PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zara Zhahonova (ranked 4811 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilja Gorbatshov (ranked 4809 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.

Zhahonova
vs
Gorbatshov

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zara Zhahonova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ilja Gorbatshov!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gorbatshov closes the distance and pushes Zhahonova back into the cage.
Gorbatshov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Zhahonova is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gorbatshov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zhahonova to the mat. Zhahonova regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zhahonova tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Zhahonova has his foot on Gorbatshov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gorbatshov works his way back into a safe position though.

Zhahonova is looking for a triangle but Gorbatshov pushes his legs off easily.

Zhahonova is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zhahonova is pulling down on Gorbatshov's head to control his posture.
Zhahonova looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gorbatshov is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhahonova can't keep his opponent in guard - Gorbatshov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gorbatshov is looking to pass Zhahonova's guard but actually Zhahonova recovers to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhahonova is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zhahonova throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zhahonova trying to control the action but Gorbatshov is working from the bottom.
Gorbatshov is controlling Zhahonova's trapped leg to prevent Zhahonova from advancing to side control.
Zhahonova prevents Gorbatshov from improving his position.
Zhahonova misses with a head shot. Gorbatshov uses the momentum to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhahonova trying to control but Gorbatshov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhahonova scoring with some ground and pound.
Gorbatshov is controlling Zhahonova's posture.
Zhahonova trying to control but Gorbatshov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gorbatshov is trying to keep Zhahonova in close.
Zhahonova working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gorbatshov's head.
Zhahonova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Zhahonova postures up in Gorbatshov's guard and throws a big left but Gorbatshov blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbatshov looking for a sweep. Not yet Gorbatshov, not yet.
Zhahonova sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zhahonova's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhahonova throwing strikes from guard but Gorbatshov blocks nicely.

Zhahonova thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zhahonova trying to control the position from guard on top but Gorbatshov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zhahonova goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gorbatshov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zhahonova defends it well.

Gorbatshov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gorbatshov is looking to stand up but Zhahonova won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zhahonova throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gorbatshov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zhahonova is proving hard to escape from.
Gorbatshov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zhahonova wants to sweep but no luck.
Gorbatshov trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhahonova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhahonova manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gorbatshov manages to get himself to full guard.

Zhahonova postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhahonova controlling from the top position.
Zhahonova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zara Zhahonova will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gorbatshov shoots in and gets a takedown into Zhahonova's guard.

Gorbatshov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gorbatshov wants to control from the top but Zhahonova keeps moving.
Zhahonova controls Gorbatshov momentarily but Gorbatshov frees himself.
Zhahonova wants to hit a sweep here but Gorbatshov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zhahonova there!
Gorbatshov prevents Zhahonova from getting the reversal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorbatshov controlling from mount.
Gorbatshov landing punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbatshov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Zhahonova tries to lock up and control but Gorbatshov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Gorbatshov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Zhahonova has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Zhahonova tries to reverse the position but Gorbatshov maintains control.
Zhahonova tries to hold on but Gorbatshov pushes him away.
Gorbatshov with shots to the head and body - Zhahonova looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gorbatshov wants to control the pace but Zhahonova is squirming around nicely.
Gorbatshov tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Zhahonova tries to hold on but Gorbatshov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhahonova is trying desperately to improve position.
Ilja Gorbatshov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gorbatshov controlling the pace for now.
Zhahonova is trying to escape the mount.
Zhahonova regains half guard.
Zhahonova regains full guard. Nicely done.

Zhahonova throws his legs up looking for a submission but Gorbatshov uses it to pass to side control.
Zhahonova is trying to improve his position.
Zhahonova regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbatshov tries to stand but can't do so whilst Zhahonova controls his leg.
Zhahonova is trying to get back to full guard.
Gorbatshov working the head and body with strikes.
Zhahonova missing with punches from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gorbatshov lands with a punch from half guard.
Zhahonova moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Zhahonova had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gorbatshov defends it easily.
Gorbatshov content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbatshov trying to control but Zhahonova is working from the bottom.

Zhahonova is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Zhahonova working for a triangle but Gorbatshov defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zhahonova looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilja Gorbatshov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gorbatshov moves into range and clinches up with Zhahonova.
Gorbatshov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gorbatshov working hard to break the clinch.
Zhahonova drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gorbatshov gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Gorbatshov has picked Zhahonova up - he's going for a ride! Gorbatshov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorbatshov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zhahonova is trying to maintain the position but Gorbatshov is very close to passing his half guard.
Zhahonova is pressing down on Gorbatshov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbatshov wants to pass the guard but Zhahonova is keeping the position.
Zhahonova wants to hit a sweep here but Gorbatshov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zhahonova there!
Zhahonova is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gorbatshov content just to control the position here.
Gorbatshov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gorbatshov looking for a guillotine from mount but Zhahonova is having none of it.
Gorbatshov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Zhahonova tries to reverse the position but Gorbatshov maintains control.
Zhahonova is working hard here to advance position.
Gorbatshov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Zhahonova can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Gorbatshov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zhahonova tries to reverse the position but Gorbatshov maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gorbatshov is working for a guillotine from mount but Zhahonova frees his head quite easily.
Zhahonova manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Zhahonova wants to get back to full guard.

Gorbatshov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zhahonova doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gorbatshov.

Zhahonova looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gorbatshov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zhahonova does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
Gorbatshov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gorbatshov wants to control but Zhahonova is keeping him busy.
Zhahonova trying to control from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gorbatshov in particular looking to stall.

Zhahonova looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gorbatshov in particular looking to stall.
Gorbatshov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilja Gorbatshov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gorbatshov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilja Gorbatshov!