PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Florisvaldo De Oliveira (ranked 2375 p4p, 1968 weight class) and Philip Ziskie (ranked 38 p4p, 33 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

De Oliveira
vs
Ziskie

175 cm
25
145
8 - 5 - 0

173 cm
33
149
22 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Florisvaldo De Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Philip Ziskie!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Oliveira uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ziskie.
De Oliveira feinted with a counter takedown.
De Oliveira takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
De Oliveira appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ziskie scores with a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Ziskie misses the target.
Ziskie misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie throws a hook to the side of De Oliveira's head but De Oliveira sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
De Oliveira feinted with a counter takedown.
Ziskie 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.
Ziskie tests De Oliveira's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Oliveira on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ziskie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
De Oliveira changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ziskie throws a hook to the side of De Oliveira's head but De Oliveira sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
De Oliveira tries to counter with a takedown but Ziskie is quick to defend against it.
Ziskie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. De Oliveira sees it coming and avoids it easily.
De Oliveira ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A clash of legs there as De Oliveira blocks the low kick.
De Oliveira feinted with a counter takedown.
A low kick from Ziskie misses

and De Oliveira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ziskie won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Oliveira postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
De Oliveira advances to full mount.
De Oliveira thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
De Oliveira misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Oliveira lands a big elbow.
Ziskie is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
De Oliveira fails to move to back control.

De Oliveira swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Ziskie is now in De Oliveira's guard. A big mistake from De Oliveira there, giving up the dominant position!
Ziskie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. De Oliveira is keeping the position for now.

De Oliveira working for a triangle but Ziskie defends it easily.
Ziskie sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

De Oliveira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ziskie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ziskie trying to control but De Oliveira is working from the bottom.
De Oliveira seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Ziskie pushing down on De Oliveira's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ziskie trying to control from half guard but De Oliveira is working away.

Ziskie is looking for a kimura but De Oliveira is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ziskie to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Oliveira is trying to control but Ziskie manages to pass to mount!
De Oliveira is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Oliveira is working hard here to advance position.

Ziskie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but De Oliveira manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
De Oliveira is trying to control Ziskie's posture but Ziskie avoids it.
De Oliveira is looking to regain half guard here but Ziskie keeps moving and retains side control.
De Oliveira can't do much from the bottom here.
Ziskie working the ground and pound from side control.
De Oliveira is looking for a sweep.
De Oliveira prevents Ziskie from moving into mount.
De Oliveira is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ziskie's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

De Oliveira is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ziskie pulls his head out easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Ziskie dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

De Oliveira looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ziskie fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. De Oliveira looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
De Oliveira ducks under a wild hook from Ziskie.
Ziskie feints a jab promting De Oliveira to slip. Ziskie then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. De Oliveira slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ziskie throws an overhand right that lands on De Oliveira's shoulder, as De Oliveira tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Oliveira walks into a jab.
De Oliveira ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ziskie throws a low kick, looking for De Oliveira's leg but De Oliveira calmly moves out of range.
De Oliveira avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
De Oliveira uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
Ziskie will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ziskie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ziskie lands with a hook. De Oliveira tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
De Oliveira takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ziskie missing with a left hand there. De Oliveira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A leg kick checked by De Oliveira.
De Oliveira changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie throws an overhand right that lands on De Oliveira's shoulder, as De Oliveira tries to avoid the shot.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ziskie fakes a jab and throws a low kick but De Oliveira checks it well.
Ziskie misses with a straight right.
Ziskie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A cross from Ziskie lands.
Ziskie throws a low kick but De Oliveira avoids it.
Ziskie lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ziskie throws out a loose jab but De Oliveira uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Oliveira drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ziskie sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ziskie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. De Oliveira sprawls well initially but Ziskie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Ziskie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so De Oliveira is just riding it out for now. Ziskie eventually gives up the hold.

De Oliveira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
De Oliveira wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

De Oliveira is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ziskie pulls his head out easily.

Ziskie wants to work for an arm triangle but De Oliveira is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

De Oliveira actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie is looking to take a break and control but De Oliveira is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

De Oliveira looking for submissions off his back.
De Oliveira is trying to get back to full guard.
Ziskie perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ziskie is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

De Oliveira looking for submissions off his back.

Ziskie is working for a kimura but De Oliveira is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ziskie wants to take a breather but De Oliveira is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Ziskie 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.

De Oliveira ducks right into an uppercut from Ziskie.
De Oliveira uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ziskie.
De Oliveira ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ziskie throws a hook but De Oliveira blocks it.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ziskie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De Oliveira.
Ziskie throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ziskie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming De Oliveira to the mat! De Oliveira manages to get full guard.
Ziskie with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ziskie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Oliveira is looking for a sweep.

Ziskie tries for a kimura but De Oliveira is defending well.

Ziskie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ziskie lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Ziskie working the ground and pound from side control.
De Oliveira is looking to reverse the position.
De Oliveira regains half guard.

Ziskie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
De Oliveira wants to improve his position but Ziskie is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie wants to lay and pray for a moment but De Oliveira keeps working.

