PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zig Zig (ranked 2213 p4p, 2310 weight class) and Olenev Stepanovich (ranked 282 p4p, 292 weight class). Stepanovich has chosen Swallowing Dust as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Zig
vs
Stepanovich

165 cm
21
155
5 - 3 - 0

186 cm
22
165
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zig Zig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Olenev Stepanovich!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zig closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Stepanovich bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Zig looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice jab there from Stepanovich.
Zig with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stepanovich to score with a decent uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zig fails with the takedown.
Stepanovich lands the left hand.
Stepanovich is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The fighters circling - Stepanovich throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Zig looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stepanovich!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zig trying to control the position but Stepanovich is working away.
Zig scoring with punches from side control.
Zig wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stepanovich keeps working.
Zig tries to advance to mount but can't.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stepanovich can do anything to dispel that myth.
Zig trying to control the position but Stepanovich is working away.
Stepanovich tries to escape but Zig is in control.
Zig wants to control but Stepanovich is keeping him busy.
Stepanovich is trying to get back to his feet.

Zig looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Zig advances to full mount.
Stepanovich taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zig trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Stepanovich trying desperately to get to his feet.
Zig has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Zig looking to secure an arm triangle but Stepanovich defends it well.
Stepanovich is trying to stand up.
Zig controlling from the full mount.
Stepanovich is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Zig fails to advance to Stepanovich's back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zig wants to control the pace but Stepanovich is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich is trying to stand up.
Zig tries to control but Stepanovich wriggling away.

Stepanovich bucks Zig off and manages to get back to his feet!
Zig tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stepanovich sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zig somewhat.
Stepanovich let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zig Zig. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zig fails to land the takedown.
Stepanovich throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stepanovich throws a sloppy head kick and Zig moves out of range easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Zig misses its target.
Stepanovich jabs at Zig's body.
Zig takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stepanovich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stepanovich digs a good hook to Zig's body.
Zig fails with the takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Stepanovich.
Zig swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Olenev Stepanovich 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.

Zig fails with a takedown attempt.
Stepanovich looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zig shoots in for a takedown but Stepanovich shows good takedown defense.
Zig tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stepanovich swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zig Zig. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zig takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stepanovich has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Zig looks for a takedown but Stepanovich sprawls well.
Stepanovich throws a hook to the side of Zig's head but Zig sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zig attempts a counter takedown but Stepanovich avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zig gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Stepanovich.
Zig shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stepanovich counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Olenev Stepanovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepanovich takes a swing at Zig's ribcage but misses.
Stepanovich lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zig misses with a takedown attempt
and Stepanovich counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Zig is rocked!
Stepanovich drops Zig with a big left hand! Zig is injured, injured bad! Stepanovich jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Olenev Stepanovich!
Olenev Stepanovich made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I am numba 1 lightweight contender, give me title fight, I deserve dis, you know I deserve dis.'.