PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zhoo Zhitsoo (ranked 5312 p4p, 4690 weight class) and Michael Platzeck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Platzeck has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Zhitsoo
vs
Platzeck

185 cm
25
171
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
182
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zhoo Zhitsoo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Platzeck!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zhitsoo.
As Zhitsoo backs off Platzeck throws a huge counter combo but Zhitsoo manages to avoid it all.
Zhitsoo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Platzeck attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zhitsoo avoids a punch combination nicely.

Platzeck moves into the clinch.

Platzeck escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Zhitsoo with a lazy takedown attempt

and Platzeck counters with a takedown into side control.
Platzeck looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zhitsoo is avoiding damage well.
Platzeck working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Zhitsoo can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhitsoo is trying to escape the position but Platzeck is controlling the position.
Zhitsoo is not content to let Platzeck control the position.
Zhitsoo can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhitsoo trying to remain calm as Platzeck controls from the top position.
Zhitsoo takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Platzeck trying to control the action but Zhitsoo is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Zhitsoo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zhitsoo is working to avoid the ground and pound but Platzeck connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Platzeck politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Platzeck prefers to stall for the moment though.
You can see the frustration on Zhitsoo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Platzeck is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zhitsoo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zhitsoo defending against the ground and pound.
Platzeck really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zhitsoo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zhitsoo taking a bit of punishment here - Platzeck scoring with strikes.
Platzeck controls the position.
Zhitsoo struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Platzeck creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Zhitsoo is being controlled here.
Platzeck lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The ground and pound from Platzeck seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Platzeck wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zhitsoo keeps working.
Platzeck in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Zhitsoo is rocked!
Zhitsoo wants to control but Platzeck postures up.
Oh Zhitsoo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhitsoo seems to have got his legs back now.
Platzeck wants to control but Zhitsoo is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Zhitsoo's face as Platzeck controls the position.
Zhitsoo is not content to let Platzeck control the position.
An elbow from Platzeck crashes against the mat.
Zhitsoo struggling a bit here.
Zhitsoo gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zhitsoo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Platzeck dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Platzeck attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Platzeck throws a right hand that Zhitsoo ducks under and follows up with a left that Zhitsoo also avoids with ease.
Zhitsoo fails with the takedown.

Zhitsoo tries to keep at a distance but Platzeck has taken the fight into the clinch.

Platzeck has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Zhitsoo is trying to keep an underhook but Platzeck manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Platzeck connects with a nice short shot to Zhitsoo's temple.
Platzeck wants to take a breather but Zhitsoo is having none of it.
Platzeck throwing shots but Zhitsoo is blocking nicely.
Platzeck content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Platzeck looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Zhitsoo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Platzeck is thwarting Zhitsoo's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platzeck seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zhitsoo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zhitsoo trying to hold on to Platzeck's head to control him but Platzeck postures up.
Well, if Platzeck is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Zhitsoo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Zhitsoo.

Zhitsoo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zhitsoo working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Zhitsoo working for a triangle but Platzeck defends it easily.
Michael Platzeck has got the better of the ground game so far.
Platzeck showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zhitsoo wants to control but Platzeck passes easily into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Platzeck connects with a nice short shot to Zhitsoo's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platzeck controlling the pace.
Platzeck not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Platzeck throwing shots but Zhitsoo is blocking nicely.
Still in half guard, Platzeck seems content to control.
Zhitsoo trying to control here.
Well, if Platzeck is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Zhitsoo wants to control but Platzeck is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Platzeck slows the pace down in half guard.

Zhitsoo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Platzeck is trying to control. Zhitsoo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Platzeck throwing shots but Zhitsoo is blocking nicely.
Platzeck with the ground and pound but Zhitsoo uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Zhitsoo working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Platzeck showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zhitsoo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Platzeck swivels and escapes.

Platzeck has closed the distance and engaged Zhitsoo in a clinch.

Platzeck breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zhitsoo is defended easily by Platzeck.
Platzeck throws a body shot but no joy.
Zhitsoo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhoo Zhitsoo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Platzeck looks to land a combination but Zhitsoo avoids it well.
Zhitsoo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Platzeck avoids it really well and circles away.
Zhitsoo shoots in for a takedown but Platzeck shows good takedown defense.
Platzeck tries to bum rush Zhitsoo with a series of wild strikes but Zhitsoo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Platzeck throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhitsoo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Platzeck swivels and escapes.
A combination from Platzeck does no damage.
Platzeck throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Platzeck gets a clinch.
Zhitsoo can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Platzeck stalling.
Zhitsoo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Platzeck pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zhitsoo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Platzeck swivels and escapes.

Platzeck closes the distance and clinches.
The referee calls for Platzeck to work.
Platzeck is leaning against Zhitsoo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Platzeck is trying to trip Zhitsoo. He has hold of a leg but Zhitsoo is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Platzeck persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Platzeck is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zhitsoo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Zhitsoo working for a triangle but Platzeck defends it easily.

Zhitsoo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Platzeck gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Platzeck controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Zhitsoo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Platzeck is aware though and is defending well.
Platzeck content to stall in guard here.
Platzeck throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Platzeck sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Platzeck wants to control from the top but Zhitsoo keeps moving.
Platzeck might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zhitsoo haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Platzeck throws a big elbow that misses.
Platzeck sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Zhoo Zhitsoo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zhitsoo avoids a kick to the body.
Zhitsoo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zhitsoo fails with the takedown.
Platzeck Throws a clean left jab. Platzeck Twirls his body and connects with a Spinning Back Fist that connects flush with Zhitsoo's chin! Zhitsoo crumbles to the ground and Platzeck follows up with some unanswered strikes. It's all over!! Nice standup skills displayed by Platzeck!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Michael Platzeck!