PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Zentsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cross David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Zentsov
vs
David

190 cm
21
235 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

180 cm
23
245 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrei Zentsov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Cross David!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zentsov cracks David with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Zentsov clinches.
Zentsov is looking to control David's arms but David gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zentsov has his back to the ropes.
David drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zentsov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
David drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zentsov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zentsov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
David takes a kick to the side of the head.
Zentsov lands with a hook. David tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Zentsov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by David.
Zentsov works over David's head and body with a nice combination.

Zentsov closes the distance and pushes David back into the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by David as Zentsov tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zentsov can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
David goes for a takedown attempt but Zentsov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Andrei Zentsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cross David.
Zentsov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Zentsov lands with an uppercut that bounces David off the ropes and back into rage.
David takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice jab there from Zentsov.
Zentsov lands a jab-cross combination.
Zentsov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
David shoots in for a takedown but Zentsov shows good takedown defense.
Zentsov with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zentsov tries to clinch but David moves out of range.
Zentsov scores with the left hand. David knows he should have avoided that one.
Zentsov throws out a powerful jab.
Zentsov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. David looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Zentsov instigates a clinch.
David tries to pull guard but Zentsov holds him up against the ropes and eventually David drops back down to his feet.
Zentsov looking to slow down the pace here.
Zentsov scores with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Zentsov to work.
David tries to score a body lock takedown but Zentsov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
David tries to score a body lock takedown but Zentsov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zentsov taking a breather.
Zentsov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A knee to the head by Zentsov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov is looking to control David's arms but David gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zentsov has his back to the ropes.
David jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zentsov walks away with a smile on his face. David gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zentsov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zentsov keeps David at a distance using the push kick.

Zentsov clinches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Zentsov seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but David is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Andrei Zentsov.
Zentsov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zentsov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

David looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
David wants to pass the guard but Zentsov is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zentsov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
David is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zentsov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. David manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zentsov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
David pulls Zentsov in to control the position.
Zentsov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Zentsov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

David takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
No luck for David with that takedown attempt.

Zentsov has closed the distance and engaged David in a clinch.
David tries to pull guard but Zentsov holds him up against the ropes and eventually David drops back down to his feet.
Zentsov stalling in the clinch.
Zentsov taking a breather.
David takes an elbow to the temple.
David is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zentsov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Andrei Zentsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cross David.
Zentsov stalling in the clinch but David improves position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Andrei Zentsov.

David decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
David is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
David trying to control but Zentsov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
David throws a strike but Zentsov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zentsov tries to stand but David is controlling from the bottom.
David is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
David keeping moving, preventing Zentsov from controlling successfully.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for David with that takedown attempt.
Zentsov cracks David with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Zentsov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from David.
A cross from Zentsov lands.
Zentsov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Zentsov has managed to clinch.
David is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zentsov wants to stall.
David is trying to maintain a safe position but Zentsov gets an underhook and turns David into the ropes.

David wants the takedown. Zentsov is fighting it off but David persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Zentsov's guard against the ropes.
David throws a strike but Zentsov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Zentsov wants to pass the guard but David is keeping the position.
Zentsov wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
David looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zentsov is one step ahead there.
David keeping full guard, as Zentsov tries to pass.
Zentsov slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from David.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zentsov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. David doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zentsov.
Zentsov wants to stand up but David has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Zentsov trying to pass the guard but David defending well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zentsov lands a jab to the nose.
Zentsov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

David shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than David was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Andrei Zentsov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Zentsov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
David fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zentsov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

David feints and as Zentsov raises his hands in defense, David changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zentsov keeping moving, preventing David from controlling successfully.
Zentsov pulls David in close to prevent any damage.
David throws and elbow that misses. Zentsov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in David's guard. Nice move by Zentsov!
Zentsov wants to stand but David has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zentsov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zentsov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of David is proving hard to escape from.
David wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

David darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
David is trying to control. Zentsov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
David with a momentary lay and pray from 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. David connects with a nice short shot to Zentsov's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zentsov keeps working.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Zentsov trying to control from the bottom.
David missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
David is trying to control the action in half guard but Zentsov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zentsov blocking the ground and pound attempt from David.
Zentsov is staying active underneath David, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zentsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
David shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zentsov defends it nicely.
David shoots for a takedown but Zentsov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Andrei Zentsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Andrei Zentsov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cross David.
David takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Zentsov gets caught flat footed, as David shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zentsov is on top in guard.

David is working an open guard so Zentsov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cross David has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrei Zentsov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zentsov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David keeps the fight on the outside.
David takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
David gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Zentsov connects with the punch.
Zentsov scores with a hook to the body. David takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zentsov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
David shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zentsov as he avoids it easily.
Zentsov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zentsov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Zentsov misses with a series of wild punches.

Zentsov clinches with his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andrei Zentsov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zentsov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Zentsov!