PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Zinoviev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Zuzhinin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zuzhinin has chosen Гимн СССР as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Zinoviev
vs
Zuzhinin

190 cm
22
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Zinoviev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Zuzhinin!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zinoviev stuffs the takedown attempt from Zuzhinin. Zuzhinin gets slowly back to his feet.
Zuzhinin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zuzhinin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zinoviev lands with an uppercut that bounces Zuzhinin off the cage and back into rage.
Zinoviev jabs at Zuzhinin's body.
Zinoviev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Zinoviev lands a really nice looking cross but Zuzhinin seems unphased.
Zuzhinin throws a nice looking combination but Zinoviev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zuzhinin fails with a takedown attempt.
Zinoviev lands with an overhand left.
Zuzhinin looks gassed!
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!
Zinoviev lands a with a good body shot.
Zuzhinin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zuzhinin ducks under a wild hook from Zinoviev.
Zuzhinin misses with a two punch combination.
Zuzhinin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zinoviev is fending him off so far but Zuzhinin persists. Nope, Zinoviev circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivan Zinoviev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Zuzhinin.
Zuzhinin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zuzhinin lands with an overhand left.
Zuzhinin jabs Zinoviev right on the nose. Zinoviev blinks but takes it well.
Zuzhinin swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Zinoviev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zuzhinin is looking to clinch but Zinoviev is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zuzhinin misses with a looping right.
Zuzhinin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zuzhinin stalks Zinoviev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Zinoviev's face. Zinoviev staggers backwards, shaken.
Zuzhinin misses with a series of wild punches.
Zinoviev misses with a lunging right hand
and Zuzhinin counters with a series of strikes. Zinoviev will be more careful next time no doubt.

Zinoviev is rocked!

Zinoviev gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Oh Zinoviev is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zuzhinin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zinoviev's head.
Zuzhinin cracks Zinoviev with a solid left hand.
Zuzhinin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Zinoviev had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Zuzhinin is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Zinoviev Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Zuzhinin's back instead.

Zinoviev working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Zuzhinin turns into Zinoviev and is now in his guard.
Zuzhinin distracts Zinoviev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zuzhinin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zinoviev's head.
Zuzhinin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Zuzhinin advances to half guard.
Zinoviev seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zinoviev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Zinoviev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zuzhinin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zuzhinin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zuzhinin is sitting in close to Zinoviev's body. Zinoviev has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Zuzhinin is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Zuzhinin is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Zinoviev.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Ivan Zinoviev!