plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Yayi Zinsou has been cut.
MP lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zinsou circles away quickly and effectively.
MP uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zinsou.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zinsou gets a clinch.

Zinsou manages to break the clinch.
MP throws a head kick that misses.
MP scores with a one two! Zinsou had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Zinsou gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zinsou managing to block the knees to the body from MP.
Zinsou has had enough of the clinch but MP keeps him there for the moment.
Zinsou lands a left hand.
MP pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Zinsou effectively controlling the action here.

Zinsou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zinsou throws a right hand that misses
and MP counters with a nice uppercut.
MP throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinsou checks a leg kick nicely.

Zinsou gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MP avoiding damage.
Zinsou tries to break free but MP pushes him back against the ropes.

MP manages to break the clinch.
MP throws a head kick but Zinsou moves out of range.

Zinsou instigates a clinch.
Zinsou looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The referee is keeping an eye on MP - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Zinsou is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Zinsou takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael MP dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! MP's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

MP throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zinsou connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zinsou dodges the punch combination from MP.
MP throws a lazy head kick
and Zinsou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
MP getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
MP throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zinsou clinches.
Zinsou is trying to break free.

MP breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MP tries to bum rush Zinsou with a series of wild strikes but Zinsou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zinsou swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zinsou cracks a nice hook into MP's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MP cracks the inside of Zinsou's front leg.
Nice shot by MP.
Zinsou dodges the punch combination from MP.
Zinsou is breathing heavily.
MP throws a sloppy head kick and Zinsou moves out of range easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot by Zinsou.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MP misses with a few strikes there.
Zinsou misses with a straight right.
MP throws a series of punches but Zinsou avoids them all with ease.
MP lands a head kick. Zinsou smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
MP throws a head kick but Zinsou moves out of range.
Zinsou dodges the punch combination from MP.
We've been informed that Zinsou has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
MP misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zinsou throws out a counter right but MP avoids it with no problem.
Michael MP seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zinsou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Zinsou instigates a clinch.
Zinsou lands with a right to the head.
MP throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Zinsou wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zinsou is looking to control MP's arms but MP gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zinsou has his back to the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MP throws a knee to the head but misses.
Zinsou is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Zinsou tries a body shot but MP blocks it.
MP pushes off an throws an elbow but Zinsou leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Zinsou is trying to break the clinch but MP has him pressed against the ropes.
The referee calls for MP to work.
Zinsou scores with a hook to the body.
MP blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
MP lands a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zinsou's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael MP dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

MP throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zinsou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big left from Zinsou misses.

Zinsou clinches up against the ropes.
MP blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
MP prevents a body shot from Zinsou.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from MP.

Zinsou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zinsou ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MP moves away.
Zinsou swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zinsou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

MP gets tackled into the ropes by Zinsou. Zinsou maintains the clinch.
Zinsou takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MP leaning against his opponent.

MP pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
MP throws a nice looking combination but Zinsou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
MP misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zinsou clinches with his opponent.
Zinsou wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zinsou wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Michael MP is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zinsou looking to slow down the pace here.
MP is stalling here.

Zinsou escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MP avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zinsou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by MP.
Zinsou throws a hook but MP avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MP swinging wildly here.

Zinsou gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zinsou is trying to stall.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zinsou is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but MP is keeping busy.

MP breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Michael MP is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MP staying out of range there.
MP throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zinsou bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of MP's head.
Yayi Zinsou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
MP pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yayi Zinsou comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MP 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael MP!
Michael MP 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.