Ziskie is trying to work for a kimura but De Oliveira is defending well.

Ziskie seems to be working for a kimura but De Oliveira defends the submission attempt.
De Oliveira taking some punishment here, with Ziskie in his half guard.

De Oliveira actively working from the bottom here.
De Oliveira is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ziskie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ziskie's back!
Ziskie trying to control but not successfully.

Ziskie preventing the rear naked choke attempt from De Oliveira.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Ziskie right now.
Ziskie looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
De Oliveira keeps control of the position as Ziskie tries to break free.

Ziskie defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Ziskie is in bad spot here.

De Oliveira looking to break Ziskie's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Ziskie remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise De Oliveira will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
De Oliveira gets his hands free as Ziskie looks to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

De Oliveira seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Ziskie's chin but Ziskie turns very nicely into De Oliveira's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Ziskie.
De Oliveira is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ziskie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ziskie trying to control the action but De Oliveira is working from the bottom.
De Oliveira is looking for a sweep.
Philip Ziskie has got the better of the ground game so far.
A control attempt from De Oliveira but he's now mounted!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Oliveira tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ziskie controlling from mount.
Ziskie looking to control but De Oliveira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Ziskie really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

De Oliveira avoids the body shot from Ziskie.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ziskie. That's going to slow De Oliveira down.
Ziskie lands a jab to the nose.
Good leg kick by Ziskie.
De Oliveira slips a straight right by Ziskie.
De Oliveira changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ziskie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Philip Ziskie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ziskie throws out a loose jab but De Oliveira uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ziskie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ziskie.
Ziskie shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. De Oliveira eats them both and turns towards Ziskie to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ziskie misses with a low kick.
De Oliveira bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ziskie misses with a two punch combination.
De Oliveira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A swing and a miss from Ziskie.
De Oliveira feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice body kick there by Ziskie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie cracks De Oliveira with an open hand slap.
De Oliveira defending well as Ziskie loads up on a big left hand.
Ziskie loads up on a big right hand but De Oliveira slips the punch.
De Oliveira drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ziskie sprawls and moves away.
Ziskie throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ziskie looks to land a left hand but De Oliveira moved out of range nicely.
De Oliveira attempts a counter takedown but Ziskie avoids it well and moves away.
Ziskie throws a leg kick

and De Oliveira decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ziskie's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Oliveira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ziskie is keeping the position for now.

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

Well, if Ziskie 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.

Ziskie is looking for a kimura here.

De Oliveira is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ziskie pulls his head out easily.

De Oliveira looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
De Oliveira trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ziskie works his foot free and advances to mount.

Ziskie looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
De Oliveira tries to hold on but Ziskie pushes him away.
Ziskie looking to control but De Oliveira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
De Oliveira can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ziskie working the ground and pound effectively.
De Oliveira takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Ziskie dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

De Oliveira walks into a straight right hand from Ziskie.
De Oliveira has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ziskie.
De Oliveira walks into a stiff left hand from Ziskie.
Ziskie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but De Oliveira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
De Oliveira tries to counter with a takedown but Ziskie is quick to defend against it.
Ziskie throws a hook but De Oliveira blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Oliveira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ziskie.
De Oliveira feinted with a counter takedown.
Ziskie thows a leg kick but De Oliveira checks it

and De Oliveira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ziskie won't be happy with that.
An elbow from De Oliveira crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Oliveira tries for a kimura but Ziskie is defending well.
De Oliveira tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ziskie's legs.
Ziskie is trying to improve his position.
De Oliveira throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Ziskie struggling a bit here.
Ziskie is not content to let De Oliveira control the position.
Ziskie is trying to control De Oliveira's posture but De Oliveira avoids it.

De Oliveira goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ziskie has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for De Oliveira but great work by Ziskie.
Florisvaldo De Oliveira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Oliveira is not content to let Ziskie control the position.
De Oliveira tries to buck Ziskie off but Ziskie is having none of it.
Ziskie wants to control but De Oliveira is keeping him busy.
De Oliveira is trying to improve his position.
De Oliveira takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
De Oliveira is looking to reverse the position.
Ziskie working away.
De Oliveira tries to bench press Ziskie off him but Ziskie keeps the position.
Ziskie wants to lay and pray for a moment but De Oliveira keeps working.

Ziskie is trying to get an arm triangle but De Oliveira is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ziskie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, De Oliveira has escaped the position, nice work there.
De Oliveira is looking to reverse the position.
Ziskie wants to lay and pray for a moment but De Oliveira keeps working.
You can see the frustration on De Oliveira's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
De Oliveira sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
De Oliveira is looking to improve his position.

De Oliveira looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ziskie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for De Oliveira!
De Oliveira is working to get back to half guard.
Ziskie scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Ziskie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as De Oliveira is looking to escape.
Ziskie is landing with some decent strikes but De Oliveira is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ziskie avoids the attempt from De Oliveira to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Oliveira is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Philip Ziskie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ziskie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 44:50
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 44:50
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Philip Ziskie!
Philip Ziskie bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.