PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gavin Mexi (ranked 4425 p4p, 4424 weight class) and Adam Zadrotov (ranked 0 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.

Mexi
vs
Zadrotov

175 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
150
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gavin Mexi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Adam Zadrotov!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mexi blocks a head kick by Zadrotov.
Zadrotov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mexi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mexi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zadrotov swivels and escapes.
Zadrotov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mexi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zadrotov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mexi.

Zadrotov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mexi is trying to defend but Zadrotov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Mexi has one foot on Zadrotov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zadrotov throws a big shot that misses.
Mexi shoots in for a takedown but Zadrotov shows good takedown defense.
Zadrotov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gavin Mexi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mexi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zadrotov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mexi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mexi is looking to reverse the position.
Mexi can't do much from the bottom here.

Zadrotov stands up and beckons Mexi to his feet.
Mexi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zadrotov defends well and Mexi ends up having to push Zadrotov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Zadrotov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Zadrotov is nestled in close to Mexi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zadrotov is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zadrotov stands up and beckons Mexi to join him on the feet.
Mexi avoids the head kick by Zadrotov.
Zadrotov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mexi's waist but Mexi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zadrotov off to one side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mexi misses with a takedown attempt - Zadrotov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mexi is breathing heavily.
Mexi avoids the head kick by Zadrotov.
Mexi goes for a double leg but Zadrotov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zadrotov continues to drive forward.
Zadrotov jumps guard but Mexi stands there with Zadrotov around his waist. Zadrotov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Zadrotov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zadrotov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Mexi moves into the clinch.

Mexi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zadrotov misses the body punch
and Mexi counters with a nice uppercut.
Zadrotov tries for a takedown but Mexi circles away easily
and Mexi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mexi has a takedown stuffed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mexi.
Mexi scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zadrotov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mexi is just out of range.
Zadrotov looks to clinch
and Mexi counters with a two punch combo.
Mexi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zadrotov defends it nicely.
Mexi shoots in for a takedown but Zadrotov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Zadrotov rushes Mexi and presses him up against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zadrotov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mexi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Zadrotov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mexi just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Adam Zadrotov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mexi misses with a takedown attempt - Zadrotov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mexi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Zadrotov drives through and clinches with Mexi against the cage.
Mexi stops a takedown attempt from Zadrotov.
Mexi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Zadrotov is defending well.
A right handed body shot lands from Mexi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mexi is working for takedown but Zadrotov is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gavin Mexi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still in the clinch, Mexi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mexi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Zadrotov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mexi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Zadrotov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zadrotov trying to stall but Mexi improves his position.
Mexi wants a takedown but no success here.
Zadrotov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Zadrotov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mexi.

Mexi ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mexi no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mexi is on top in guard.

Zadrotov looking for a guillotine here but Mexi defends easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Zadrotov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zadrotov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zadrotov keeping moving, preventing Mexi from controlling successfully.

Mexi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Mexi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zadrotov sprawls well. Zadrotov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mexi gets slowly back to his feet.
Adam Zadrotov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mexi fails with the takedown.
Mexi closes the distance and clinches up with Zadrotov, looking for a takedown. Mexi pushes Zadrotov against the cage but Zadrotov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mexi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zadrotov's waist but Zadrotov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mexi off to one side.

Zadrotov gets the takedown into side control.
A lull in the action here as Zadrotov stalls from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mexi throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.

Zadrotov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Mexi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zadrotov swivels and escapes.
Mexi dives in and grabs Zadrotov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zadrotov pushes down on Mexi's head and hops out.

Zadrotov gets a double leg takedown into Mexi's guard.
Adam Zadrotov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zadrotov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mexi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zadrotov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mexi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Zadrotov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Horrible takedown attempt by Mexi or perhaps it was just good defense by Zadrotov, which made it look bad.
Zadrotov throws a fast counter high kick but Mexi manages to duck under it in time.
Zadrotov throws a lazy right hand but Mexi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mexi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Mexi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zadrotov avoids it really well and circles away.
Zadrotov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice sprawl there from Zadrotov as Mexi shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gavin Mexi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zadrotov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Mexi has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Zadrotov is on him like a limpet, forcing Mexi back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mexi is trying to pull guard but Zadrotov has him pressed against the cage.
Mexi has Zadrotov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zadrotov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zadrotov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mexi tries to pull guard but Zadrotov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zadrotov tries to pull guard but Mexi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Zadrotov jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mexi is fighting to break Zadrotov's control of his arms but Zadrotov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Zadrotov working for submissions but it's allowed Mexi to get to half guard.
Zadrotov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mexi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zadrotov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zadrotov trying to get back to full guard but Mexi takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Zadrotov wants to hold on but Mexi pushes him away.
Zadrotov blocking the ground and pound.

Zadrotov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mexi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zadrotov is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Zadrotov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mexi.
Mexi trying to control but Zadrotov is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mexi avoids the attempt from Zadrotov to control.

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.
Mexi wants to control the pace but Zadrotov is squirming around nicely.
Zadrotov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mexi controlling his opponent.
Mexi tries to control but Zadrotov wriggling away.
Gavin Mexi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adam Zadrotov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mexi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gavin Mexi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zadrotov 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Zadrotov!